Pictured Here: Fusion DOS, Jim DiNobile and Rowdies players, Captain Julian Valentin, Aaron Wheeler & Head Coach, Paul Dalglish
On 4/27/10 300 members of the Fusion competitive family came together for the 1st Annual Fusion FC Competitive Banquet to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate the successes of our first inaugural season. Besides a kitchen equipment snafu delaying some food, it was a great event. The highlight of the night was meeting and hearing words of wisdom form FC Tampa Rowdies Head Coach, Paul Dalglish, and Team Captain, Julian Valentin, and teammate, Aaron Wheeler (see bios below) - about how Coach Dalglish is developing this team, their daily training schedule, the importance of fitness, the commitment required to achieve higher levels of play, etc. Too bad we had limited time that night because the great questions coming from the audience and the personal sharing from our guests, we could have continued for hours. Teams were recognized, an abundance of raffle prizes were won by many and the night ended with “Soccer” by Sydney.
Excerpts from www.fctampabay.com website.
Paul Dalglish, Head Coach
Dalglish, a Scotland native, comes from an impressive soccer heritage as the son of “King” Kenny Dalglish, one of the greatest players and managers in soccer history. His sister, Kelly Cates, is also an on-air soccer journalist for ESPN.
Dalglish started his career in 1994 at Glasgow Celtic FC and went on to play for Liverpool’s reserve team. Dalglish continued his professional soccer career as a striker and right-winger for teams including Newcastle United FC playing under manager Ruud Gullit in the English Premier League, Wigan FC, Hibernian FC and the Houston Dynamo. While playing for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer, Dalglish helped lead the team to two MLS Cup titles in 2006 and 2007 and he was awarded the 2006 Western Conference Final MVP.
Dalglish retired in 2008 to pursue a career in coaching. Dalglish has spent time studying coaching techniques and match strategy at Liverpool with manager Rafa Benitez and at Blackburn Rovers FC with manager and former Rowdies player Sam Allardyce. He also coached for the HoustonDynamoAcademy.
Julian Valentin
Valentin is an American defender who previously captained the U.S. U-20 national team and played for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.
Most recently, the Los Angeles Galaxy selected Julian during the 2008 MLS SuperDraft as the 29th overall pick. He debuted on October 26, 2008 during the Galaxy’s final regular season game against FC Dallas.
Julian began his soccer career as a member of the U.S. U-17 national team that participated in the 2003 World Championships in Finland. He was also a member of the U.S. U-18 national team, as well as the captain of the U.S. Residency program in Bradenton, Fla. and a two-time Adidas Youth All-American.
From 2004 to 2007, Julian played at Wake Forest University in 64 games, starting in 59, scoring nine goals. He received numerous achievements during the three years at Wake Forest, including Soccer America Preseason All-American, NSCAA First Team All-South and the Second All-America, ACC First Team honors and was name to ESPN’s Academic All District III team. He was also a Soccer America First Team All-American in 2004 and 2005.
Aaron Wheeler
Wheeler, an American forward from Baltimore, Maryland, played at Lenoir-Rhyne University before transferring to Towson University in 2009.
While attending Lenoir-Rhyne, Aaron played in 54 games scoring 25 goals with six assists in three seasons. He was a two-time NSCAA All South Atlantic Region first team pick and a three-time first team All Conference selection, as well as team captain during the 2008 season.
Aaron then played for the USLPDL team, Reading Rage, where he received the league’s MVP and top goals scoring awards during the 2009 season.
