California Victory News Release - www.californiavictorysoccer.com

Friday, April 20, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The California Victory officially added another four players to it 2007 USL First Division roster Friday. Juán Epitié, Yuri Morales, Chuck Kim and Raul Palomares have signed for the San Francisco-based club, pending league and USSF approval. All four players join the team with extensive experience playing in Europe.

Juán Ramón Epitié-Dyowe Roig joins the Victory from parent club Deportivo Alavés of Spain.

Epitié is a forward who has played all over Spain, including stints at Racing Santander, CD Castellón and Recreativo de Huelva. During his time with Real Madrid B, he played alongside Barcelona ace Samuel Eto'o. He represents the Equatorial Guinea Nat ional Team and has appeared in the African Cup of Nations.

"Epí brings speed, strength and depth to the squad," said Victory head coach Glenn Van Straatum. "He will give our attack another dimension and will only make the team better."

Yuri Morales is an attacking midfielder who is familiar with the USL, having played for the Portland Timbers and Puerto Rico Islanders.

Morales holds the University of Massachusetts record for Most Career Assists with 28 and was a first-team New England selection in 2003. In 2002 and 2003 he was a first-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection, and after graduation he played for Viborg FF and Ølstykke FC of Denmark.

"Yuri is someone who plays with heart," said Van Straatum. "He works hard on and off the field and can be very dangerous in the box."

Midfielder Chuck Kim finished high school in 2002 and joined USL (then A-league) club Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He then traveled to Europe to try out for Roda JC in Holland and Alemannia Aachen in Germany, before joining Lierse SK in Belgium. He then returned to the United States and played for the Los Angeles Galaxy reserves.

"Chucky has incredible speed on the wing and can be a handful for any back line as he has the ability to take players on," said Van Straatum.

Midfielder Raul Palomares joins the Victory after spells in Germany, Croatia and at the Los Angeles Galaxy.

He made his international debut for the United States U17 national team in 1998, and was the only player on the 1999 roster for CONCACAF Qualifying not in residency in Bradenton, Fla. He has appeared for the United States U20 national team, trained with FC Kaiserslautern youth and reserve teams of the German Bundesliga, and played professionally in Croatia.

"Raul is a player with experience who has significantly improved," said Van Straatum. "He's another player that can make a big impact this season."

The Victory will continue ann ouncing signings over the next few days, ahead of the season opener in Vancouver on April 28. The team's first home game is an exhibition against Mexican team Necaxa 1A. Tickets are available at www.californiavictorysoccer.com