Former FGCU players on Top Drawer’s “young players to watch” list
Former FGCU goalkeeper Nathan Ingham was listed as one of Top Drawer Soccer’s list of young players to watch in the National American Soccer League in 2016. Ingham, who signed with NASL team FC Edmonton in January, is the Eddies’ backup goalkeeper for now. While with the Eagles, the 22-year-old logged 6,000 minutes while setting a new goals against average record.
Last summer, Ingham also played a major role in leading the K-W United team to winning the USL PDL crown.
Former FGCU forward Derek Gebhard, who signed with NASL Florida team Jacksonville Armada in June, was also listed on Top Drawer’s list of young players to watch in 2016. Gebhard, who only spent his freshman year in 2014 with the Eagles, is expected to make a significant impact after logging 80 minutes through five games since signing.
Gebhard and Ingham’s clubs are scheduled to face off at 8:30 p.m. on May 4.
Guillen earns first start with FC Dallas
Due to several MLS players being out on international duty, former FGCU captain and Homegrown Player Aaron Guillen logged his first minutes on American soccer’s biggest stage. In a regular season game against DC United, Guillen started and played a full 90 minutes in Dallas’ 3-0 win. Although, as a defender, Guillen’s stat sheets are usually blank, the 22-year-old did rack up three fouls in Saturday night’s game.
Guillen is the first-ever FGCU product to appear in an MLS game.
Saravia on the national stage
Former FGCU captain Rodrigo Saravia made his second international start Tuesday night in his professional club team’s home stadium in Ohio. Saravia, who earned his third international cap Tuesday for his home country of Guatemala, started and played the full 90 minutes against the United States in the World Cup qualifier game.
Saravia is the first-ever FGCU product to play in a World Cup qualifier.
After defeating the Stars and Stripes on Friday night with a 2-0 decision in Guatemala City, the USMNT rebounded in Tuesday night’s game, putting it back in the race to qualify with a 4-0 victory over Guatemala.
Guillen and Saravia, who signed with MLS club Columbus Crew in January could face each other this weekend as their respective MLS teams square off in Dallas on Saturday, April 2, at 8 p.m.