Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Cavalry FC is hoping backbones of the University of Calgary Dinos will serve the Canadian Premier League team long into the future.
Eryk Kobza and William Omoreniye of the Dinos men’s soccer team were both plucked by the local footie side in the 2023 CPL-U SPORTS Draft on Thursday.
Omoreniye was selected in the first round with the seventh overall pick, while Kobza was taken in the second round with the 14th overall selection.
“It’s an exciting day for the program, for sure,” said Dinos head coach Brendan O’Connell. “It’s an opportunity they’ve both earned, and we’re certainly pleased for them.”
Omoreniye just finished his first season with the Dinos. The local product started all 16 games on the back line and led the team in goals (five) and points (eight) while tying for the team lead with three assists.
“This is fully deserved for Will,” O’Connell said. “He made the Canada West all-rookie team and played a big role for us last year. We’re very proud.”
Kobza just finished his time in the Scarlet & Gold, helping this year’s squad to another deep playoff run that saw them advance all the way to the Canada West championship despite a roster that prominently featured five rookies. He also started all 16 games on the year and finished tied for team-high with three assists to go with his three goals.
“For me as a coach, this has been a long time coming for Eryk,” O’Connell said. “There’s been a lot of interest around him (from professional clubs) for a while. Frankly, this is long overdue. I think him moving into a centre-half role this past season helped him. He reads the game well. His passing range is superb. He’s a great athlete and a great human being, and this is a no-brainer. He could earn a living playing soccer – he just has to find the right level that suits him.”
This continues a trend of Dinos players being selected to play at the next level.
Earlier this year, Gareth Smith-Doyle signed a professional contract with Cavalry after just one season on the UCalgary campus. The 6-foot-2 forward earned five caps after joining the team midway through the season and helped the squad to a third-place finish in the CPL standings.
Dominick Zator also just finished his second season with York United FC in the CPL before announcing earlier this week a move overseas to play with Korona Kielce in the Polish Ekstraklasa — the top league in Poland.
“I think this says a lot about the program and how strong it has been in recent year,” O’Connell said. “It’s a credit to the coaches and their hard work. It’s a credit to the players, who have come in at a high level and been able to cope. I think we’ve proven that the program is in good hands and is very strong at the moment. We’re very proud of it.”
Both Kobza and Omoreniye will be invited to join Cavalry for their pre-season with the opportunity to earn a roster spot under a U SPORTS development contract.
And the Cavs are happy to have them.
Omoreniye developed through the Calgary Foothills academy program and recently played for the Cavalry under-20 team in the Alberta Major Soccer League, under former Cavalry star Jay Wheeldon. The defender had an impressive showing at this summer’s Canada Games tournament for Team Alberta. He is an athletic player with great technique and a competitive edge, with the ability to play in multiple roles, either as a full back or winger.
“William is a player we know very well and feel he is ready to join the professional environment,” said Cavs GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “He’s a player with a big upside in terms of the attributes he has. Our job is to help him adapt to the professional environment and support the next ste
https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/calgarysun/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Kobza8-1-scaled.jpg?quality="90&strip=all&w=576 2x" height="1920" loading="lazy" src="https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/calgarysun/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Kobza8-1-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288" width="2560"/>
p of his development.”
Kobza developed in the Vancouver Whitecaps academy and was selected for the Canada U-15 program. Following his departure from the Whitecaps, the midfielder moved to Poland in 2020, where he signed professional contracts with both Sokol Ostroda and Podlasie Biala Podlaska. He featured in six matches in the second division and made 20 appearances in the third division. The Dinos captain is described as a versatile player who can play as a centre back or central midfielder, has an impressive passing range and is aggressive in his duals while displaying strong leadership skills.
“We like the competitive edge and leadership qualities that Eryk has shown in his past couple of seasons with the Dinos,” Wheeldon said. “He has a great physical presence about him, with a nice feel for the ball and versatility to play in a couple of key positions. We are looking forward to seeing how he does in our environment in pre-season.”
— with files from Postmedia news services
Post a Comment