Logan turns professional at indoor outfit Blast
By Derek deChabert and Stephen Wright
Bermuda international Logan Alexander has turned professional with Baltimore Blast after winning a full-time contract at the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) team.
Logan, who was recommended for tryouts by Blast assistant coach Andrew Bascome, beat off competition from around 30 other trialists to sign pro terms with the NISL defending champions.
The 23-year-old left back had only recently returned to the Island from his overseas studies and started the domestic season in fine form for Premier Division side North Village.
He said was "ecstatic" to join the Blast and vowed to become a regular starter with the East Coast outfit.
"You never know when you will get an opportunity to go on trials and you never know how it will turn out.
"This time it was a happy ending for me. I'm ecstatic," said Alexander, who played at the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I.
Alexander was selected for trials along with fellow Bermudians Coolridge Durham, Aquino Grant, Dennis Russell and Angelo Simmons by former Blast talisman, Bascome, who is also the Island Soccer League (ISL) commissioner.
Boulevard striker Simmons managed to make it through to the final week of the trials but did not do enough to gain a contract.
"It was unfortunate that all the Bermudian players did not make it.
"But we all still have this experience together and they will have other opportunities to play professional," said Alexander yesterday.
"It was a tough journey to get where I am today, but it was well worth it. The trials were exactly how I thought it would be.
"The first few days of training was intense with about thirty players fighting for positions on the team. I was surrounded by very good players everyday challenging me to be better and become a better player."
Alexander will not be the only Islander plying his trade in the NISL this season with fellow Bermuda international John Barry Nusum looking to return to action with the Philadelphia Kixx after a lengthy injury.
And Alexander could join Crystal Palace Baltimore striker, Nusum, by also playing for a professional outdoor team as the majority of the Blast players also feature for USL-D1 and D2 teams during the off-season.
"My goals for this season will be simple, just try to help the Baltimore Blast win another championship this season, earn a role on the team, and be a consistent player who exceeds my coaches expectations," added Alexander.
"I want to make Bermuda and the Baltimore Blast organisation proud."
Sister, Kristin, who is Alexander's number one fan, was the first family member he contacted to share his exciting news.
"We are so proud of Logan," she said.
"It took a lot of sacrifice and hard work over the years, but he is finally reaping the rewards.
"He has always had our support and we are just so excited that he has the opportunity to live his dream.
"I was the first family member that he told when he called me at work. I don't think I have ever been so happy. I was so overwhelmed and I could hear him smiling through the phone.
"We have always been very close and I am on top of the world right now because I know this is just the beginning."
"When he was presented with this opportunity to go for trials with the Baltimore Blast we all said we knew he would make it, but we were all on edge the entire time he was up there."
n Khano Smith made his second appearance for English League Two side, Lincoln City, against Morecambe at the weekend.
Smith, 28, started the game but was substituted at half time. The Imps lost the match 3-1.
Coach Chris Sutton said: "We win as a team and we lose as a team, I felt at half-time we were still in it but we conceded again just after half-time. Again we created chances but it wasn't to be.
"I think its fair to say we could have dealt with the goals a lot better but it's not about picking out individuals, we win and lose together."
