loyola Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I think that news deserves it's own thread, Thanks to Joe MacCarthy Dejan Jakovic Signs With Serbia First Division Team Former UAB star to play for Red Star Belgrade June 30, 2008 http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/063008aaa.html BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former UAB standout Dejan Jakovic has signed with Crvena Zvezda edit (Red Star) Belgrade of the Serbian First Division, announced head coach Mike Getman on Monday. "This is a terrific opportunity for Dejan," Getman said. "I am very happy and excited for him to not only play for one of the top soccer clubs in Serbia, but one of the most successful franchises in all of Europe. He has worked really hard and is very deserving of this opportunity." Jakovic will close out his career as one of the most decorated athletes to play for the UAB men's soccer program. Last season, he was tabbed to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) first-team All-Region. Jakovic, who was tabbed as a first-team all-region honoree in each of the last two years, is just the third UAB soccer two-time first-team recipient to be honored by the NSCAA. The Etobicoke, Ontario native is also one of eight players in UAB men's soccer history to have earned first-team all-region honors. Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Jakovic finished the '07 campaign leading UAB in goals (6) and points (13). Jakovic showed the type of player he can be when healthy, as he paced the Blazers to a victory at then-No. 10 Indiana (Sept. 21). In that contest, Jakovic accounted for two goals en route to the 2-1 upset win over the Hoosiers. Jakovic, who was one of 29 players selected to the preseason MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, also earned a spot on the 2007 first-team All-Conference USA team, marking the second straight year he garnered a spot on the league's first team and the third time in three seasons he was tabbed All-C-USA (earned second team accolades as a freshman). Jakovic gained international experience when he was selected to participate in the Canadian National Team training camp in mid-January, as the team attempted to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. He played in both of Canada's two contests. He was later chosen to join the Canadian Olympic Team, where he started and played every minute of Canada's four contests, leading his team to a third-place result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aljarov Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Good for him. I had hoped that he might be a top pick from Toronto in the next draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razcle Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Not to soung like an idiot, but who is UAB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibby Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Razcle Not to soung like an idiot, but who is UAB? I'm not sure but I'm gonna take a wild guess and seeing the article is from Birmingham, Alabama go with University of Alabama - Birmingham. I could be wrong though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theaub Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 UAB > UAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red card Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 you're correct Kibby they usually have a men's basketball team that tends to pull off upsets in NCAA tourney - wrecked my pool bracket in 1 or 2 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massive Attack Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Pretty cool that we have a Canadian at a former Champions League winning team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Fantastic news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUFC Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Congrats to Dejan. I'll admit that I didn't even know who he was until recently, but he really impressed me during the Olympic qualifying tournament. Hopefully he gains some valuable experience and let's hope that he can crack their first team roster sooner rather than later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Excellent news! I think this guy may be ready to step into the national team ranks faster than many of us had anticipated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I wonder if MJ even considered giving this kid a look. He's a Canadian Olympic team player and looked great in qualifying. He's good enough for a powerhouse like Red Star, but not TFC ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 MLS teams can't just simply sign a kid out of NCAA. Any incoming NCAA player has to be drafted. The only way to sign a kid outside of the draft is to have them develop at the academy for two years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyola Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Winnipeg Fury I wonder if MJ even considered giving this kid a look. He's a Canadian Olympic team player and looked great in qualifying. He's good enough for a powerhouse like Red Star, but not TFC ? See Rudi answer. Also Dejan was a junior in college so not eligible for the MLS draft. We should also note that even last year there was rumours about him going to Belgrade. He doesn't sound like he was considering playing in the MLS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 quote:Originally posted by loyola See Rudi answer. Also Dejan was a junior in college so not eligible for the MLS draft. We should also note that even last year there was rumours about him going to Belgrade. He doesn't sound like he was considering playing in the MLS. I don't think that's true, anyone is eligible for the draft as long as they declare by a certain date. There have been many underclassmen and teenagers that have been drafted by MLS sides over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 quote:Originally posted by loyola See Rudi answer. Also Dejan was a junior in college so not eligible for the MLS draft. We should also note that even last year there was rumours about him going to Belgrade. He doesn't sound like he was considering playing in the MLS. You will have to excuse my sarcasm.