Video Interview with Deren on Newcomers

DETROIT -- Nine newcomers will join the Titans for the 2012 season in David Edwardson, Alex Mendonca, John Wrona, Vicente Jaramillo, Jacob Prudhomme, Matt Harkema, Dom Hunter, Jason Leslie, and Ali Fardoun as announced from men's soccer head coach Nick Deren.

David Edwardson (Newcastle, United Kingdom/Walbottle) spent two years at Jackson Community College where he was named first team All-Region and All-Conference in 2010 and 2011. In 2011, he was part of a Jets team that reached the NJCAA Region XII Semifinals as the center midfielder. At Walbottle High School in Newcastle, he was recognized as the Player of the Year. He also played for Heddon's club team in the UK and was named the Player of the Season, Chairmans and Committee Player of the Season as well as a Northern Alliance All-Star.

“He brings some experience from England and two years at Jackson Community College. He was an impact player there and I expect him to be an impact player for us in the middle of the midfield,” said Deren.

Alex Mendonca (Belle River, ON/Belle River) played outside back for Belle River District. Mendonca spent three years playing for the Crew Soccer Academy Wolves, formerly the Derby County Wolves, in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. In 2010, he started 21 of his 22 appearances as a member of the Wolves' under-15/16 team. He was also part of the U16 Tecumseh Warriors that captured the Ontario Cup Championship. No stranger to the Motor City, his older brother Ryan was a former goalkeeper on Detroit's men's team in 2003.

“Mendonca should come in and compete for a starting spot at left back. He is a left-footed defender and played a significant amount of minutes for the Wolves' academy,” said Deren

John Wrona (Minot, ND/Minot) comes from Minot High School where he was a four-year letter winner in the backfield for the Magicians. Wrona played for South Dakota United while living in North Dakota. He served as the captain when the team went the distance and captured the state championship in 2011. Living in North Dakota, he had commutes of four and a half hours for club practices and games.

“He is from North Dakota and he plays for South Dakota United. I saw him at regionals and he is a big 6-3 center back who has great ability on the ball technically, is very clean and he is an athlete,” said Deren.

Vicente Jaramillo (Allen Park, MI/Western International) is a local product having played high school in the Detroit Public School system at Western. He also played for the Michigan Novi Jaguars club team for two years and is currently playing for the same CSA Wolves team as Mendonca.

“He brings that kind of flare to his game. He is very technical and has great ability on the ball. He is a playmaker and he makes other players miss,” said Deren.

Jacob Prudhomme (South Lyon, MI/South Lyon) comes in as someone Coach Deren is looking to be a model role player. He earned All-State honors in 2011 and garnered All-Region and All-District from 2009-11. He was also named team MVP three years in a row. He has played with the Novi Jaguars for six years in club soccer helping the club reach the state finals during that time.

“He is a South Lyon guy. He adds toughness, grit and passion for the game. He can get up and down the left side of the field and he is another left-footed player,” said Deren.

Matt Harkema (Hudsonville, MI/Unity Christian) helped Unity Christian to three straight OK Green Conference Championships. In 2009 and 2011, the Crusaders were district and regional champions, while winning a state championship in 2009 and finishing runner-up in 2011.For his part on the team, Harkema garnered All-District honors in 2010 and 2011 and was named All-Conference, All-District, All-Region and All-State. He was also tabbed to the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association All-Academic team. In club soccer, he played for the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors and helped that team to a National Championship in 2011.

“He comes from a very good team that won a national championship. He is their center forward and I'm anticipating him being our center forward here. He is a big 6-2, 6-3 forward that can run by players, hold up the ball and score and set up goals,” said Deren

Dom Hunter (Shipshewana, IN/Westview) was a four-year letter winner in soccer and track and field. In soccer, he took home All-Conference and All-Area honors all three years, All-District once and was named to the All-State Third Team in 2011. He has played club soccer with the Kalamazoo Kingdom helping the squad to the Michigan State Cup Finals in 2010.

“He has versatility on the wing. He can run by players out on the flanks and he delivers a great ball. He has been a forward most of his life, but I envision him playing as a wide player for us,” said Deren

Jason Leslie (Troy, MI/Troy) took home All-League and All-District honors his junior and senior years at Troy. With the Colts in his final year, he garnered All-Region, All-County and All-State Second Team honors while serving as the team captain. Academically, he was recognized as a Scholar Athlete all four years.

“Jason will bring some added depth and athleticism to the back line. He is a player that can basically jump out of the gym with a great vertical and he can win a lot of air balls for us. He is an athlete and he will play on the back line,” said Deren.

Ali Fardoun (Detroit, MI/Fordson) comes to Detroit after time at nearby Marygrove College, where he played in 29 games as a freshman and sophomore. In 2010, he helped the Mustangs to an 11-7 overall record. The defender played three years at nearby Fordson and also three years with the club team Vardar. In 2010, he was with Vardar when they captured the national championship.

“He spent some time over at Marygrove and had some success and I'm looking for him to come here and add depth on the back line and even as a defensive center midfielder,” said Deren.

Coach Deren will begin his third full year behind the helm of the Titans in the 2012 season.