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Stone Sports Management would like to congratulate Canadian-Israeli Goalkeeper Tomer Chencinski on being one step closer to becoming the first Canadian GK to play in the Israeli Premier League with current league leaders Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Agent Justin Stone and Tomer Chencinski will travel to Israel to conclude personal terms and for the latter to go through medical testing.
This concludes months of negotiating between the clubs that was finalized early on Christmas morning Eastern Standard Time:
His transfer comes at the heels of Orebro declaring Tomer as their #1 GK going into the 2013 season. Tomer finished the season very strong earning four Man of the Match performances in the last six matches.
At this time, Stone Sports Management would like to thank all who were involved in transfer discussions including Maccabi Tel Aviv Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff and Orebro SK's Director of Football Magnus Skoldmark for their efforts, especially around the holiday season.
Stay tuned for more information but for now enjoy some media from today's announcement as well as Tomer's Thank You to the Orebro SK fans:
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Official Announcement
Orebro SK's Official Announcement
Israel's Top Sport's Mobile Site - Sport5
Phoenix FC Signs FC Tampa Bay’s All-Time Leading Goal Scorer Striker Aaron King
Washington, D.C. (November 19, 2012) – USL PRO Expansion Franchise Phoenix FC signed FC Tampa Bay’s All-Time leading goal scorer Aaron King to a one year contract. King is no stranger to being a part of an expansion franchise as he scored 21 regular season goals for FC Tampa Bay in 2010 (12 goals, 2 assists) and 2011 (9 goals, 5 assists) which ranked 3rd and 5th respectively in the league. Phoenix FC jumped at the chance to sign King once they knew he was available to establish a veteran presence amongst the club’s strikers that includes Scottish legend Darren Mackie. King is excited to get focus on 2013, “I am very happy to be a part of Phoenix FC and their expansion year and be a part of the Phoenix community. I have only heard great things about the organization and city. I had great conversations with Coach Robertson prior to signing and fully expect a competitive team that will fight for a Playoff spot in 2013. I cannot wait to get out on the pitch and help the team anyway that I can. Preseason cannot come quick enough!”
The 28-year old striker signs after missing the entire 2012 season due to a February Achilles injury suffered while on a European trial. However, King has devoted hours to recover and come back even stronger ahead of Phoenix FC’s February preseason. “I want to thank my family and fiancee for all the support they gave me during my recovery. I also want to thank all the doctors, nurses and physical therapists who provided me with the treatment necessary to be in this position to sign and be ready well in advance of preseason,” reflected King.
King had no shortage of options during the offseason as he was able to recently train with an MLS club and several European clubs that monitored him after the 2011 season remained interested to bring him in on trial. However, he elected to sign with Phoenix FC and focus on achieving another productive goal scoring season. Phoenix FC fans can take a look at King's FC Tampa Bay highlights and expect similar production in 2013.
After starting out strong and making his Allsveskan debut with back to back clean sheets vs Mjallby AIF and 2011 Allsvenskan champions Helsingborgs, Chencinski returned to Orebro as the #1 goalkeeper choice in Round 25, and he did not disappiont. Here are his 2012 1st Half Season Highlights:
Chencinski made an instant impact earning Man of the Match against 2012 Allsvenskan Champions Elfsborg, 3rd Place Malmo FF and 6th Place Helsingborg. He finished T-4th in Allsvenskan Save % and was tops in the league at saves per goal. Click HERE for an interesting Q and A.
Numerouss clubs have taken notice of his stellar play to end the season, so it will be interesting to see what happens with Chencinski as Orebro unfortunately suffered relegation. Please also enjoy his 2012 2nd Half Highlights:
Stone Sports Management would like to congrulate Mason Trafford and IFK Mariehamn for their best ever league finish and points. The Aland club finished 4th in the league on 51 points just outside a European position. However, the club earned the league's Fair Player award, and they will wait to find out if they in fact will become part of European competition.
The American-Canadian Defender started and played every minute eligible for IFKM this season mostly employed as a left back. However, he also played his previous left central position seven occassions and the club posted four clean sheets during those matches. Trafford's contract ends with the 2012 season and discussions have started about him returning to IFK Mariehamn. Stay tuned to find out his next destination and enjoy his two highlight videos from this past season.
SSM would like to congratulate Charleston Battery midfielder and 2011 and 2012 Team MVP Nicholas Paterson for winning the 2012 USL PRO Championship. The Charleston Battery went on to defeat the Wilmington Hammerheads 1-0 in front of 4963 fans at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina. Click HERE for the official press release from the game.
SSM's President and Players' Agent Justin Stone traveled to take part of the weekend festivities and spent time with Nicki Paterson exploring Charleston and relaxing prior to the match. Justin Stone had a chance to visit the famous 3 Lions Pub and take in some of the great memorabelia located throughout the bar which brought back some very good memories in soccer history including Manchester United's 1999 Treble winning side.