[}] I doubt MJ would seriously consider anyone on the Canadian Olympic team, regardless how good they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Winnipeg Fury You will have to excuse my sarcasm.[}] I doubt MJ would seriously consider anyone on the Canadian Olympic team, regardless how good they are. I like ripping into MoJo as much as the next guy, but you do realise that there were four TFC players on that Olympic roster, right? (Hemming, Rosenlund, Lombardo, Gala). And Monsalve was effectively a fifth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Rudi I like ripping into MoJo as much as the next guy, but you do realise that there were four TFC players on that Olympic roster, right? (Hemming, Rosenlund, Lombardo, Gala). And Monsalve was effectively a fifth. Yeah, how many were on the field tonight ? These guys need to play to develop. They need more than CPSL reserve games. Why aren't they being loaned out to USL clubs for development ? Hopefully everyone of them leave ASAP, or they can forget about making it as a pro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Winnipeg Fury Yeah, how many were on the field tonight ? These guys need to play to develop. They need more than CPSL reserve games. Why aren't they being loaned out to USL clubs for development ? Hopefully everyone of them leave ASAP, or they can forget about making it as a pro. I realise this is 'Rip on TFC Day', something that I've been partaking in myself, so I'll try to answer your questions/comments individually and as rationally as possible. Yeah, how many were on the field tonight ? These guys need to play to develop. They need more than CPSL reserve games. The guys on the TFC roster don't play in the C(P)SL. They play either in the MLS or the MLS reserve league. None of them were out there, and only John Carver can answer why. In my opinion, the 'older' guys on the reserves simply aren't good enough to displace the starters and get substantial minutes (save for Hemming). The younger guys (Nana, Gala, Melo) are too young but are rated very highly by Carver, especially Gabe. I wouldn't be surprised to see them get some time during this hell month of July in which TFC has 11 games. Why aren't they being loaned out to USL clubs for development ? The simple answer to that is the limited number of roster spots, as well as the reserve league and fixture congestion. It's very rare that any MLS team will loan out players to USL clubs (or any clubs), unless that player is disgruntled and on his way out anyways (like Guevara was at Chivas last year). Even though the kids aren't getting playing time now, an injury bug or rash of suspensions could see any of them get called into action in short order. You don't want your player out in Minnesota or Charleston in that case. MLS clubs do not have EPL-sized rosters. Hopefully everyone of them leave ASAP, or they can forget about making it as a pro. It's still WAY too early to be making blanket statements like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Wonderful news. This kid needs to be playing pro and should develop nicely over time. Very impressed with him during qualifyers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youllneverwalkalone Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I believe he is returning to Red Star, as he was there as a youth? That should bode well for his first team chances. I mean, why bring him back to sit in the reserves if the club has already seen him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livesareavailable Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 If I'm not mistaken, MLS players loaned to USL teams must remain on the MLS team's roster, taking up a spot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jobu Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 This is excellent news. Red Star Belgrade are considered by many to be the best team in the Balkans region along with Dinamo Zagreb. If Jakovic can make the 1st team at Red Star and enter into a few games, I expect within a couple years for Jakovic to be a contributing member to our mens national team. It is to see that more and more of our players making some of best club teams in Europe![8D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devioustrevor Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Massive Attack Pretty cool that we have a Canadian at a former Champions League winning team. You mean like Feyenoord? (Jacob Lensky) I'm also certain there are Canadians that are members of the U-19 team at Ajax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefoot Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 This kid was awesome during the Olympic qualifying. I thought he brought us into attack from the backline really well, made some brilliant tackles, and rarely seemed to get caught out. I would be interested to see what he is like in a midfield role. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I think he is a defensive midfielder as he has good control and ball skills. Good luck to him. I don't know much about the Serbian league other than Red Star and Partizan. Will this league be good enough to get him onto the men's team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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