USL PRO and Wilmington Hammerheads Regular Season Schedule Released

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Wilmington Hammerheads are thrilled to announce the release of their 2012 regular season alignment and schedule. The Hammerheads are set to kick off their season on Sunday, April 15, at Orlando City followed by the home-opener Saturday, April 21, against Harrisburg City Islanders at Legion Stadium.

USL PRO, which enjoyed a tremendous amount of success both on and off the pitch in 2011, will feature 11 teams playing in a single-table format in 2012. The 2012 USL PRO Table includes Antigua Barracuda FC, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, Los Angeles Blues, Orlando City Lions, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, and Wilmington Hammerheads.

The Wilmington Hammerheads’ 2012 regular season schedule:

All of the Hammerheads’ games, with the exception of Wednesday, May 2, kick-off at 7:30 p.m. The Wednesday, May 2, match against Antigua Barracuda FC is a 7 p.m. start.

“Our first game is going to be tough but a good test against the reigning champions at their home field,” said Hammerheads midfielder Paul Nicholson. “Fortunately we have three home games after that which should show us how we will stack up against the 2012 competition. Overall, I think it’s going to be a tough schedule but one that we are definitely looking forward to as we hope to emulate our performance last year and go even further this year,” said Nicholson.

The Hammerheads will once again play 24 games in the 2012 season, 12 on their home turf and 12 away. The USL PRO Playoffs will include the top six finishers in the table, with the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds receiving a first-round bye the weekend of August 24-26. The semifinals featuring the four remaining teams will be played the following weekend, with the 2012 USL PRO Championship set for the weekend of September 7-9.

“We’re excited to announce the 2012 schedule and although it is later than anticipated we are very pleased that everything is finalized. This announcement takes us one step closer to our first game of the season on April 15^th,” said Irving of the schedule release.   

Hammerheads season tickets and individual tickets for 2012 games are available at www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com or call our office at 910-777-2111 ext. 16.

Hammerheads head coach David Irving says he is looking for players to fill every position. “Despite finishing second overall in the USL PRO we are looking to be even better than last year to compete with the likes of teams like Orlando City and the Charleston Battery,” said Irving.

The first combine of the year is set for Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15 at the Hammerheads home pitch, Legion Stadium. The following weekend, January 20-22, Irving will travel to Charleston, S.C., to explore another combine for potential players.

The USL Showcase is scheduled to begin Thursday, January 26 which Irving will also attend. Last year, the Showcase is where the Hammerheads spotted 2011 USL Rookie-of-the-Year, Luke Mulholland. “The USL Showcase always provides a good opportunity for the Hammerheads to scout fresh faces to contribute to the team,” said Irving. “Last year, for example, we found our leading scorer,” continued Irving.

Despite catching a rookie standout at the USL Showcase, Irving said that the majority of Hammerheads’ players in the past were scouted at regular tryouts and completed the standard tryout process. Some of these players include midfielder Hakop Avesyan, midfielder Dylan Riley and defender Tom Parratt, all from the 2011 team and returning in 2012.

The weekend of March 2-5, Pro Soccer Consulting (PSC) will host a professional soccer combine for the Hammerheads at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, MD. The combine is designed for Irving and his staff to recruit players for 2012 and for PSC to evaluate players from North America who are looking to play professional soccer in Europe.

“Our final tryout will be the second weekend in March (10-11) where we already have a number of skilled young players signed up. It’s definitely going to be a hectic next few months searching for the right players but I’m looking forward to attending the different combines and I plan to build an even stronger Hammerheads team than last year,” said Irving.

Players interested in trying their skills for a chance to play with the Hammerheads should visit www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com for more information and how to register.  

Pro Soccer Consulting (PSC) is proud to announce that they will be hosting a professional soccer combine for the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Pro League in March 2012 at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, MD.

PSC has already hosted three combines for top college and professional players during the last quarter for clubs within the USL Pro, Norwegian Premier League and Norwegian Second Division. This upcoming combine is designed for the following: -

1) Coach Irving and his technical staff to recruit players for the 2012 season.
2) PSC to evaluate players from North America who are looking to play professionally in Europe.

Dates:

Friday March 2nd 2012 – Sunday March 4th 2012

Schedule:

Friday, 2nd March:
1.30pm: Registration / Introduction
2.00pm – 4.30pm: Small Sided Games

Saturday, 3rd March:
10.30pm – 1.00pm: 11 v 11 Games

Sunday, 4th March:
10.30pm – 1.00pm: 11 v 11 Games

Cost:

Players that sign up on or before February 19th will receive an early registration price of $299 for attendance at the three day combine.
 

