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Manders snaps up MLS chance

Taurean (Snapper) Manders could follow in the footsteps of Khano Smith by becoming the next Bermudian to take the Major Soccer League (MSL) by storm.

But first the Bermuda international midfielder will have to convince the coaching staff at MSL club New York/New Jersey Metro Stars that he has what it takes to make the grade.

Manders, son of former Somerset Cup Match skipper Andre (Doc) Manders and former well-known netballer Cherie, heads off to the US on Monday to begin playing for Eastern Conference side?s Under-19 squad.

The Bermudian has perhaps enjoyed his finest moments in football over the past two years during which he captained Bermuda?s Under-20 World Cup squad in Jamaica and represented the Island at the senior national level against Barbados.

The 18-year-old defensive midfielder graduated last month from Pendleton School in Florida, home of the IMG Soccer Academy and current Under-19 Division and Dallas Cup champions.

Manders, who will begin studies next August at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, saw action for Kyle Lightbourne?s national squad that took a 7-0 hammering from visiting Manchester City Youth Academy last week at the National Sports Centre.

But he remains confident he has what it takes to impress the coaching staff at the Metro Stars.

?Playing football every day at the academy really helped me a lot,? he said. ?It?s hard to lose your sharpness and technique when you are playing football on a daily basis and the physical aspect really helps you to excel. My technical outlook on the sport has also been broadened.?

Manders is the first in his family to play college football in the US since uncle Arnold represented a powerful University of Alabama A&M team in the early 1980s along with fellow Bermudians Wayne (Spike) Richardson and Allen Richardson.

Speaking in the wake of Bermuda?s mauling from Man City, the former North Village youth player lamented: ? I think we could have done better. I think we were overawed a bit because they are professionals. I think we were too timid to play the way we usually play.?

Manders has set his sights on majoring in psychology but is quick to admit he would accept any offers to play professional football.

?I?d prefer to play football professionally in the UK if possible. But should a deal come about in the US then I?ll take it,? he added.

Manders was approached by Metro Stars team officials when the MSL club toured the Island last summer.

?Hopefully now I can get a chance to play in their reserve team,? he said. ?I feel good and confident I will do my best and then see where things go from there. Physically I am in good shape.?

The midfielder will remain at Metro Stars for the next four weeks before returning home for a short stay.

However, any chance of Manders making an appearance for PHC?s First Division cricket team later this summer now appear slim. ?I think I?ll put cricket on the back burner for now,? he said.

Meanwhile, the player received a ringing endorsement from assistant national coach Paul Scope.

?Snapper is an outstanding midfield prospect who has good control and great vision which suggests he will be a mainstay in the Bermuda midfield for many years to come,? said Scope.