Off the Pitch with Coach Ray Reid: August 22, 2008

The University of Connecticut started his pre-season practice on Wednesday, August 13, 2008. The Huskies then traveled to Michigan and captured a 2-1 win in a pre-season match.

How fast time has passed from last season! It seemed like only yesterday we were putting the wraps on a highly successful 2007 season.

Four Huskies have graduated and are now moving on to other phases in their lives. Julius James was drafted ninth overall in the 2008 MLS draft and is presently playing with FC Toronto. Ryan Cordeiro was drafted by DC United with the number 33rd pick and is presently played with DC United.

Chukwudi Chijindu was in training camp with Chivas America and was offered a contract, only to turn it down and is presently trying out in Greece. Louis Jones is presently studying Medicine at the University of Mississippi. These four Huskies will be surely missed for their accomplishments both on and off the field.

We had a great announcement this week. HOK Sports, Inc of Kansas City has been hired to provide scoping, programming services and design for our new soccer stadium. The future venue will be one of the best in the nation. We are very excited and will be meeting with them shortly. We have already started our fundraising efforts.

We will open up the home portion of our schedule this Saturday, August 23rd in the final pre-season match with Hofstra University at 7:00PM at Morrone Stadium. We hope that you can come out and support the 2008 Huskies.

Please also feel free to stop by the FOS Membership table outside the Friends of Soccer Tent. Join the fans that have helped Morrone Stadium be the 4th best venue in the country (both professional and collegiate) to view a soccer match at.