Canterbury United land three overseas signings
Canterbury United will have a United Nations look this summer after snapping up two Americans and a Dutchman.
Sacramento natives, goalkeeper Kris Schultz and striker Matt Wiesenfarth, who both attended University of California, (Davis), arrive next month to link up with the Dragons.
Dutch holding midfielder/ defender Colin van Gool touched down in Christchurch on Thursday and will work as Mainland Football’s marketing and communications intern.
The 21-year-old was on the books of Helmond Sport in the Dutch second-tier division, but battled for first team opportunities.
He follows in the footsteps of former midfielder Jesse Dingjan, who played at a lower level than van Gool in the Netherlands, and represented the Dragons last season, while gaining experience at Mainland Football.
Canterbury coach Willy Gerdsen said Schultz and Wiesenfarth came highly recommended via a coaching contact in the US.
‘‘Both are at the right age and are very nice guys, who want to do well.’’
Schultz will challenge Cashmere Technical’s Danny Knight for the starting goalkeeping berth as Canterbury look to fill the void of last year’s No 1 Coey Turipa, who is playing for national league new boys, Tasman United.
Wiesenfarth, who attended a US under-20s training camp in 2011, recently played for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes’ feeder side, Burlingame Dragons in the Premier Development League.
Gerdsen said he could play a variety of attacking roles and was a different type of striker to English recruit Stephen Hoyle, who scored 10 goals for WaiBop United last season.
‘‘He has a lot of speed, has a good eye for goal and technically, he’s a very good player. He’s very good in penetrating the back four.’’
Gerdsen’s philosophy has always been to look at the Mainland Premier League first, but if there was a dearth in certain positions, cast the net further afield.
Several uncontracted MPL players would train with the Dragons and if they were worthy of a spot, be rewarded with selection.
Schultz and Wiesenfarth hadn’t broken the bank and Gerdsen was optimistic the duo would remain in Christchurch beyond this season.
‘‘I can guarantee you there are no resources wasted. We have limited resources if you compare it to the big cities and the big teams.
‘‘The few resources we have, we’ve used very wisely.’’
To build on last year’s semifinal finish and deal with the expected defections of Andre de Jong, Brock Messenger, Angus Kilkolly [who are all playing offshore] and Turipa’s move north, Canterbury needed to bolster their squad.
Gerdsen believed this season’s national league would be highly competitive with big-spending Eastern Suburbs from Auckland joining the league.
Most Auckland-based players wanted to play for teams in their city and Tasman’s addition also meant a tussle for top players in the Mainland region.
‘‘That’s what we’re up against. It’s very, very strong.
‘‘We want to fill the team with a high percentage of local players ... The door is never closed.
‘‘I’m in contact with every [MPL] coach on a weekly basis.’’
Gerdsen expects to a carry a squad of 22 players this season.
The national league is set to kick off in late October with the draw to be released soon.