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Incoming for the 2019 is a new coaching staff joining recently appointed head coach Marc Dos Santos. We have known him for a few years of his NASL time and he brings in a quality staff, some he is rather familiar with from his time in that league. Asst. coaches Vanni Sartini joins his brother Phillip Dos Santos and goalkeeper coach Youssef Dahna, each are now on multi year contracts. All told nearly half a century of experience has arrived in Canada between their playing coach and soccer educational histories.

Not much of a surprise in either selection with Bastian Schweinsteiger taking the MVP but his Defensive Player of the year was not a given by any means. The Golden Boot of course is for most goals so that was a given with Nemanja Nikolic getting it for 2 years running and now is one of just 4 players in club history with more than a single season with goals totalling double digits.  

The rights to Jonathan Campbell went west as a pick blew into the windy city for the 2020 Draft. Fire Pres/GM Nelson Rodriguez had this to say of  Campbell, "During his time with the club, Jonathan always gave his best on the field. We wish Jonathan the best of luck." The 12th overall selection in the 2016 Draft, he had 72 games, 49 starts for Chicago, notching a goal and a pair of assists. Tis past season, the 25 year old saw action in 15 games starting 11 of them. It is a big drop in just 3 years to then leave, getting a 4th rounder a year into the future.

Each year at the NSCAA, now USC Convention, the highlight for me is this event. The room is a who's who of American Soccer very strong in the Collegiate ranks with Jerry Yeagley, Bruce Arena, and oh so many more, it is an hours long event with auctions and great times all around. This year it will be held Sat. Jan. 12 at McCormick Pl, Chicago in Hyatt Regency Ballrooms B,C & D @ 4p.m., sponsored by the Chicgo Fire. Begun after Walt passed in 1994, it honors and preserves his memory of his coaching career as USNT HC & Dir. of Coaching and more.