| Andre Press Sports Ticker Sudwerk Sets Spring Roster DAVIS, Calif., April 17 (AP) -- FC Sudwerk has signed goal-scoring sensation Kevin Khalaf, acquired from the Dutch powerhouse Ajax, to round out its spring roster, club officials announced on Wednesday. The team will carry 20 players in its inaugural season in the Davis Adult Recreational Soccer League (DARSL). Sudwerk begins play on Friday night with a matchup against the club Amula. While club officials touted the addition of Khalaf and boasted about the solid corps of women players the team picked up in the off season, they downplayed the loss of defensive standouts David Raybould and Andrew LaMar, who are sidelined with injuries. "I know this is a team of high-quality players that will work well together," said Ramal Werdna, FC Sudwerk's president and CEO. "We can certainly weather one or two injuries." Raybould is suffering from strained ankles and could be back in the lineup in two weeks, although its likely the English international who revitalized Sudwerk's defense last fall will require a longer layoff and could be forced to limit his playing time once he returns. LaMar, who missed most of the winter season due to a nagging knee injury, is awaiting an MRI. Club officials said there's an 80 percent chance he'll need surgery and be out for the entire season. Even without the two defenders, the team is loaded with talent. Sudwerk will again rely on midfielders Andreas Agocs and Armando Murrieta to orchestrate the club's playmaking and turn to strikers Bruce Berry, Ralph Garcia and Joncarlo Mark for goal scoring. Murrieta sustained a slight tear in his ACL during winter season but will be able to play. He plans to have surgery to repair the damage following the spring season. In addition, the club has signed Khalaf, Jeannine Henderson of WUSA's CyberRays and Summer Williamson, a U.S. national team reserve, to boost scoring firepower. For midfield, Sudwerk has acquired Randi Field, of WUSA's Washington Freedom, and Francine Mejia, a member of the Colombian national team. The red-and-black will also feature Aaron Stephens, who was transferred from England's West Ham United, and Abby Nalwalker, of WUSA's San Diego Spirit. The two will play both defense and midfield. As for Sudwerk's defense, it will be lead by two players who had excellent winter seasons, Renee Wurschmidt and Patrick Chandler. To assist them, the club has added Jami Rubin-Mark, who is coming out of retirement and once had a stint in a women's pro league in Italy, and John Sylvain of French side AS Monaco. In goal, Sudwerk will stick with the fabulous tandem of Chris Lief and Joe Cardoza. ## |