University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis soccer announces signing class
Feb 04, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Feb. 4, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis’ men’s soccer squad is pleased to announce the addition of eight members to its roster for the fall 2011 season, including several of national significance.
Headlining the class is local talent Chandler Gagnon, a top-25 talent and third-highest rated player in the south by TopDrawerSoccer.com’s panel of experts. Gagnon, from Evangelical Christian School, was the Gatorade Tennessee Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2010 after scoring 16 goals and assisting on 17 goals for an ECS squad that finished 11-0-3.
Gagnon has already made a splash on the national stage, representing the United States last summer in the Discover Europe Tour.
Another local talent joins Gagnon on the fall roster, with Christian Brothers Paul Banks decision to stay home a benefit for the Tigers. Banks, the 20th-rated prospect in the south, will hopefully provide a scoring punch for next fall’s Tiger squad after being All-Metro and All-State for former Tiger Rogerio Lima’s Purple Wave squad.
Two new goal keepers will join the club next fall. Matt Derrington and Cody Uzcategui are both experienced goal keepers with similar backgrounds, having trained at the academy-level last season. Uzcategui, from the prestigious IMG Academy in Florida, graduated from West Orange High as an All-Metro keeper in 2010.
Derrington, meanwhile, is currently rated ninth overall in the Midwest, and second-highest goalie by TopDrawerSoccer.com after a sensational year with the US Development Academy. He played club ball for the prestigious Scott Gallagher club out of St. Louis.
Another find from west of the Mississippi is Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native Scott Elliott. Elliott hails from the same high school and club squad as current Tiger defender Thomas Shannon and was an Oklahoma Olympic Developmental player. He was twice named to the All-District squad.
Wil Linder, of Franklin, was a four-year letterwinner and two-time all-state selection at Ravenwood High School. Linder is an accomplished center-of-the-park player who will step in and contribute in a deep midfield group that includes incumbents Cody McCoy, Andreas Guentner and Liam Collins.
Linder also has a Memphis connection through his coach, Kenny Heckman, who played on the inaugural Memphis men’s soccer squad in 1982.
The final committed Tiger on signing day was Tyler Rist, from Madison, Alabama. Rist is a versatile player who can be used up front or in the middle. He was a five-time state champ for the Huntsville Futbol Club, with another state finals appearance to his credit in 2010.
More players are expected to announce their intentions to join the Tiger soccer team next fall. Check back on gotigersgo.com for these announcements and more.
The current Tigers will kick off the spring schedule with the annual Tim McCage Cup, against Christian Brothers, Feb. 25 at 3:30 p.m. on the soccer field at Park Avenue Campus. That will be followed by a trip to Dallas to train and compete against MLS squad FC Dallas, March 20.
Paul Banks –Ranked 20th in the South (TDS)…joined future teammate Chandler Gagnon on the TSWA Division II All-State Soccer teams for 2010 while representing Christian Brothers…two years named Commercial Appeal ‘Best of Preps’ finalist…lettered four years of soccer and one year of football, as the kicker, for Christian Brothers…All-Region and All-Metro for former Tiger Rogerio Lima at CBHS…Member of Tennessee Region III Olympic Development program squad…plans to be a psychologist…son of Vickie Baltz.
Scott Elliott – Part of Tulsa ’93 Club team that won Oklahoma State Club title four years in a row…from Broken Arrow, Okla., the same as current Tigers Thomas Shannon …was also the placekicker for the Broken Arrow High School football team for one year…Oklahoma All-District 6-A in 2009 and 2010…played in the national premier league in 2009-10…part of the Oklahoma Olympic Development Program…played for Alex Miranda at Broken Arrow HS…coached at the club level by Steve Earle.
Chandler Gagnon – Third-ranked player in the south by TopDrawerSoccer.com, and 25th in the country…represented the U.S. in last summer’s Discover Europe Tour as a defender…played club soccer for Alex Williams of the Tennessee Rush…named an ESPN Rise first-team All-American…was named the 2010 Gatorade Tennessee Boys Soccer Player of the Year, after leading Evangelical Christian School to an 11-0-3 record, registering 16 goals and 17 assists…coached by Ryan Lutz and Mark Forrest at ECS.
Wil Linder – Joined future teammate Jordan Johnson on the Tennessee High School Soccer Coaches Association 2009 Class AAA All-State team…also named to the 2010 All-State squad…a Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Class AAA honoree in 2010…son of Fred and Marla Linder…four-year lettermen for Ravenwood High School, playing in the midfield and on the backline…member of the Brentwood Premier 93 for Coach Ken Heckman, a Memphis soccer alum (1982-85)…was awarded the ‘Future Star of Tomorrow’ award from his club squad in 2010.
Cody Uzcategui –Tended the net at the prestigious IMG Academy...coached by Keith Fulk and Scottie Dean at IMG…started all four years at West Orange High School for coach Scott Fisher, in the right midfield as a freshman before switching to keeper for the last three years…first team All-Metro as a senior…graduated with honors from West Orange High in 2010…named to the Development Academy Southeast Region starting XI squad in 2008…plans to major in international business and wants to be involved in marketing after his Memphis career…son of Ernesto and Holly Uzcategui.
Tyler Rist – Versatile player can be used up front or wide in the midfield…Five-time Alabama State champion on the club level for Huntsville Futbol Club, most recently in 2008…state finalist on the club level in 2010…Captain and senior leader for Bob Jones High School in 2011, under Uwe Spiller…plans to major in biomedical engineering in order to be a doctor or surgeon after graduating from Memphis…Earned several scholastic accolades at Bob Jones High, including National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta member…son of Mark and Sherry Rist.
Matt Derrington – Ninth-ranked player in the Heartland region by TopDrawerSoccer.com…spent the past year at the US Development Academy…part of Missouri’s Olympic Development program in 2008 and 2009…was an All-State and Goalkeeper of the Year, Class II, at Trinity Catholic High School in 2010, leading his school to the Missouri Class II Sectional Finals…lettered all four years at Trinity Catholic…played club ball for Scott-Gallagher out of St. Louis…son of Jeff and Diana Arrington.
