The Kansas City Wizards announced today the signing of midfielders Nelson Pizarro of Lincoln Memorial University (NCAA Division II) and Kevin Souter of Graceland University (NAIA) to Developmental contracts. The Wizards first saw Pizarro and Souter at an open tryout held in February and invited Souter on the team's pre-season trip to Argentina. To make room on the roster, the Wizards waived midfielder Amir Lowery and defender Yomby William.
"Overall, the quality of players that participated in our open tryout was outstanding," Wizards Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "We were pleasantly surprised at the caliber of play we saw during that two-day event and are very happy to sign two players to our roster from that process. Nelson and Kevin have proven that young players can achieve their goals and reach the highest levels of soccer through hard work and perseverance."
Pizarro joins the Wizards after four standout years at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. While playing at the NCAA Division II school, Pizarro earned several individual honors and led LMU to the NCAA Division II championship game as a senior. Pizarro scored 15 goals and recorded seven assists in his final season at LMU and was named first team All-American for his efforts.
"Nelson Pizarro is a very technical player who has the ability to play in many different positions," Wizards Head Coach Curt Onalfo said. "His two assists in Saturday's Reserve Division match against Toronto were excellent and show his ability to connect with teammates."
Souter was also first seen at the open tryout after three excellent years at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. In his three years at the school, Souter was named first team all-conference each season and helped Graceland to an NAIA National Championship in 2006. Souter was named 2nd team all-American as a junior. Souter, a youth player for Scottish power Aberdeen growing up, showed well enough at the open tryout to earn a trip to Argentina with the Wizards during pre-season training.
"Kevin Souter is a versatile player that can play anywhere in midfield," Onalfo said. "His technical ability, vision and awareness are all very good. In his time with the team in Argentina and in training sessions and reserve exhibitions since, he has proven to us that he deserves a chance in this league."
Vitals:
Nelson Pizarro
Midfielder #33
College: Lincoln Memorial University (NCAA Division II)
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 165
Date of Birth: 7/8/1985
Place of Birth: Sanford, Florida
Citizenship: United States
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Florida
College Stats:
2004 - GP: 15 ; G: 2 ; A: 5, Pts: 9 ; GWG: 0
2005 - GP: 19 ; G: 6 ; A: 3, Pts: 15 ; GWG: 0
2006 - GP: 19 ; G: 5 ; A: 8, Pts: 18 ; GWG: 2
2007 - GP: 25 ; G: 15 ; A: 7, Pts: 37 ; GWG: 4
Vitals:
Kevin Souter
Midfielder #26
College: Graceland University (NAIA)
Height: 5'11
Weight: 170
Date of Birth: 1/7/1984
Place of Birth: Aberdeen, Scotland
Citizenship: Scotland
Hometown: Portsoy, Scotland
College Stats:
2005 - GP: 15 ; G: 2 ; A: 5 ; Pts: 9
2006 - GP: 22 ; G: 6 ; A: 16 ; Pts: 28
2007 - GP: 17 ; G: 10 ; A: 11 ; Pts: 31
Transaction: Kansas City Wizards sign midfielders Nelson Pizarro and Kevin Souter to Developmental roster. Kansas City also waived midfielder Amir Lowery and defender Yomby William.
