Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release - www.crystalpalaceusa.com

Thursday, February 28, 2008

BALTIMORE, MD -- Crystal Palace Baltimore has invited seven players who participated in the January and February Combines/Tryouts to preseason training with the senior squad, beginning March 3rd 2008. They will compete for two available spots on the squad.

A total of eighty players registered for the two weekend tryouts and Palace Baltimore Co-Managers Pete Medd and Jim Cherneski commended all of the trialists for their effort and sportsmanship.

“I feel this past weekend went very well. The attitude was tremendous - I was really impressed. It’s the hardest part of the job, but the reality is there are way more players than available contracts,” said Medd. “There were definitely pro-level players out there that we don’t have room for.”

Cherneski added “The guys put in a great effort. They played three full matches in three days, which is hard to do; but it was a good opportunity for us to get an extensive look at all of them.”

Players invited back to compete for the one open field position on the squad:
• Dia Hunte (USA) – played at U.D.C. and Chesapeake Dragons (PDL)
• Paul Robson (UK) – played for Charlton Athletic (UK) and Doncaster Rovers (UK)
• David Feazell (USA) – played at UMBC
• Jaka Jakopic (Slovenia) – played for NK Factor (Slovenia) and Fervorosa (Japan)
• Olivier Tchachoua (Cameroon) – played for Canon de Yaoundé (Cameroon)

Goalkeepers invited back to compete for the backup goalkeeper spot:
• Faouzi Bendaoud (USA) – played at Mercer County C.C. and for Go Soccer FC (GSSL)
• Dustyn Brim (USA) – played for Barnet (UK), Wingate & Finchley (UK) and New Orleans Shell Shockers (PDL)

Additional new player signings are expected in the coming weeks and will be announced once they have been finalized.