The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Getman Adds Canadian Standout To Spring Signing List
2/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 15, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Derek Rios, a 5-10, 160-pound midfielder from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play college soccer at UAB, Blazer head men's soccer coach Mike Getman announced today. Rios joins Alandus Brooks (5-10, 140, Defender, Jackson, Miss.), Two-Boys Gumede (5-9, 145, Forward, Louisville, Ky.), Trey Gregory (6-2, 175, Midfielder, Birmingham, Ala.) and Andrew Riley (5-11, 160, Midfielder, Birmingham, Ala.) as 2005 signees for the Blazers.
Rios is currently a member of the Canadian U-20 National Team A and a former member of the U-17 National Team A. He is also a member of the Toronto CS Assurri team under the direction of coach Carmen Isaaco and trained in the Ontario National Training Center club organization. A veteran international player for the Canadian youth teams, Rios once recorded a hat trick, scoring three goals against Barbados in a friendly match in 2002. He has played in two international friendly matches against the U.S. youth teams, scoring one goal.
"Derek is a big-time player who should make an immediate impact on our team," Getman said. "Derek has a great combination of skill, vision, and athletic ability. I expect him to battle for a starting position right away."
All but two letterwinners will return for UAB in the 2005 season. The Blazers were 12-7 overall in 2004 and were runners-up in both the Conference USA regular season and tournament.