The Battery dominated play and Paterson lined up in his usual free role in midfield. Paterson created a few scoring chances both attempting shots on goal and providng good looks for his teammates. He also ran constant breaking up plays and defending well.
Once the final whistle blew, the local crowd applauded with excitement to see the Battery finish the season with the league's top prize. Here are a few photos during the celebration:
The team stayed around on the pitch as the Battery fans were able to celebrate on the field and get autographs from the Battery players. Everyone then headed to the Pub for more celebration that included parading the Cup around with the fans and players. Here is a photo of Justin Stone and Nicki Paterson with the Cup:
Paterson also was able to share good news that evening as it was confirmed that the New York Red Bulls placed an MLS discovery on him and would bring him in the following week for evaluation in time prior to the MLS Roster Freeze. Paterson performed well in his week, and the New York Red Bull coaching staff asked him to stay with the club for further evaluation after deciding to sign a defender for their remaining roster spot. During his NYRB stint, Paterson played in two reserve matches notching an assists in both games against Toronto FC and New England Revolution.
Stay tuned to find out where Paterson will play in 2013 and once gain congratulations to him for his team and individual success!
In addition to Rochester Rhinos' Kristian Night being named to the USL PRO First Team, he was named USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year. Nicht proved every bit of his value coming from the German Bundesliga. Nicht started his USL PRO career with a North American modern record six straight shutouts. His most dominating performance came in Week 5 against the Charleston Battery (See Video Below) where he was named USL PRO Player of the Week for his 12 save performance. A big congratulatoins to Nicht for being named GK of the Year!
SSM would like to congratulate Rochester Rhinos Goalkeeper Kristian Nicht and Charleston Battery Midfielder Nicki Paterson for their selection to the United Soccer Leagues (USL) PRO All-League First Team. Nicht's selection also had him earn USL Pro Goalkeeper of the Year. These two represent the only SSM clients signed at the start of the 2012 USL Pro season.
Nicht would be the most impressive goalkeeper in the league starting the season with a modern-day North American record for consecutive shutouts to start his career. Nicht and the Rhinos jumped out to lead USL PRO after 6 consecutive shutouts. Nicht would finish the season as league leader with 11 shutouts in just 22 games played. He also ranked amongst the league leaders with 12 wins (2nd), 0.909 goals against average (2nd) and 86 saves (4th). The Rhinos earned the #2 seed entering the USL Playoffs and will have a bye into the semi-final round.
Nicht validated his pedigree having played in the Bundesliga 1, Bundesliga 2 and the Norwegian Tippaligaen prior to his Rhino arrival. The 6' 5" Goalkeeper commanded his back line and made many high quality saves throughout the season. His distribution was also exemplary. Nicht's season has not gone unnoticed with Major League Soccer clubs as it is confirmed that already one MLS club has a discovery on him. Nicht has set himself up well to be in MLS for the 2013 season. Here is his USL PRO Player of the Week performance against the Charleston Battery where Nicht had an incredible 12 saves.
Paterson built on his 2011 Charleston Battery MVP season with more impressive numbers and leadership to help the Battery to the #3 seed entering the USL Playoffs. Paterson led the USL Pro in scoring from midfield and finished 3rd in overall scoring with 11 goals and 2 assists. His 11 goals was just one behind the leader. Nicki also added a goal in US Open Cup play where he scored the game winner on an impressive free kick which would be the third consecutive year NIcki knocked Reading out of the US Open Cup with a free kick goal. The Battery recognized Nicki's outstanding play and rewarded him again with the 2012 Charleston Battery Offensive MVP and Nigel Cooper Player of The Year awards.
All the best to these two in the USL Pro playoffs!
Chicago Fire's Daniel Paladini stepped up in his last two starts contributing not only with two goals but also with his tremendous work rate and accurate passing. Paladini got the nod against DC United in place of Chicago Fire's injured Captain Logan Pause who sustained an abdominal injury two games prior against the Philadelphia Union. Paladini played very well on the occasion and started things off for the Chicago Fire by scoring one of the best goals on the weekend in terms of team play combining well with new Designated Player striker Sherjill MacDonald and soon to be Heerenveen SC midfielder Marco Pappa. Watch Paladini's goal here at the 2:08 mark:
Paladini would have his first MLS career back to back goal scoring games when he finished a pass from the edge of the 18 yard box from Sherjill MacDonald and slotted it home after making a great fun from deep in midfield. Paladini went on to celebrate with the home town fans.
[EDIT] - A few weeks later, Paladini would go on to swap roles with Sherjill MacDonald providing a classy assist on Sherjill MacDonald's goal in a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on Octoer 6, 2012. Watch below at the 7:35 mark.