Aug. 21, 2009

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Defending national champion Maryland will travel a few miles down the road to Washington D.C. for a matchup at American University on Sunday. First kick is slated for 1 p.m. at Reeves Field (note: the scrimmage was originally scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday, but changed due to potential bad weather).

Maryland, which is fresh off a 23-3-0 season, rolls a 16-game winning streak into the 2009 campaign. American was 9-7-3 a year ago and won a share of the Patriot League championship. The Terps blanked the Eagles, 4-0, last season. Casey Townsend established a career-high with two goals while Omar Gonzalez and Matt Oduaran were responsible for the other scores.

This is part three of a four-part series previewing the 2009 Maryland men's soccer season.

Wednesday - Goalkeepers, Overview
Thursday - Backline
Friday - Midfield
Saturday - Forwards, Schedule

MIDFIELDERS

The midfield, along with the forward corps, should be strong units for Maryland in 2009. The Terps return seniors Doug Rodkey and Drew Yates along with sophomores Matt Kassel and Kaoru Forbess, to the midfield.

"We have a lot of depth in the midfield and it's going to be highly competitive for playing time," Cirovski said.

Rodkey, who led the Terps with nine assists in 2008, will look to broaden his game and his role this fall.

"Doug had a great second half of the season for us and was one of the key providers with his menacing runs and good serves," Cirovski said. "I think Doug has really worked on his shooting and I expect him to be more of a dangerous scorer this year. "He's a great competitor and plays with a lot of bite and a lot of skill and is always one of the most fun players to watch for our fans."

Drew Yates is poised for a stellar senior season as well after playing vital minutes off the bench for the national champion Terps in 2008.

"I expect Drew to have a breakout season," Cirovski said. "I think he's always been one of the most skillful players in the country and this year, he'll show it. "All indications are that the light has fully turned on and all things have come together and I can't wait to see the end product."

Joining Rodkey as a returning starter in the midfield, Kassel is poised to take on a bigger offensive role this season after playing predominately a defensive midfield a year ago. Last season's TopDrawerSoccer.com Rookie of the Year, Kassel had a fine freshman season where he tied for second on the squad with seven assists. He is a player mature beyond his years and has an excellent feel for the game.

"Matt is a very good two-way midfielder," Cirovski said. "Last year, he played a lot of defensive midfield but he has very good abilities to get forward and we are going to try to use more of those abilities this year.

"He has a great presence on the field and he's vocal, assertive and highly competitive."

Forbess, a dynamic midfielder who was ranked the No. 3 recruit in the nation by Rise Magazine in 2008, is completely healthy after a back injury sidelined him for much of the 2008 season.

"He improved virtually every game this spring and this summer, he committed himself to vigorous workout program," Cirovski said. "He's very hungry to have an impact this fall and he will.

"He has the capability to be one of the top passers in college soccer."

Incoming freshman Widner Saint Cyr, a native of Port Au Prince, Haiti, will likely make a strong bid for some significant playing time. With his strong passing skills and wealth of international experience, Saint Cyr could be a solid replacement for Graham Zusi, who is now with the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS.

"Widner has had some incredible experiences on-and-off the field," Cirovski said. "He is an exceptional passer and has remarkable athletic ability to cover a lot of ground in the midfield and we expect him to have a major impact this season."

Another freshman with a hefty playing resume heading into the fall is Jordan Cyrus. Cyrus, a two-time NSCAA All-American from Virginia Beach, Va., had a decorated career at Norfolk Academy.

"Jordan is a very athletic and skillful player who seems comfortable anywhere on the field," Cirovski said. "Our challenge is to find his best position as quickly as possible and perfect it."

Redshirt freshman Conor O'Leary, like Schaeffler, took advantage of his redshirt year and is ready to fight for time in the field this fall.

"Conor looks more confident and seems to have settled in," Cirovski said. "He's really finding his niche at wide midfielder."

One of five seniors on this year's roster, Tyler Mishalow will also compete at an array of positions.

"Tyler keeps improving and is an incredibly valuable component of the team," Cirovski said. "He's a very good leader and understands and embraces his role."

Other newcomers that will make a ploy for playing time include Paul Torres, John Stertzer, as well as Cyrus, Woodberry and Kevin Dansky.

"Paul is a soccer junkie with a great feel for the game and is an exceptional passer. He has a great engine and he will compete in the center of the midfield for us."

"John is a silky smooth soccer player who is very comfortable at the striker and attacking midfielder positions and has improved a lot in the last six months. He looks to have great potential for success here.

"Kevin has a gifted left foot and will need a little time to adjust to the speed of play, but I expect him to grow very rapidly."

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