TAMPA, Fla. (June 22, 2007) ? The University of South Florida men's soccer team announced six new additions to the 2007 squad, head coach George Kiefer released Friday afternoon. 

Two defenders, two forwards, a midfielder and a goalkeeper make up the stellar class of recruits.

“We have a great class coming in this year,” Kiefer said. “We really focused on bringing in players that were talented academically and athletically, but also have outstanding character. This class really fits the bill for us.”

Venezuelan born Bernardo Anor brings an impressive resume to the team as a long-time member of the country's National Team. He possesses a wealth of international experience, starting with his affiliation in 2002 with the U-15 National Team through his 2006 membership with the U-20 squad.

Anor has been a member of several championship teams in Venezuela.  Among them was the U-17 Caracas Soccer Club, a team that seized the crown in the 2004-05 season with Anor at the helm.  In 2005, Anor repeated the championship run with the U-18 Federal district team.

Countryside High goalkeeper Jeffrey Attinella is expected to strengthen the USF goalkeeping corp in his rookie season. A former Pinellas Country Player of the Year, Attinella boasts three all-county selections, four all-conference distinctions and an all-state team honor. He led Countryside to a state championship his junior year and posted a 28-4-4 record with 20 shutouts that same year.  Named captain his senior year, he concluded the season with 19 shutouts and a 28-1-1 record, allowing only nine goals. He helped lead his team to a No. 1 national ranking and earned MVP honors for his efforts.

Attinella also played club soccer for the Clearwater Charges, a team that ranked 12th nationally in March of this year and won the Florida State Cup Championship in 2006.

Jermaine Hardy, a junior college transfer from Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo., brings to USF a NJCAA national title as team captain for the championship team his sophomore year. The squad finished eighth nationally the year prior.  Hardy was an all-region choice both seasons and has played club ball for the Ft. Lauderdale Lions in the past.  The Portland, Jamaica, native was also a member of the U-15, 17 and 20 Jamaican National Teams.

A defender from American Heritage High, Andre Mittoo hails from Plantation, Fla.  The four-time all-state player won a state championship in 2004 and again in 2006.  He served as captain on the '06 title team.  Currently a member of the U-18 USA National Team player pool and the US Youth Soccer Region III Team, he was a member of the Y League All-Star Team in 2006. Mittoo played club soccer for the West Pines United F.C.  He, like fellow incoming freshman Hardy, was born in Jamaica.

A midfielder from LaRomain, Trinidad, Javed Mohammed comes to the Bulls with a slew of accolades.  The former star for Naparima College was a three-time Sportsman of the Year honoree from 2004-06.  He served as captain of the U-17 Trinidad & Tabago National Team, was league MVP for the U-18 Petrotrin club team and was also a member of the U-20 National Team.  In 2004 and 2005, he was named to the country's Secondary Schools All-Star Team.

Jacksonville standout Alejandro Taylor brings an impressive resume as a forward. In 2006, he attended the Adidas ESP Camp, which is designed for the nation's top 150 male high school soccer players.  Taylor also participated with the US Youth Soccer Region III ODP Team. At the 22nd International Tournament Dellamicizia held in Viella, Italy in 2004, he won the Golden Boot award on the U.S. Regional Team. A highly-decorated high school player, he was named Rookie of the Year his freshman year, MVP in his sophomore campaign and was all-district his junior year. In his senior year, he was the team's captain and MVP, while also garnering a state all-star team selection.

The six standouts will look to make an immediate impact for the Bulls when they begin the 2007 season at home against the University of Tampa on Aug. 18 in an exhibition match.

Kiefer is also expected to announce a few more signees in the upcoming weeks.
 

2007 USF Men's Soccer Newcomers
Bernardo Anor                F             Caracas, Venezuela (San Ignacio of Loyola)
Jeffrey Attinella              GK          Clearwater, Fla. (Countryside High School)
Jermaine Hardy              D             Portland, Jamaica (Jefferson College)
Andre Mittoo                   D             Plantation, Fla. (American Heritage High School)
Javed Mohammed          MF           LaRomain, Trinidad (Naparima College)
Alejandro Taylor            F              Jacksonville, Fla. (Bishop Kenny)