Agorsor picking Cavaliers over pros

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Europe’s loss is Virginia’s gain, for now.

McDonogh senior Chris Agorsor, the 2007 Examiner soccer player of the year and the subject of numerous professional offers from European clubs, has decided to honor his commitment to the University of Virginia.

“I definitely took a long time to think about stuff,” Agorsor said. “As far as professionals go, there hasn’t been an opportunity that has jumped out at me and blows Virginia out of the water.”

Agorsor, who combined his junior and senior academic schedules into one, and will graduate June 6.

He scored 24 goals with eight assists in 15 games last season, and also spent time with the U-20 U.S. National Team as a 17-year-old. He’ll play this July with the national team, and starts official camp with Virginia in August. The Cavaliers went 12-8 in 2007.

Agorsor, who was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National High School Player of the Year, is considered coach George Gelnovatch’s top recruit.

“I think to not get a taste of that Virginia life would be unfortunate,” Agorsor said. “It’s something I’m looking forward to.”

PALACE MOVES TO 4-0

They billed it as a business trip, and after Saturday’s result, it certainly seemed like one.

Crystal Palace USA traveled to the beautiful island of Bermuda for Saturday’s game against the Hogges, and returned with a 1-0 win, thanks to Ibrahim Kante’s penalty kick goal in the fourth minute of play.

The shot was awarded after Bermuda defender Stephan Astwood was called for a handball inside the box.

Palace maintains a shutout streak, which currently stands at 360 minutes, and plays at Western Mass Pioneers Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Palace returns to UMBC Stadium May 31 to play the Charlotte Eagles at 7 p.m.

CABRAL GETS KICKS WITH FUTSAL TEAM

Blast veteran Denison Cabral is a busy man.

The second-team All-Major Indoor Soccer League forward and coach of various youth teams is one of the captains of the United States National Futsal Team, which travels to Guatemala next month.

Cabral and his national teammates will play Haiti, Panama and Costa Rica from June 3-5, playing for a spot in the June 7 semifinals and June 8 championship.

By advancing out of the CONCACAF Futsal pool, the U.S. would play in the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Cabral’s native Brazil from Sept. 30 to Oct. 19.

Cabral has been an advocate of five-aside game, which is played on a hard indoor surface, but without boards. He joined the U.S. National Team last summer, shortly after establishing his citizenship.

swelsh@baltimoreexaminer.com

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