One of the biggest problems for the RDC Kings soccer team over the last several years has been a lack of depth.
When they ran into injury problems, head coach Steve Fullarton struggled to find a quality reserve.
That doesn’t appear to be a problem this season. In fact with eight returnees and four others back from two years ago Fullarton can only smile when talking about the team’s depth.
“There’s definitely more depth than in previous years,” he said. “When the guys came off the bench played in the second half in our exhibition games we actually improved as a team. I really like the competition.
“It’s important to have that depth. The league is so intense and close if you run into injury problems you could be out of it before you know it. Having a player able to come off the bench and add some intensity to the game can make a huge difference.”
One of the biggest additions this season is the return of Julius Abegar, who was an All-Canadian two years ago and the Alberta player of the year. Abegar will start as a defender and work alongside newcomer TJ Johnson.
Johnson, who played U18 in Red Deer two years ago, is still looking at playing soccer in Germany, but even if he gets a tryout it won’t be until next year.
Mark Ibbotson, who led the team in scoring the last two years with eight goals in 10 games each season, is returning up front with all-stars Alim Hirji and Chase Grenier back in the midfield.
Hirji was second in team scoring last season with five goals.
Forward William Vasquez returns along with utility man Bruno Damein, right fullback Alex Ingraham, fifth-year defender Andrew Jevne and keeper Luke Owen.
Forward Haydn McLean, who played at the University of New Bruinswick, Jeremy Gopal, who was at the University of Alberta, and forward Hayden Slaymaker, who was also at the U of A, are back after spending last season away.
Left fullback Bezhan Ayam of Red Deer, who played senior men’s soccer, is one of the newcomers Fullarton has been looking to add for “a couple of seasons.”
One of the impressive youngsters in camp is Jerson Paez, who comes from the Red Deer U18 program and will play on the left side either up front or in the midfield.
Forward Alex Brezovan also played with the U18 program. Defender Emmanuel Drame of Red Deer forward Elmutsaium Fadlelmola of Edmonton, midfielder Skylar Roth of Edmonton and utility man Yenner Teah of Calgary, who played at the U16 nationals, are the other new faces.
The Kings played four exhibition games, defeating The Kings University College 4-1, Augustana 4-2, Grande Prairie 4-3 and tying Grant MacEwan University, who plays in the CIS, 1-1.
“The results gave us a lot of confidence. In fact tying a CIS school was a boost for sure,” said Fullarton.
RDC opens at home this weekend as they host Olds Saturday and SAIT Sunday. The women kick off at noon both days, followed by the men.
“It’s going to be tough right off the bat,” said Fullarton. “In fact I don’t see any easy games.”