Aces In The Pros

ACES IN THE PROS

The University of Evansville has a tremendous reputation for developing professional soccer players, both here in the United States and abroad.

DAVID WEIR is the most decorated professional in Aces soccer history. After a successful career for Everton FC in the English Premier League, he was transferred to Glasgow Rangers FC in his native Scotland in 2007. Weir led his side to the UEFA Cup finals in 2008, to two consecutive Premier League championships while serving as the Rangers' captain, and in 2010 he was chosen as Scottish Premier League Player of the Year. Weir has played for Scotland's national team for much of his career, and was the first former U.S. collegiate player to appear in the World Cup for a European team. Following his playing career, Weir served as manager of Sheffield United in 2013 along with being an assistant on three more professional teams (Brentford, Rangers, and Nottinghame Forest).

TROY PERKINS is was regarded one of the top American goalkeepers in professional soccer of his day, and that was highlighted by being named 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year with DC United. Following the 2007 season, Troy signed a lucrative contract with Vaaleranga of the Norwegian Premier League. He spent two years in Norway before returning to DC United in 2010. Then in December, 2010, he was acquired by the MLS expansion Portland Timbers to be their keeper in 2011. In 77 MLS regular season matches, he compiled a 36-19-22 record and 19 shutouts.

DIEGO GUTIERREZ had an MLS career that few can match. He was an original member of the league, when he played for the Kansas City Wizards. He moved on to play for the Chicago Fire in their inaugural season in 1998, and played a pivotal role in the Fire's "double" that season – he scored in the '98 MLS Cup to lead the Fire to the MLS Championship, and then played a key role in the US Open Cup championship. The 2007 U.S. Soccer Federation/MLS Humanitarian of the Year retired in 2008. He recently joined Philadelphia Union's technical staff as the Head of Scouting and Player Development for the MLS squad, and was chosen in December, 2010 as recipient of the Jerry Yeagley Award for Exceptional Personal Achievement, by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

MARC BURCH played a key role for DC United since arriving via a trade with the Columbus Crew in 2007. Burch was drafted 24th overall in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by the Los Angeles Galaxy, and the converted attacking player evolved into one of the steadiest left backs in the league. His ability to whip crosses into the box from the left flank has made him an important commodity for DC United. An injury to his right foot sidelined him for all but four matches in 2010, but he is healthy again and expected to be a key part of DC United's defense in 2011.

CORY ELENIO capped off an outstanding senior season at the University of Evansville in 2007 by being selected by the Columbus Crew with the 20th overall pick in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft. Cory played in two games for the Crew in their MLS championship season of 2009, and then became a standout in the USL in 2010 for Carolina. He was invited back to he Crew's pre-season camp in January, 2011.

ALEC DUFTY had an outstanding career in goal with the Aces from 2006-2008. He made one appearance in 2009 for the MLS New York Red Bulls, and earned Man of the Match honors in a 1-0 win over Houston. In 2010 he was starting keeper for AC St. Louis, in its first year as a member of the USSF Division 2 Professional League. Now Dufty is in pre-season with the Chicago Fire after a successful loan stint at the end of the 2010 season.

ROBBY LYNCH, the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference Defender of the Year, and an NSCAA Scholar All-American, was drafted in January, 2011 by the MLS expansion Portland Timbers, which earlier signed former UE standout Troy Perkins.

SKYLAR RICHARDS, former student athletic trainer for the UE soccer team, is now the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the MLS Columbus Crew

MARK ANTHONY GONZALEZ followed a stellar playing career with the Acesw ith a strong showing in the professional ranks. Gonzalez made 46 appearances across two seasons in 2016 and 2017 with Swope Park Rangers of the USL, scoring 14 goals. After two seasons with SPR, Gonzalez moved to USL side Reno 1868, making five appearaces in 2018.

IAN MCGRATH is the most recent Ace to play professional soccer. Named to the MAC Herman watchlist as a senior, McGrath signed a contract with USL team Nashville SC in 2018. McGrath was loaned out to Inter Nashville FC in 2018, playing in four matches and scoring a goal. In 2019, McGrath crossed the Atlantic and joined Scottish Championship member Queen of the South FC, where McGrath played in 11 matches. McGrath currently plays for Chattanooga FC in the National Independent Soccer Association.

A number of former players have had successful playing careers at different levels in the United States and abroad-

• Paul Nevin spent time in both the English Football League and GM Vauxhall Conference before embarking on a coaching career that included stints with both the Fulham FC in the English Premier League and as the manager of the New Zealand Knights of the Australian A-League, along with joining Garreth Southgate's English national team staff for stints twice in 2019. Nevin is currently the first team coach for English Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion.

• Scott Cannon had successful stints with both the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Columbus Crew (MLS).

• Chuck Browder was rostered with the Columbus Crew (MLS)

• Brian Loftin appeared for the Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS)

• Frank D'Amelio played in the North American Soccer League (NASL)

• Rob Paterson, Trey Harrington, Mike Mikes, Scott Westbrook and Scott Cannon played in the American Professional Soccer League (APSL)

• CW Raines, Brian Loftin, Scott Cannon, Chuck Browder, Ian Eggleston, Scott Ikeda, Tony Jones, Mike LaBerge, Jose Londono, Graham Merryweather, Dustin Ottesen, Marshall Ray, Nick Potter, Shane Schmidt, Adam Schultz, Marty Schroering, Toby Walton, Ryan Youngblood and Shane Barrett played in the USL; Raines helped lead the Minnesota Thunder to the A-League Championship.

• AJ Lachowecki, Rob Paterson, Casey Stevens and Shawn Beyer had played in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL); Former Aces standout Brian Loftin served as General Manager of the Chicago Storm.

• AJ Lachowecki, Brian Loftin, Jon Halliwill, Trey Harrington, Scott Cannon, Dan O'Donnell, John Prow, Shane Schmidt, Adam Schultz and Tim Ernst spent some time playing in the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL)

• John Prow and Matthew Blackbourne played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL)

• Bob Wasserman played in the American Soccer League (ASL)