Erik In, Erik Out: Loudoun Clear From The U.K. Part 2

In my first ever piece on Loudoun United, one of the main topics I covered was the exciting news that Estonian International Erik Sorga had signed for Loudoun for the forthcoming season. On researching the 20-year old, it soon became apparent that the striker had bright future in the game. What I did not expect to find out was that he was so impressive in pre-season training that he would get a move to Loudoun’s parent club DC United, before he had played a competitive game!

It will now interest me to see if Sorga can make an impact in the MLS and monitor his career going forward. Despite not being 21 year old until July, Erik has already bagged almost 50 goals in senior football and played six games for the Estonian National Team.

As a supporter of Football in England, the concept of a parent club is not only alien, but also totally frowned upon by most supporters in the UK, so I am interested to see how the system is developing in the US with MLS feeder/reserve teams in the USL. Some of the major teams in England have shown an interest in this route and have started entering under-21 teams in the EFL Trophy, which is England’s third cup competition and the benefits for the big clubs is obvious. I am interested to learn about how the affiliate teams benefit from this arrangement.

Loudoun coach Ryan Martin has assembled a team to compete and despite the loss of Sorga, United will welcome back Ghanaian Elvis Amoh, the 28 year-old, six feet two striker. Elvis is lined up as future guest on Across The Pitch scored four goals in 14 appearances last season and his experience of playing in various leagues in the world should be invaluable.

Further recruitment activity this week has seen United bolster the squad by re-signing young striker Christian Sorto and French keeper Simon Lefebvre.

Loudoun have pre-season friendly lined up this weekend against Bethlehem Steel, before the curtain raiser against Atlanta United 2 on March 21. For the Bethlehem game, Ross Devonport ,a friend of the show in on commentary for the game, so we will be hoping to get an assessment from Ross on how he thinks Loudoun’s season will unfold.

I plan on producing a regular blog as the season progresses, and would like to include a Loudoun feature on one of our Podcasts on Across the Pitch. If any Loudoun supporters (especially members of the Loudoun Stampede supporters group) would like to contact me with their thoughts, you can follow me on Twitter @PitchDarren or via email Stanley_darren@hotmail.com.