Owner Mike Hickman of the Ogden Outlaws today announced that Rob Karas has been named Head Coach for the PDL Ogden Outlaws. Karas currently is working with Real Salt Lake as Director of Youth Camps.      Prior to coming back to Utah, Coach Karas spent 3 years as Director of Coaching in Jackson, Wyoming. Coach Karas also spent four years as the Director of Coaching for Utah Soccer Alliance (USA), one year as Men’s Head Coach at Utah Valley State College, and six years with the Utah Olympic Development Program (ODP) as a state staff coach.      Coach Karas has earned several licenses and diplomas while building his soccer credentials, including the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National “A” License, NSCAA International Premier Diploma, USSF National Goalkeeper License, USSF National Youth License, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, and NSCAA State Goalkeeper Diploma. Coach Karas has over ten years professional playing experience including 3 years with the Utah Blitzz, and various indoor teams including, Arizona Sandsharks, Canton Invaders, Chicago Power, Baton Rouge Bombers, and the Utah Freezz.      An avid soccer enthusiast, Karas has spent the past three winters with coaches from AJAX, PSV Eindhoven, Harlaam, and Heracles in Holland; Chelsea FC in England; Barcelona FC in Spain; and Chievo Verona and Atalanta in Italy to hone his coaching techniques. Karas’s most recent trip included a two-week stint to Holland last winter to visit with the youth development directors at AJAX, a club that is widely regarded as one of the premier youth systems in all of European soccer. .

Rob Karas

Monday April 26, 2010 Page 1C

Standard-Examiner staff

     OGDEN — The Ogden Outlaws recently signed six new players for the upcoming 2010 season.
     Ogden, entering its fifth season in the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League, begins play May 6.
     Ogden’s signings are highlighted by midfielder Michael Farfan, who joins the squad from the University of North Carolina. A former 2005 U.S. U-17 Youth World Cup participant, Farfan hails from Wildomar, Calif., and will enter his senior season with the Tar Heels in the fall. Farfan was a first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection last fall after joining UNC from Cal State Fullerton, where he was the 2006 Big West Conference Freshman of the Year and a highly-decorated All-American.
     “Obviously, we’re excited to add these quality Division I soccer players to our program,” Ogden coach Mike Hickman said. “They will only add to the experience and skill we have at each and every position. It will be important for the guys to come in and work hard every practice and compete in every match we play. If they don’t, there will be someone waiting in the wings to take their spot. We fully expect these guys to help us compete in a very tough Southwest Division.”
     The Outlaws also signed goalkeeper Michael Chesler, a native of Highland, and a 2008 member of the team who played for the Carolina Dynamo last summer.
Three members of Bradley University’s team, forward/ midfielder Christian Meza, defender/midfielder Bobby Smith and midfielder Rudy Garcia, along with Florida-Gulf Coast defender Jonathan Koshko will also join Ogden’s lineup this season.
     Ogden kicks off the 2010 season May 6 on the road against the Fresno Fuego, followed by a meeting with defending PDL national champion Ventura County on May 8.

The Ogden Outlaws held our 2010 Tryouts Friday March 26th and Saturday March 27th. Friday's Tryouts were be at the Kaysville Sportsplex from 6:oo p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday's Tryouts were outside at Fremont Park (Syracuse) from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. We had several surprises including several players that had played in previous years, and good weather. In each of the previous years we had recieved snow, but this years weather was clear. The players selected become members of the Trainning Pool and are expected to attend all practices, learn the Outlaw formations, and continually work to improve team and personal skills. The final roster will be announced just prior to the beginning of the season. Players can determine if they are part of the Training Pool by clicking here.
We will be training Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 p.m. until dark at Friendship Park (650 East 5500 South, South Ogden).
Arrive early if you need to be taped. We have a short time to prepare for our season opener so come focussed.