Albion SC PROS is Getting Ready for the Upcoming NPSL Season and Signs Two Top Players — Lester Hayes & Doug Andrade
As Albion PROS starts to fill its roster for the 2017 NPSL season, the announcement of Lester “Tre” Hayes and Douglas Andrade re-signng with the team marks the beginning of a strong team.
Wanting to look behind the scenes, SoccerToday’s Diane Scavuzzo also caught up with General Manager Noah Gins to get his insights on the upcoming season and the search for new talent.
NPSL Soccer News: Albion SC PROS has signed two more players for the upcoming 2017 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season; with commitments from Lester “Tre” Hayes and Douglas Andrade — the roster is off to a strong start.
Serving as last year’s target forward, Hayes played his collegiate career at the University of California Irvine. After being a member of the Pateadores Blues PDL Team, and PSA Elite, where he could gather first experiences in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Hayes will return for his second season with Albion.
“I stayed with the PROS for the environment and what is being built towards the future. We are treated like professionals, on and off the field,” said Hayes. “Being involved in the community like we are here is what it´s all about. Bringing smiles to the kids’ faces and showing them that, as a professional athlete, you are not untouchable. We were once like them, youth kids training hard and competing for trophies, scholarships, and contracts.”
Andrade brings samba to the San Diego club. The Brazilian native played for Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, and Southern Wesleyan University based in South Carolina. He comes with several awards, such as NAIA SSAC newcomer of the year, first team all-conference as well as a NCAA National Championship.
In his first season with the PROS, Andrade had to overcome several injuries, which he is now fully recovered from.
“I decided to stay because I want to be a National Champion and there is no other club in San Diego that can provide to its player what Albion does,” said Andrade. “I love the commitment found in every staff member.”
“The Albion organization is going places,” said Andrade.
“The signing of Tre and Doug immediately add goals to this team and give us an immediate offensive threat within the NPSL. These two players were a big part of the success in 2016 and we only want to build off what we see these players being able to offer this team,” said Albion PROS General Manager Noah Gins.
Head coach Ziggy Korytoski continues to build a squad that will put all eyes on soccer in San Diego.
“Doug and Tre represent what we at Albion are looking for both on the field and in the community. They were involved in some very important goals for us during last season’s success and their commitment to return to the Albion PROS and the NPSL is a statement toward the excellence and belief in our organization. I am looking forward to these two contributing to another banner season with us,” said Korytoski.
Hayes and Andrade will join the already committed Jean Antoine, Luke Staats, Felipe Liborio and Oscar Ortega, as well as 25 selected players for its first closed-doors mini-camp held December 7th-17th.
SoccerToday caught up with Executive Director and General Manager Noah Gins on the success of Albion PROS and the continued preparation for the upcoming season.
Diane Scavuzzo: What does it mean to you to have the Albion Pros compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup?
Noah Gins: At this level, to be part of such a long standing and prestigious event that involves all teams at all levels in this country is very special. To accomplish this within our first season is also very exciting.
Bottom line to qualify and be part of the U.S. Open Cup is the best opportunity any team has below the MLS.
Diane Scavuzzo: How will your team prepare to meet the challenges of playing opponents who are professionals?
Noah Gins: The preparation will be no different but we will think about the timing of games, who we play, and the periodization of training leading into that first match in the US Open Cup.
I know that how we approach that one game will be very methodical with league games before and after that match.
Diane Scavuzzo: What do you believe it will take to be successful?
Noah Gins: Honestly, we feel we can play into later rounds of the US Open Cup.
Success will be making it to the point of playing an MLS team.
Diane Scavuzzo: How far do you believe your team will go in the competition?
Noah Gins: We believe we can make it into 3rd and 4th rounds, but a lot will be required to get us there and it will not be easy.
Diane Scavuzzo: What do you like best about your coach’s approach?
Noah Gins: I like Ziggy’s thoughts behind each situation and the level of detail that goes into each moment in the season.
Diane Scavuzzo: How involved are you?
Noah Gins: I am very involved with everything — some very intimately and some from a distance — but always involved.
All selected players in recent weeks will be attending the second round of open tryouts on this Saturday, December 17th, at 10 a.m. PT at John Muir Field, UCSD.
Related Article: Albion Pros Finds Great Soccer Talent