Location:

Maryland Soccerplex & Discovery Sports Center, 18031 Central Park Circle, Boyds, MD 20841

Registration

To apply to be a part of this combine players must submit a registration form at the following website – http://www.pscsocceracademy.net/registration_form.htm

Accommodation:

PSC have secured a special discounted rate with the Holiday Inn Express in Gaithersburg, MD. The hotel will be hosting combine players and will provide a shuttle service to and from the Soccerplex as part of the combine package. Please quote PSC Soccer Combine when contacting the hotel to secure this special rate.

Hotel details:

Holiday Inn Gaithersburg
2 Montgomery Village Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Tel: 301 948 8900

For more information please visit - http://www.pscsocceracademy.net/news.php?a=36

When the Wilmington Hammerheads soccer team announced its return late in 2010, it was merely the first step in a mad dash to get a team on the field six months later. And when lightning and tornado warnings postponed the team’s April opener, it could have been a bad omen. Instead, the Hammerheads were a hit on the field and in the community. Wilmington finished second overall in USL Pro and packed the stands at Legion Stadium, including a franchise-record 5,783 fans on Aug. 5 for a nationally televised game vs. the LA Blues. Soccer is back in the Port City, and it was easy to see that many people benefitted from it.

Ventura County Fusion to Host Combine for Professional Soccer Clubs

VENTURA, Calif. — December 19, 2011 — The Ventura County Fusion (http://www.vcfusion.com), the region’s first and
only world-class, championship-caliber PDL soccer franchise, today announced it will host a professional soccer combine
at which professional coaches, scouts and agents will be in attendance. The combine will be held on Saturday, February
4th and Sunday, February 5th, 2012, at Ventura College Stadium in Ventura, California.
The combine is specifically designed to give players of a suitably high standard a chance for full and accurate assessment
of their chances of progression to the professional ranks. This event will include tactical and technical activities within
small and full-sided game situations designed to facilitate a player’s knowledge and ability. Professional coaches and
staff from various teams including Mike Anhaeuser of the Charleston Battery and David Irving of the Wilmington
Hammerheads of USL PRO will be represented at the two-day event. Last year five players from the Ventura County
Fusion played for the Wilmington Hammerheads.
This will be the sixth year in which the Fusion has hosted combines of this nature. To date, 40 players have progressed
to higher-grade professional soccer in USL PRO, MLS, the Serbian Super Liga and the EPL. These players have
included a No.1 MLS draft pick and the 2011 USL PRO Player of the Year. This year is expected to be no different.

Combine Schedule
The schedule for the combine will be as follows.
Saturday, February 4th, 2012
* 10:00am – 10:45am: Player Check-in
* 10:45am – 11:00am: Welcome and Coaching Staff Introduction
* 11:00am – 1:00pm: Combine Session #1
* 1:00pm – 2:00pm: Lunch Provided at the Field
* 2:00pm – 4:00pm: Combine Session #2
Sunday, February 5th, 2012
* 8:45am – 9:15am: Player Check-in
* 9:15am – 11:00am: Combine Session #3
* 11:00am – 12:00pm: Lunch Provided At The Field
* 12:00pm – 2:00pm: Combine Session #4

Combine Registration and Packages
The following two options are available for players to register for the combine.
Residential Option - $375.00
* Combine Fee
* 2 nights hotel on Friday and Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach (double occupancy)
* Breakfast at the hotel on Saturday and Sunday
* Lunch at the field on Saturday and Sunday
Combine Only Option - $175.00
* Combine Fee
* Lunch at the field on Saturday and Sunday

Please visit www.vcfusion.com or contact Brian Nowakowski at (805) 830-8027 or brian@vcfusion.com for more
information or to register for the combine.

# # #

Pro Combine Press Release

Ventura County Fusion Club Home Page

Date: January 14th, 2012
Boys & Girls
Age Groups: U8– High School Age

Location: Cape Fear Academy
3900 South College Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28412

Hosted by your Professional Wilmington Hammerheads at
Cape Fear Academy. Bring your travel or recreation team to
be a part of the non-stop high scoring action and
competitive play that indoor soccer has to offer.

Tournament Details:
Cost $350 per team
 Each team is guaranteed 3 games
 Each team will receive t-shirt that can be used as team uniform
 Games are 25 minutes long
 5v5 format(4 players and GK on field at a time)
 Games played with regulation indoor futsol soccer balls
 Limited space available

 Registration Deadline December 29th
 $100 Deposit to enter

For Questions or to Register contact Matt Sadler at
matt@wilmingtonhammerheads.com

Wilmington, North Carolina – The Wilmington Hammerheads continue to build their 2012 roster and are pleased to announce the re-signing of another pair of 2011 Hammerheads players, defender Dylan Riley and midfielder Jack Avesyan, pending USSF approval.

