St. John's University Athletics
Updating Red Storm Soccer Players In The Pros
5/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
May 8, 2006
QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's men's soccer program has had unparalleled success in collegiate soccer in recent years, and many of the alumni who have made those successes possible have gone on to play professionally. Five former Red Storm players are currently playing in Major League Soccer (MLS), and two are playing overseas, including Brent Sancho, who is set to become the program's first player to participate in a World Cup.
Rich Bradley, Long Island Rough Riders (USL Second Division)
Rich Bradley is in his third season overall and first as team captain of the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL Second Division. Over his first two seasons with Long Island, he has played at outside back, sweeper and midfield and appeared in 32 games. "I see Rich as the most versatile player on the team" said head coach Flavio Ferri on the team's official website. "He attacks and defends equally well. I really look for him to be in the mix when All-League selections are handed out at the end of the season."
Jeff Carroll, DC United (Major League Soccer)
Jeff Carroll was one of three Red Storm players selected in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, going with the 39th overall pick to DC United. He joined brother, Brian, in the organization, and has since begun play in the developmental league. Carroll, who spent most of his time as an outside back while at St. John's is expected to either see time as a defender or as a defensive midfielder as a pro. See Washington Post story: "Two Brothers, Finally One Team"
Chris Corcoran, Charleston Battery (USL First Division)
Corcoran begins his first season with the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division, after spending the 2005 season with Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls. Corcoran was the 25th overall selection in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, but played in limited time with the team's reserve squad as he rehabilitated from injuries.
Bill Gaudette, Columbus Crew (MLS)
Bill Gaudette was taken in the first round of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft and went on to appear in six games and make five starts for the Columbus Crew. Gaudette made his MLS debut against the LA Galaxy on May 25, 2005 and finished the second half of a shutout. Days later, Gaudette made the first of his five career starts, against the New York-New Jersey MetroStars.
Matt Groenwald, Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Matt Groenwald was selected in the third round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, going to Kansas City with the 28th overall pick. He made his season debut on April 1st and wasted no time in scoring his first career points. In the 21st minute of that match against Columbus, Groenwald assisted on the Wizards' first goal of the 2006 season. A forward/midfielder throughout his four seasons at St. John's, Groenwald has made a seamless transition to becoming a starting defender for Kansas City.
Shalrie Joseph, New England Revolution (MLS)
Shalrie Joseph was a first round selection of the New England Revolution in 2002 and joined the Revs in 2003 after a year overseas. He started 15 games that season, leading the Revs to the MLS Finals and earning the first of two All-Star selections. In the 2005 season, Joseph received serious consideration for MLS Most Valuable Player honors after scoring six goals and recording five assists for a total of 17 points.
Following the campaign, Joseph and fellow MLS All Stars were selected to compete against European powerhouses Fulham FC and Real Madrid as they toured the United States in the summer of 2005. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Brooklyn native was a starter in both contests and recorded an assist in the team's 4-1 win over Fulham FC. Joseph has also gained international competition for the national team of his native Grenada and was named the country's Footballer of the Year in 2003.
Jeff Matteo, Charleston Battery (USL First Division)
Matteo, along with Corcoran, signed with Charleston for the 2006 season. Matteo joined the Battery after spending two seasons with the Minnesota Thunder, where he played in 51 games and racked up five goals and seven assists. The Stormville, N.Y., native began his professional career in the MLS with the Columbus Crew, then had stints with the New York Red Bulls and Serie C1 of the Italian Third Division, before landing in Charleston for the 2006 season.
Stefani Miglioranzi, Swindon Town FC (English Second Division)
A third-round draft choice of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in 1999, Miglioranzi has played the last four-plus seasons overseas. He originally signed a month-by-month contract with Portsmouth of the English First Division and then earned a long-term deal with Swindon of the Second Division after a successful run at Portsmouth. Miglioranzi has played four seasons at Swindon and scored eight goals, despite injuries leading to inconsistent playing time.
Tim O'Neill, Virginia Beach Mariners (USL First Division)
Tim O'Neill has begun his second season with the Virginia Beach Mariners of the USL First Division. A Philadelphia, Pa., native and a two-time member of College Cup teams while at St. John's (2001, 2003), O'Neill has played three seasons of professional soccer. In 2004, he made his professional debut with the Syracuse Salty Dogs, before signing with Virginia Beach where he became a starter in 2005.
Brent Sancho, Gillingham Town FC (English League 2)
In addition to playing for Gillingham of the English League 2, Sancho has played for the Trinidad and Tobago national team and is set to become St. John's first ever World Cup participant. A member of the Red Storm's 1996 national championship team, Sancho played two seasons with Dundee of the Scottish Premier League before signing with Gillingham in August 2005.
Chris Wingert, Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Chris Wingert, the 2004 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner as the nation's top collegiate player, joined Colorado for the 2006 season after playing two seasons for the Columbus Crew. The Crew originally drafted Wingert in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, and the Babylon, N.Y., native spent two seasons in Columbus as a starting defender. Wingert has assumed starting duties on the defensive back line of the Colorado Rapids in 2006.
