RICHMOND, VA - (Friday, October 24, 2008) – Richmond Kickers Indoor of the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL) is pleased to introduce several players from the Central Virginia Soccer Association (CVSA) including midfielders Andre “Gago” Nunes, Branco Calizaya, Chris Green and Caleb Stoddart as well as defenders Jose “Puma” Rodriguez, Chris Thompson and goalkeeper Tommy Wendle.
"These players will be the core of the squad this year," comments Richmond Kickers Indoor Head Coach Kyle Lessig. “Coming from the oldest and most competitive adult soccer league in the metro area, they are some of the best amateur players in Richmond."
Virginia Commonwealth University alum, Rodriguez hails from San Jose, Costa Rica and returns to PASL action from last year’s season-ending ACL surgery. Starting all 18 games played at VCU in 2005, Rodriguez also spent three seasons with Barrio Mexico of the Costa Rican Second Division. Involved with the CVSA Premier League since 2006, the 5’10” defender continues to bolster the Fan Rats roster during CVSA Cup play. Meanwhile, Bolivian midfielder Calizaya returns to SCOR after spending the 2007/08 season with the Richmond Rowdies, joining his former VCU teammate. Transferring from Louisburg College in North Carolina to VCU, Calizaya concluded his collegiate career in 2006, having made eight appearances with the Rams over two seasons. A stalwart with the Fan Rats in the CVSA, he is currently working towards his Masters in Homeland Security at VCU.
Also returning to the PASL for his second season after a stint with the Rowdies is former William & Mary All-American Caleb Stoddart. Starting every Tribe soccer match in his career, Stoddart holds the school records in matches played and started (93). Leading William & Mary to two CAA Championships (1999, 2000), he was a two-time All-CAA First Team Selection and a three-time CAA All-Tournament Team honoree. Named VaSID All-State in 1999, 2000 and 2001, Stoddart is ranked 10th in school history with seven career game-winning goals and earned NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region Third Team honors his senior year. A member of the CVSA Lions club since 2003, Stoddart currently plays on three CVSA teams in the Premier, First and Coed divisions.
Newcomer Chris Thompson joins the Kickers Indoor squad in 2008/09 for his first PASL season. A native of Richmond, Virginia and graduate of Midlothian High School, Thompson was a four-year starter at NCAA Division III Savannah College of Art & Design. A member of the CVSA Premier League Team Sporting Richmond FC since 2003, Thompson is an art teacher and assistant girl’s soccer coach at Monacan High School in Chesterfield County. He brings Kickers ties to the indoor team, acting as the Kickers U-13 Boys South coach and also helped guide Thomas Dale High School to back-to-back state championships (2005, 2006).
Indoor veterans Andre “Gago” Nunes and Chris Green are slated to return to indoor soccer this fall after playing with the Rowdies last season. Brazilian midfielder Gago, a native of Campo Grande, brings futsal experience to Richmond having played with the club team Pelezinho in Brazil. Most recently, he has spent the past five seasons with the CVSA Premier League team Metro Sting FC. Meanwhile, Richmond local Chris Green is a graduate of Mills Godwin High School and has since returned to his alma mater as JV Boys soccer coach. Earning a BA in Economics and Business from Virginia Military Institute, Green also acts as the Systems Analyst and JV Boys soccer coach at The Steward School. Involved with the CVSA over the past six seasons, Green joins fellow Sporting Richmond FC teammate Thompson on this year’s Indoor roster.
For over 10 years, the Richmond Kickers have partnered with the CVSA to provide registration services for one of the best amateur Adult Soccer League programs in Greater Richmond. The Kickers acted as the CVSA’s front-of-jersey sponsor in the summer of 2008, outfitting nearly 100 summer league teams in the Kickers brand. From its humble beginnings as a six-team league in the fall of 1975, the CVSA has grown exponentially to become the largest and most successful in the Metro-DC/Virginia region. The League annually offers three seasons, spring summer and fall, fielding over 100 registered teams each season. For more information about the CVSA, visit cvsasoccer.org.
About Richmond Kickers Indoor
Entering its 10th year, PASL is the largest international indoor/arena soccer league in the world with 54 teams in the United States. Teams play regionally with the season running November through March. PASL is an affiliated member of the FIFRA (Federation International Futbal Rapido Association). Richmond Kickers Indoor will consist mostly of Kickers professionals plus select amateur players and will take the field during the 2008-09 season. Competing in the Mid-Atlantic division, Richmond Kickers Indoor will face regional opponents in approximately 10 matches, with home matches taking place at SCOR, Sports Center of Richmond. Stay tuned to RichmondKickers.com for game schedules and ticket information.