Riley made his professional debut in a Hammerheads’ jersey in their home opener last April, which resulted in a 1-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos. Playing in 22 games during the 2011 season, Riley recorded one shot on goal from his defensive position. The 24 year old contributed to the Hammerheads four shut-outs, three in front of Wilmington fans at Legion Stadium, and one away, in a 1-0 victory against Antigua Barracuda FC.  

“We obviously had a successful season last year, finishing second overall, but I would love to see us take first place next year and advance further in the playoffs” said Riley of his expectations for 2012. “I think getting my first year, at the professional level, under my belt last year will give me even more confidence this time around and I’m really looking forward to playing for the Hammerheads again.”

Before joining the Hammerheads, the Thousand Oaks, Calif. native played for the USL Premier Development League club, Ventura County Fusion, from 2007 through 2010. During his time he was a member of their 2009 USL PDL championship team. In college, Riley was a four-year starter at California State Northridge (2006-09) and was twice named to the Soccer America national team of the week.

Armenian midfielder Avesyan also began his professional career in the blue and white stripes last season. Avesyan compiled 917 minutes of playing time for the Hammerheads and scored his first professional goal in a 3-0 win over the Charleston Battery at Legion Stadium. The 23 year old fired nine shots on goal from his midfield position and netted two goals for the season. 

Avesyan is already looking ahead to the 2012 season. "I am very grateful to be a part of the Hammerheads once more. I believe that we have some of the most dedicated fans in the entire division, which is why next season I will be coming to Wilmington to play my hardest and with only one thing in mind, to win the Championship,” said Avesyan of his goals for next year. 

A west coast athlete, Avesyan grew up in Hollywood, Calif., and played for the USL PDL club, Ventura County Fusion, where he played alongside Riley in 2009 and was a member of their USL PDL championship team. Avesyan also competed in the Armenian Olympics and was summoned to the Armenian National Team when he was 18 years old.

For more information and updates about the Wilmington Hammerheads 2012 season visit www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.

A Wrexham, Wales native, Evans was transferred to Wilmington from the Los Angeles Blues in 2011. Through the regular season, Evans played in 21 games for the Hammerheads and compiled six shots on goal. As a defender, the Welshman also contributed to four shutouts, three at the Hammerheads’ home field, Legion Stadium, and one at Sticky Wicket Stadium in Antigua.

“I'm delighted to be re-signing with the Hammerheads as last year was one of the most enjoyable seasons in my career so far,” said Evans. “We have a great coach and some of the best fans and supporters in the league.”

Next season Evans said he wants to maintain his standards but also continue to improve as a player.

“I want to continue to be a leader for the defense and the team, and to finally score a goal for the Hammerheads would be nice too,” Evans added.

Most recently, Evans played with the Carolina RailHawks after the 2011 Hammerheads season came to a close. Prior to his success in Wilmington, Evans began his U.S. career with the Austin Aztex and later played with the Real Maryland Monarchs. Overseas, Evans played in the Welsh Premier League for Newi Cefn Druids and then signed a professional contract with Wrexham in 2006.

Cuero hails from Austin, Texas, and will join the Hammerheads for both his second season in Wilmington and his professional career. In 2011, the 21-year-old Cuero played in 22 games and notched three goals as well as one assist during regular season action.

“I’m very excited to play for the Hammerheads again and I’m looking to make an even bigger impact this year than I did in 2011,” said Cuero. “I’m looking forward to working hard and hopefully having another successful season in Wilmington.”

Before his professional career, Cuero played soccer at the college level for the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, where he was named third-team NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region in 2008.

For more information and updates about the Wilmington Hammerheads 2012 season visit www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.

Fans,

If you would like to purchase 2012 Hammerheads season tickets, please contact us at 910-777-2111 ext. 16 or email us at roxanne@wilmingtonhammerheads.com. Season tickets are great presents to give out for Christmas, Birthdays and Anniversaries. Regular season play runs April through August.

Go Hammerheads!

The Owners, Staff and Players would like to thank ALL Sponsors and Fans for their support during our 2011 season! It was an incredible first season back with Sponsorship Sales, Ticket Sales, Group Sales, and Merchandise Sales far exceeding our goals. The team on the field achieved great success and certainly performed beyond our expectations! We hope you enjoyed the season as much as we enjoyed it! It is our hope that you will support our team again in 2012 through current Season Ticket and Sponsorship Sales!

Thanks again and we hope you have a wonderful Fall, 2011. We will see you in the early part of 2012! Stay in touch.

Go Hammerheads!

Sincerely,

Hammerheads Owners

Hammerheads Staff

Hammerheads Players