April 14, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - As the UAB men's soccer team closes its spring season with the annual alumni game this Saturday afternoon at West Campus Field, there have been a couple of former UAB men's soccer players that are shining as professionals. UAB alumni Dejan Jakovic (D.C. United) and Sandy Gbandi (Puerto Rico Islanders) have each been making a name for themselves in the pro ranks.

"It's great to see our former players doing well," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "Dejan and Sandy were terrific players at UAB and I am glad to see the success they are having as professional soccer players."

Jakovic, who played at UAB from 2005-07, was acquired by Major League Soccer's (MLS) D.C. United after he played one season with European power Redstar Belgrade in Serbia's first division (Serbian Superliga). Since his arrival, Jakovic has started and played every minute in each of his four games at the central defensive spot.

Jakovic has anchored a defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest goals in the MLS and helped guide the team to a 1-1-2 start this season. D.C United head coach Tom Soehn expressed his pleasure to have Jakovic on his team.

"The important thing for us was to find someone that has good feet, has the ability to organize, has got a presence in the air and has got pace. I think Dejan fills all those needs," said Soehn in a previous article on dcunited.com. "We are still going to be young in the back, [but] that could be a real positive if they mold well together."

Similar to Jakovic's strong play, Gbandi has also played impressively with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the United Soccer League (USL) First Division. Recently, the Houston, Texas native led his team to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League against Mexico powerhouse Cruz Azul. In the first leg, Gbandi, who played at UAB from 2003-06, scored the first goal and assisted the second in a 2-0 Puerto Rico victory over the Mexican team.

However, Cruz Azul won the second leg of the semifinal match in regulation 2-0 to level the aggregate score. In the extra time, Gbandi again struck in the 92nd minute to give his team a 2-1 lead. However, just four minutes later, Cruz Azul would draw even. The score would end in a 2-2 draw, with the Mexicans ousting Puerto Rico by 4-2 in a shootout.

Despite not having Jakovic and Gbandi available on Saturday for the annual Alumni game, there should be a competitive and fun atmosphere. Former UAB greats will compete against current UAB players in a 90-minute contest.

"The Alumni Game is always a fun event for our players young and old alike," Getman said. "We have had players that have played professionally and have had successful careers doing so. The alumni take this game seriously and will present a very tough challenge for our current players. It should be a very entertaining game to watch."

Kickoff at West Campus Field is set for Saturday, April 18, at 3 p.m.