Heath Pearce

HANSA ROSTOCK SIGN PEARCE UNTIL 2009
Chad Winger for Yanks Abroad Monday, July 16, 2007

Pearce in Denmark
US left back Heath Pearce has become the latest former Portland University player to join the German top flight, signing a two-year deal with Hansa Rostock after a short trial.

Pearce, 22, follows fellow Pilots Conor Casey, Steve Cherundolo and Kasey Keller to the Bundesliga.

"[Pearce] and Hansa Rostock have agreed to a deal until June 2009," Sporting Director Herbert Maronn confirmed to YA. "We expect him to compete and challenge for an important spot on our team."

"We are excited to have a young player of his caliber joining us for preseason and the upcoming season."

Hansa Rostock, last members of the Bundesliga in the 2004/05 season, won promotion after finishing eight points behind runaway winners Karlsruhe in last campaign's 2. Bundesliga.

Pearce, who spent 2 1/2 years for FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga, was previously linked to FC Copenhagen, Hannover 96 and AEK Athens.


I saw a European "signings" site that listed salaries...quite hefty!!

Way to go Heath! Although why the Portland University and not University of Portland? What is it... 1950?

It's great to see so many Pilot succeeding at the next level in soccer, and not just in the MLS but over in Europe.

As I posted earlier, I think the Pilot men might finally be in for a return to glory this year. All the pieces are in place... now it's up to the guys to actually live up to the expectations. I think they can do it!

Hate to be a pesimist..But I don't think post season is in the cards..The way their schedule looks (weak preseaon included) they will most likely need to win the WCC to get a nod and several teams look to strong to do that.
I do hope Biggs allows them to play more possession soccer instead of the continual longball out of the back we had to endure last year.
A lot will hinge on Sanders coming back, how the freshman do and whether we can come up with a duo at center mid! Dallman led the team in assists the past three years..so they will need a playmaker to step it up too!

True, true... clearly they've got to win games. USF and Santa Clara should be tough, but there's no reason why the Pilots can't finish third. And all those wins in the pre-season, while against weaker opponents, will at least make the record look good and help with a ranking.

As for Sanders... is his return up in the air? I thought he was a lock.

Collen Warner will do just fine creating in the middle, though they will definitely miss Dallman a lot. Not really sure who will step in and take his spot... Greg Rouse maybe? Also, a healthy Oakes should help.

I don't know... I guess I just kind of have a gut feeling that this team will finally make something happen.

My understanding is that Oaks is gone. Collen Warner is great in the middle, but needs a strong partner(we haven't have that since Babcock graduated) to allow him to focus on play making.
Sanders is in Germany now trialing with a Oberliga team in Hamburg and won't return if he signs.
Dallman's replacement will most likely be Leland ?(S.D. transfer)..The left side is strong with Griffin and Gaven trading defensive and outside mid roles.
There are a couple strong freshman coming in VanShake and Freddie (the kid from McMinville) So..the potential is there. I'm hoping to see some exciting soccer on the bluff.

Didn't know Oaks was gone... that's sad to hear. He was a good player, but had just a nightmare season last year with the injuries and then with the terrible attack on him. Biggs mentioned at the end of the year banquet that he would be coming back, but I suppose that was a long time ago and things change.

Leland Wright is super fast, but I'm not sure he's the best replacement for Dallman. Hmm... you're right. The middle is going to be an issue.