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RMU Men's Soccer Player Said Ali Selected in Second Round of MISL Amateur Draft

Former Colonial Rhian Dodds Seeing Fulltime Action In Scottish Premiere

3/20/2004


Moon Township, PA -- Robert Morris University men’s soccer player Said Ali (Hamilton, Ont./St. Bonaventure) was drafted by the Cleveland Force in the second round of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Amateur Draft Feb. 28 and was signed by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Pro Soccer League, March 5.

The MISL conducted its 2004 Amateur Draft at the Renaissance Airport Hotel during the MISL All-Star Weekend Feb. 28-29. The draft included a territorial round and four standard rounds of selection. Eight MISL clubs participated in the five-round event. Selection order was based on  teams’ winning percentage from their previous year’s play.

Ali, chosen 25th overall by Cleveland and who will hold amateur status with the Riverhounds, earned 2002 and 2003 All-Northeast Conference first team honors. One of the league’s top scorers, the senior forward was first in the NEC in goals (13), goals per game (0.68) and points (30) and was second in points per game (1.58) and tied for 10th in assists (4) in 2003. A two-time NEC player of the week, Ali finished his career with the Colonials registering 50 points on 24 goals and 7 assists.

Ali is the second player from Robert Morris to be drafted by the Cleveland Force. In 2003 former Colonial Rhian Dodds was drafted 10th overall by the Force. Before Ali and Dodds, forward Troy Fabiano and goalkeeper Doug Petras were both drafted in 1993 into the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) in the fourth round. Fabiano, who was also named NEC Player of the Year in 1993, was drafted 39th overall by the Milwaukee Wave, while Petras was chosen 41st by the Harrisburg (Pa.) Heat.

Note: Former Colonial Rhian Dodds is seeing fulltime action with Killmarnock Football Club of the Scottish Premiere League. Dodds recently started two straight matches against Old Firm Club, Glasgow Rangers. Dodds contract runs through the current season and he is hopeful to be resigned for the upcoming year. "I grew up a Ranger fan," said Dodds. "It was a thrill of a lifetime to walk through the tunnel of Ibrox [Rangers home stadium] and play in front of 60,000 people."