ANTIGONISH, NS - X-Men soccer forward Michael Marousek has been nominated by the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Men’s Soccer Coaches Association as one of four candidates to attend the United Soccer Leagues (USL) PRO Combine in Florida this coming January. With 42 teams and close to 1000 athletes participating in CIS men’s soccer, to be selected for the Combine is a prestigious honor.
The USL PRO Combine provides an opportunity for elite men’s soccer players to showcase their talents for both domestic and international scouts and professional coaches. The sixth edition of the USL PRO Combine is set for January 26-29, 2012 in Bradenton, Florida.
“Michael Marousek has had very distinguished career at StFX, finishing his career with two CIS first team all-Canadian awards, a conference MVP award, and the third highest standing in career goals in AUS history,” comments X-Men soccer head coach Graham Kennedy. “All of this aside, he is simply the complete package because of his character, his athleticism, and his work rate and I am confident that he will earn himself a professional contract.”
2012 marks the first time that the CIS will be sending athletes to the Combine which will feature 102 of the top players from North America and abroad hoping to land a professional contract. To date, nearly 150 participants have gone on to sign professional contracts with USL, MLS and international squads since the debut of the combine in 2006. Those selected for participation in the USL PRO Combine will be selected based on their playing background and their soccer achievements.
"I am very grateful for this opportunity," comments Marousek. "I have dedicated last five years to the soccer program here at StFX and now it is time to prove myself elsewhere and I am very much looking forward to this challenge. I have almost two months to get in best shape of my life, I can't wait to represent StFX while competing against top North American players."
Marousek, a native of Prague, Czech Republic, finishes his five-year StFX career as the all-time leading goal scorer in X-Men history as well as third overall in AUS history with 43. A CIS first team all-Canadian this past season and in 2010, he was the AUS nominee for the prestigious CIS BLG Award last spring for the top male athlete in the country.
A five-time AUS all-star, the captain of the X-Men was the 2010 AUS Most Valuable Player, and was honored as the 2010-11 StFX Male Athlete of the Year. The past season Michael was second in conference scoring with 12 goals and he lead the league in both total shots and shots per game. He played the 2011 summer soccer season with the Victoria Highlanders in the Premier Development League.
The 2012 USL PRO Combine will take place in Bradenton, Florida at the world class IMG Academy, home of the US Under-17 Men’s National Team residency program from January 26th to 29th.
(30)