March 17, 2006
Well, Craig Demmin will not be back with the Rhinos.
Craig came out yesterday and said that he is committed to join the Virginia Beach Mariners of the USL 1st Division and that he won't be back with Rochester this season.
With Scott Schweitzer retiring and Demmin not coming back, the Rhinos are now scrambling to fill in a couple huge holes in central defense. Currently the Rhinos are looking at adding two players.
The Rhinos have 2005 All-ACC defender Kenney Bertz in town training with the club. Kenney was selected by DC United in the 4th round (47th overall) in this year's MLS SuperDraft. He was also selected by the Portland Timbers in the 2nd round of the 2006 USL 1st Division collegiate draft. Bertz played both central and outside defender during his 4 years in College Park. Bertz is keeping his options open right now as he has an offer from the Colorado Rapids on the table. But, Coach Calloway has liked what he's seen from the big, physical rookie.
The Rhinos are also looking to sign MLS journeyman defender Ryan Suarez. Suarez was an MLS All-Star in 2002 with the Dallas Burn. In 2003, Suarez was involved in a major trade that sent him to the LA Galaxy. Suarez was a starter for the Galaxy in 2004. Suarez started last season with Chivas USA. He was released and picked up by the MetroStars in July. Suarez is a big, physical central defender who has had a history of head injuries that have led him to wear protective headgear.
If the Rhinos can sign Bertz and Suarez, it will improve their depth and experience in central defense. But, it will be next to impossible for them to replace two of the biggest names in Rhinos history in Schweitzer and Demmin.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
