Monroe College Soccer Coach Marcus Dibernado, the reigning NCSAA 2011 Coach of the Year, has signed two top-level soccer stars to round out his 2012 recruiting class.
Looking to build on the Mustangs' past two sensational seasons in which they compiled a 34-4 record, won consecutive Region and District titles, and appeared in back-to-back national tournaments, Coach 'D' has loaded the Mustangs once again so they can contend for the national championship, as they did in 2011 when they were National Finalists.
The latest two Mustangs are Amare Thomas, a midfilelder from the Caribeean and Fernando Eduardo Gonzalez Hidalgo, a center back from Costa Rica. 2012 Men's soccer schedule.
"I am thrilled that both Amare and Eduardo have chosen Monroe College as the place to launch their collegiate careers,” said coach DiBernardo. “These are two great additions to our already talented group of players. The team is very excited to welcome both players into the Mustangs' family. We expect they're going to fit in perfectly”
Amare Thomas, a 5'7” attacking midfielder from Trinidad and Tobago with endless potential, is expected to become one of the best players that the Monroe Mustangs have ever had. What he has been able to accomplish at such a young age speaks volumes.
In 2008 at age 15 he was recognized with the “Best Young Player” award from Presentation College, one of the most prestigious schools in south Trinidad (he also won the award the following season). In 2009 he attended a Dallas FC summer camp where he was named the camp's “Most Valuable Player”.
In 2010 he was named Presentation College's Footballer of the Year. Amare is not only quick and very physical, but he is also a good passer with great vision and shooting technique. Born in a small community where soccer is the dominant sport, Amare feels blessed to have been given the opportunity to play soccer in the US.
He considers himself a role model to those back in his community because he is the only person from there to make it this far as a soccer player, a role he takes very serious. Besides attacking midfield, Amare can also play defensive midfield and right midfield.