Westchester Flames Announce Return of Key Players from 2003

The Westchester Flames today finalized their roster for the 2004 season, bringing back several key players from the 2003 season, and adding new young local talent.

Highlighting the list is 2003 leading scorer Evaud Thompson, who scored the Flames lone goal in the 2003 championship match. Thompson also scored twice in the Flames previous championship match in 2001. Solidifying the goalkeeping position, Guillermo Valencia returns and expects to see more action in 2004. On defense, a former Flames player from the 2001 PDL Championship team, Frank Gizzo joins the team for the first time in the professional ranks. A strong defender, Gizzo looks to add needed speed to the back line. Midfielder Daniel Garcia returns to the Flames after taking a year off. The midfield would not be complete without Fredy Nava. The 2003 minutes played leader, Nava provides great energy for the team.

New to the Flames this year, but no stranger to them at all, is midfielder/defender Mario Gallo, who last played for the New York Freedoms, a long-time rival. One of the new bright spots is local product Mauricio Nares, only 18 years old. The Mexican-born midfielder has come through the FC Westchester youth organization, now directly affiliated with the Flames. Fellow Mexican, Jorge Roman should join Nares in midfield. Also having come through the FC program is midfielder Julio Nosta. Paraguayan Roberto Esquivel should provide additional solid play in midfield.

Two players out of college and looking to make an immediate impact with the team are Christopher Musinski, defender, and Julian Vergara, midfielder. Musinksi comes from Stony Brook University, and Vergara hails from St. Thomas University in Miami, FL.

Returning players for this year include midfielders Ernest Inneh and Juan Gomez, and forwards Kwame and Chikudi Richardson.

04/23/2004