Four Tacoma Stars Chosen to Represent the USA in Monterrey

10/20/08 - United States National Arena Soccer Team (USNAST) Head Coach Bernie Lilavois made the final seven selections to represent the US in the Torneo Internacional de Futbol Rapido Monterrey 2008 November 5-9 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Joining the seven players previously selected are goalkeeper Chris Kintz, defenders Al Valencia, Lee Williams, and Garret Brown, midfielders Nick Kelly and Alex Megson and forward Junior Garcia.

Kintz, Williams, Megson and Brown were teammates on the PASL-Premier Tacoma Stars. Williams played last season with the then California Cougars of the MISL. Kelly spent last winter with the Kansas City Kings of the PASL-Premier. Valencia and Garcia have been signed to the Wenatchee Fire of the PASL-Pro.

USNAST Assistant Coaches Jamie Swanner and Greg Howes sent their recommendations to Lilavois, who made the final decisions. There were some players who went to July's Circuito Mundial 2008 in Montreal that Lilavois wanted to bring to Mexico, but the games would have interfered with the PASL-Pro regular season.

"There will come a time when the USNAST takes precedence over everything," said Lilavois, "but right now with the PASL-Pro in its first season we felt it was more important for those players to represent their local teams and play for their fans at home." Lilavois will be the only returning player from the Montreal roster that lost 6-4 to Mexico and 10-9 to Canada.

Player Position Birthdate Height/Weight Bio

Justin Dzuba Goalkeeper 7/3/1984 6'3" 160 lbs. Went to University of Colorado (Colorado Springs), signed with Denver Dynamite (PASL-Pro) played for Colorado Rush, Southern Colorado Stars (PASL-Premier), recorded two shutouts in PASL-Premier Summer 2008 season

Chris Kintz Goalkeeper 5/19/1983 Recently re-signed with the Tacoma Stars of PASL-Premier, played for Cascade College

Jake Harris Defender 5/8/1984 5'11" 170 lbs. From Little Rock, AR, signed with Denver Dynamite (PASL-Pro) played for the Colorado Predators (PASL-Premier) Bakersfield Brigade, Springfield Demize, and Springfield Storm (USL-PDL), played college for Missouri State University

Ryan Creager Defender 8/25/1984 6"0" 70 lbs. From Sandy, UT, Player/Assistant Coach Denver Dynamite (PASL-Pro), played for Colorado Rush (PASL-Premier), Colorado Springs Blizzard (USL-PDL) and Utah Salt Ratz (MPSL), played for Colorado State University (Pueblo)

Al Valencia Defender 12/26/1985 5'9" 165 lbs. Signed with Wenatchee Fire (PASL-Pro), Team captain Yakima Reds (USL-PDL) since 2006. Played for Wenatchee Valley Community College

Lee Williams Defender 8/8/1982 6'3" 195 lbs. Played for and recently signed with Tacoma Stars (PASL-Premier), drafted by Monterrey La Raza (MISL), traded to California Cougars (MISL) and played 18 games in 2007-08

Garret Brown Defender Played for Tacoma Stars (PASL-Premier)

Jay Hamilton Midfielder 7/2/1979 5'9" 140 lbs. From Moore, OK, signed with Denver Dynamite (PASL-Pro), played for Colorado Predators (PASL-Premier), trained with San Diego Sockers (MISL), went to UNLV

Nick Kelly Midfielder 4/20/1986 Played for Kansas City Kings (PASL-Premier), was Honorable Mention All-Conference midfielder at Columbia College

Alex Megson Midfielder 5/11/1986 Son of star indoor defender Neil Megson, played this season with Seattle Sounders (USL-D1), signed with Tacoma Stars (PASL-Premier)

Junior Garcia Midfielder 7/19/1986 5'8" 160 lbs. Born in Colima, Mexico, signed with Wenatchee Fire (PASL-Pro), 2008 USL-PDL MVP with Yakima Reds,

Tony Thomas Forward 3/7/1979 5'9" 140 lbs. From Yukon, OK, signed with Denver Dynamite (PASL-Pro), played for Colorado Predators (PASL-Premier), Boulder Rapids Reserves and Springfield Storm (USL-PDL), All-American at Metro State College

Greg Howes, Assistant Coach Forward 3/26/1977 6'0" 185 lbs. Most accomplished active arena soccer player, three-time MISL MVP, played eight years with Milwaukee Wave (MISL), played for Seattle Sounders, Rochester Rhinos, Wave United, Portland Timbers (USL-D1), played for US National Futsal Team, currently Head Coach Tacoma Stars (PASL-Premier)

Bernie Lilavois, Head Coach Forward 8/31/1970 5'11" 165 lbs. 433 career goals, playe/Head Coach Stockton Cougars (PASL-Pro), played 16 indoor seasons in 14 years, played in A-League, Scottish First Division, played for US National Futsal Team, 2 caps with USNAST, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist

About Professional Arena Soccer League

PASL-Pro is a new professional arena soccer league whose inaugural season kicks off October 25, 2008 when the Stockton Cougars host the Colorado Lightning. PASL-Pro consists of 8 US teams, the CMISL, and LMFR. The San Diego Sockers have been added for the 2009/10 season. PASL-Premier just completed its 10th season as the nation's top amateur arena soccer league. PASL-Pro and PASL-Premier are members of Federacion Internacional de Futbol Rapido (FIFRA).