SECAUCUS, N.J. - The MetroStars announced today that they have signed forward Ramon Bailey, defender Chris Corcoran, defender Jason Hernandez, forward Abdoulaye "Abbe" Ibrahim and defender Carlos Mendes. Per Major League Soccer policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.
Bailey, who attended Mercer Community College in New Jersey, has been signed by the "Red and Black" to a developmental contract. The 21-year-old former Jamaican U-17 player, is described as a player who combines good skill with creativity in the attack. While at Mercer CC, Bailey was named to the NJCAA All-American First Team for the 2002 season. He holds a Green Card and a Jamaican Passport.
Corcoran was selected by the MetroStars with the 25th overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft out of Saint John's University. Despite missing much of his senior year due to foot injuries, Corcoran had a storied career with the Red Storm. As a junior in 2003, he was named to the All-Big East First Team. During that campaign he appeared in 24 games, starting 21. He scored two goals, and tallied eight assists during that year. He played his club soccer with the Cape Cod Crusaders of the PDL. He has been signed by the Metros to a developmental contract.
Hernandez, a 21-year-old defender from Seton Hall University, was selected by the "Red and Black" with the sixth overall pick in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft and now signed to a developmental contract. Hernandez, an Englewood, NJ native and Paramus Catholic H.S. graduate, garnered All-Big East Second Team honors in 2004 and was also named to the adidas/NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region All-America Third Team. A four-year starter and two-year captain, Hernandez compiled a 42-28-12 record and helped the Pirates qualify for the NCAA tournament in each of his four seasons.
Ibrahim, 18-years-old of Lome, Togo, has been signed by the club pending visa approval. He has spent his entire soccer career in the FC Espoire Accademy in Lome, Togo. In early 2004 he trained with Manchester United, and since he has been invited to train with many French and German clubs.
Mendes, 24, is the only current professional in the group of five that has been signed today by the MetroStars. An Old Dominion University graduate, Mendes has spent the past two years playing for the A-League's Rochester Raging Rhinos. Before that, he spent a year with the Long Island Rough Riders. He is a native of Mineola, N.Y.
