Yakima Reds Press Release - www.yakimareds.com

Friday, May 15, 2009

YAKIMA, WA - The Yakima Reds have signed 2009 Seattle Sounders Super Search winner Vini Oliveria, joining fellow finalists, 2008 PDL Most Valuable Player Junior Garcia and Al Valencia with the Reds this season.

After Oliveira's stint with the Sounders he bounced around the Northwest a bit before deciding to settle with the club just east of the Puget Sound. Teaming with Garcia and Sounders and Portland Timbers alumnus Jake Sagare, Oliveira will bring another attacking presence to an offense that was unable to capitalize on several occasions this past weekend.

“Vini is a great presence on the field, and his willingness and desire to come play with us is great,” said Coach Hector Vega. "He gives us one more person opposing defenses will have to account for, it’s always good when you can have three or four guys who can score on a regular basis.”

In the past, opposing teams have been able to focus in on Sagare and Garcia, even able to double up on each player from time-to-time. Now with Oliveria’s presence on the field, opposing defenses will have to consider how to stop a three-headed attack like the one the Reds will field for the remainder of the season.

“All three of them can play forward or midfield, so we have a lot of options for how we will set up and if you put too much emphasis on covering one or two of them, whoever is left can really do some damage." 
 
"Vini has tremendous upside potential," noted team President Perry Piercy. "He is a creative player and could be an integral part of this team when added to the proven experience of Garcia and Sagare on the frontline."

Adding even more impact for the Reds is the return of Midfielder Luis Galvan, who was not available for the Reds first two games, but was key to the Red’s success last year.

"With players such as Galvan and Avi Hernandez in the midfield, Vini should help this team be even more dangerous and a threat to score at anytime. I do expect for us to be a very exciting and a fun team to watch this season. Alvaro and his defensive mates should now have a little less pressure as we become more offensive" said Piercy.

The Reds now focus on their trip this weekend to face the Cascade Surge and the Portland Timbers U23. There is a sense that the club, which has yet to showcase it's full starting lineup are still a team to contend with in their division and things are looking up in Yakima.