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Roanoke Star Announces College Commitments for Graduating Seniors

Roanoke Star is pleased to announce that 12 players have committed to play soccer in college next year. There are still some players who are finalizing their plans so that number may increase even further. Players will be added as they make decisions on schools.

Roanoke Star players in ODP Championships

Three players from the Roanoke Star Soccer Club are members of the Virginia 1992 boys ODP team that will compete at the 2008 US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships on March 7 and 9 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. The players are goalkeeper Mark Bixler, midfielder Justin Syharath, and forward Trey Gaylor.

The Championships include 1991 and 1992 boys and girls teams. The teams qualified by winning their respective age division at their US Youth Soccer ODP Regional Championships.

1991 Girls Teams: New Jersey, Minnesota, North Texas and California South
1991 Boys Teams: Eastern New York, Illinois, North Carolina and California South
1992 Girls Teams: Maryland, Missouri, North Texas and California South
1992 Boys Teams: Virginia, Indiana, North Texas and California South

Virginia will play California South, and Indiana will play North Texas in semi-final matches on Friday, March 7. Championship and consolation matches for all teams will be played on Sunday, March 9.

Mark Bixler, Goalkeeper      Justin Syharath, Midfielder      Trey Gaylor, Forward

Karbassiyoon named Honorary President of Arsenal America.
Former Roanoke Star player Danny Karbassiyoon has been named Honorary President of Arsenal America.  His duties will include managing the Arsenal America team in the Supporters Club tournament that's held in London every year and to attend Arsenal America events. He will be a permanent board member. Danny was presented the Honorary Presidency at a dinner that included Arsenal America members from all over the United States. The dinner was held at The Old Ebbitt’s Grill two blocks from the White House. Arsenal America was formed in August 2001 by several fans of Arsenal FC who realized that Arsenal had no supporters club in the United States. Granted official status in 2005, Arsenal America has over 500 members throughout the United States.

Pictured below-Danny Karbassiyoon and Danny L Beamer (Executive Director of the Roanoke Star and Danny’s Club coach) holding the FA Cup replica trophy from 2005 when Arsenal beat Manchester United in penalty kicks. Arsenal UK sent items over for the dinner.

Roanoke Star players selected for Region I ODP Pools
Three players from Roanoke Star Soccer club were recently selected for the Region I ODP Pools:

Michael Mecham - 1994 Boys (also National pool) - Roanoke Star U14 Boys

Will Hare - 1993 Boys - Roanoke Star U15 Boys

Parker Walsh - 1991 Boys (also National Pool) - Roanoke Star U16 Boys

Roanoke Star is the only Virginia club to have three players named to toys Region I pools.  A total of 18 players from Virginia were named to the pools.

2006-2007 State Cup Highlights

Congratulations to the Richmond Strikers U17 girls who won their division in the 2007 US Youth Soccer Region I (East) Championships.  The team advanced to the national championships played in Frisco, TX, on July 24-29 at Pizza Hut Park. For details on the championships, go to www.usyouthsoccer.org

Congratulations also to Beach FC Red U12 boys (finalist), Richmond Kickers U12 Boys, VA Rush Nike U16 Boys and Richmond Kickers Elite U17 Boys (semi-finalists).  Special kudos to the Richmond Kickers Elite U12 Girls and U17 Boys teams who won the Fair Play award.  Over 280 teams represented their states in the Region I games in Portland, Maine

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Roanoke's Parker Walsh Scores Tying Goal for US U17 Men
BALLYMENA, Northern Ireland (April 23, 2007) - The U.S. Under-17 '91 Men's National Team pulled out a 1-1 draw against Scotland this afternoon in their opening match of the 2007 Ballymena International Tournament at Wellington Rec in Larne, Northern Ireland. Roanoke Star player Parker Walsh scored the equalizer with five minutes left to play to earn the U.S. a point.

The U.S. sits in second place in Group B after the first day of matches, trailing the Republic of Ireland, who defeated the reigning champion Czech Republic, 2-1. The U.S. will next face the Czech Republic, the country the U.S. U-17 '90 MNT lost to in the championship match last year, on Tuesday, April 24.

The U.S. was greeted with overcast clouds and rainy conditions for their first match of the tournament. Despite the wet field, the U.S. came out and dominated possession in the first half, but went into the locker room at halftime behind as it was Scotland that scored first.

In the 29th minute, Scotland won a corner kick and took advantage. David McAulliffe served the corner to the far post for Scott Durie, but his header was cleared off the line by defender Scott Caldwell. Despite the heads up play, the clearance fell straight to Robert McHugh, who buried his shot from close range.

The second half saw the wind and rain settle down a bit, and the U.S. was finally able to capatilize in the 75th minute off a free kick that was awarded when Scotland's goalkeeper Grant Adams picked up a back pass at the edge of the penalty area. Dersu Alfolfathi provided a quick touch to Parker Walsh on the free kick and the defender ripped a shot through the wall and past Adams into the back of the net.

Danny Karbassiyoon hired as Arsenal scout
Danny Karbassiyoon has been hired by Arsenal FC of the English Premier League as their chief scout for North America. Danny played for Roanoke Star for many years before going on to play with Arsenal, Ipswich town and Burnley FC in England.

Recently Danny was forced to retire from playing due to a troublesome knee injury. For many that news would have been devastating, but not Danny who was brought up the Roanoke Star way! He regrouped with his family in Roanoke and settled down to starting an internet business whilst considering furthering his education at college.

He had called the scout who first discovered him in the USA for Arsenal to let him know the bad news and got on with life. A day or two later however he got the great news that Arsene Wenger (Arsenal FC Coach) wanted him to spearhead the teams recruiting in America. Danny recently returned from London after spending two weeks learning what it takes to spot talent for one of the best teams in the world.

Danny is looking forward to the job of Head Scout for Arsenal FC in North America. He has already been to Miami to watch Switzerland's national team and heads to Dallas soon for the Dallas Cup. Danny plans to continue his special relationship with Roanoke Star.