Video of press conference with Coach Ramirez
FPU begins the 2010 season with many new faces, having lost 13 players from last year's team including seven starters. Despite the losses, the team boasts a dynamic blend of international athletes and local talent, and brings in 14 new faces.
The returning starters include two of last season’s top goal-scorers in sophomore Paul Islas and junior Guilherme Machado. Islas has the speed and skill to match up with the GSAC’s top defenders. Machado plays more of a defensive position, but his size makes him a threat to score on headers.
The other two starters coming back, seniors Mihailo Jovanovic and Kashif Siddiqi, will help shore up the defense. Jovanovic had played more of an attacking role throughout his FPU career, but will start at center back.
“We need his height, his leadership and his strength in the back,” said coach Jaime Ramirez. “He can play anywhere.”
They'll be joined by a strong group of incoming freshmen and transfers, as well as junior midfielder Shawn Grieco who returns from injury.
“I like our core of returners and we bring in a level of experience in Fabricio [Nazare],” said Ramirez. “We have depth, especially in the midfield.”
Nazare, a junior college transfer originally from Brazil, will likely step into a starting role right away and help anchor the midfield. He highlights a recruiting class that includes fellow Brazilians Gustavo Da Silva and Bruno Pessoa, both freshmen who will compete for time at forward.
The Sunbirds also bring in a collection of local talent that will contribute right off the bat. Julian Mattaliano, a freshman from Sunnyside High School, adds speed to that group of forwards. Michael Kuehter (West Hills College), Alexis Hernandez (Monache HS) and Jordan Cardoza (Tulare Union) give the team significant depth in the midfield.
Newcomers will also play a major role in the team’s defense. Bullard High defensive standout Chris Young and goalie Steven Waite, a sophomore CSU Stanislaus transfer, will vie for time right away.
Waite and sophomore Gildardo Villaruel each started nearly half their team’s games as freshmen, giving the Sunbirds both youth and experience in goal.
Returning senior Fino Ucelo and sophomore Jorge Dominguez give the team plenty of options at midfield. Experience will also help anchor the defense as senior Adrian Gonzalez, sophomore Juan Olavarri and redshirt freshman Luke Tyler return.
The Sunbirds will have to offset the losses of Vitor Machado and Rodrigo Vianna, who combined for 22 goals and 14 assists last season. FPU was among the NAIA’s leaders in goals scored in 2009, but gave up nearly as many as they scored.
Despite those losses, the Sunbirds have a talented core to work with.
“With as many attacking players as we have, it’ll be interesting to see how we come together,” said Ramirez. “It’s all about finding the right combinations to create scoring opportunities.”
2010 Schedule
FPU’s 2010 schedule is a tough one and includes games against NCAA D1 Sacramento State and NCAA D2 Sonoma State, who begins the season at #22 in the NCAA rankings. The team travels to Nebraska, where it will face #15 Hastings and #21 Bellevue, then hosts Holy Names and Menlo to round out the non-conference slate.
The GSAC features three teams in the preseason top 25. The Master’s begins the season at #2, but loses some key players from its national runner-up team. Biola is ranked #8 and Azusa Pacific #13. Vanguard, Westmont and Concordia received votes. The Sunbirds did not receive a vote in the preseason poll for the first time since 2005.
FPU begins its conference schedule on September 25, traveling to Hope International. The GSAC home opener is September 29 against the second-ranked Mustangs. The Sunbirds also get Concordia, Cal Baptist, Biola and Point Loma Nazarene at home.
The national tournament will be played in Orange Beach, Alabama from November 29-December 4.