The Seahorses returned to the Las Vegas Silver Mug Tournament for the 6th year in a row February 9-11.  The Seahorses consider this the first tryout phase for the Summer PDL team.The focus of our team time talks was "Prayer".  It was great to see how God moved within the team and outside of the team as we prayed for each other and others were praying for us. One of the ways that God moved was in our first game, we played a team called San Antonio.  After the game we met up with the players and realized that some of their players were from a town south of Guadalajara where the PDL team had gone on tour for 3 consecutive summers.  It was great to interact with this group and to see how God had connected us once again!

On the field, Coach Todd Elkins had the opportunity to look at players and the other staff had a chance to interact with players who are interested in playing this summer in a 2-3 day trip rather than just one tryout. God certainly blessed the team in a special way as the group clicked quickly both on and off the field.  They blended well as they placed second in their group of six teams. They moved on to the round of sixteen where in a tough fought match they lost 2-1. The main purpose of the trip is to glorify God and be a testimony for Him on and off the field. This particular group  did a great job in this aspect. After each game drinks and a team flier are shared with our opponents. It was exciting to see several of the recipients reading the flier which explained what/who the Seahorses represent and the good news of Jesus Christ. 

The tryouts will continue throughout the month of March.  We would ask you to pray for us that God will grant the staff wisdom in knowing what players to select as those who are to be trained in Sports Ministry this summer

Seahorses' forward Steven Lenhart scored a goal against the Kansas City Wizards in a pre-season scrimmage in Florida. Sigi Schmid appears to be impressed by Steven's play. "One surprise at camp has been Steve Lenhart, the kid from Azuza Pacific," said Schmid. "He just keeps working. Whenever you think you can forget about him for a second he's back in there snapping at your heels and he's scored some big goals in training."

The Seahorses Connect with the MLS via Ianni and Lenhart

Patrick Ianni, former Southern California Seahorses player, is a member of the MLS Champions Houston Dynamo. "United States U-23 participant, Patrick Ianni has shown himself worthy of time on what is statistically the league’s best backline. Returning from USL loan in May, Ianni found the net against the Wizards and subsequently found more time on the field. Turning that promise into regular starts may be tough on this club, but making the most of late-game substitutions and keeping his head in the game could mean a breakout year for the Generation Adidas defender."

Steven Lenhart from the 2007 Southern California Seahorses was the 48th player chosen in the MLS Super Draft in Baltimore, Maryland.  He was selected  by the Columbus Crew  and  will be attending the Columbus Crew training camp that begins in about a week. 

With the Seahorses in an abbreviated season, he scored 4 goals, including one against the Galaxy Reserve. After his junior year at Esperanza High School, Steven went with the Seahorses on a Soccer Missions Tour to Spain. Lenhart then played his collegiate soccer at Azusa Pacific University. He was named the 2007 GSAC and NAIA Region II Player of the Year, was named the 2007 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship Tournament MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player, in addition to earning NAIA All-American first team recognition. 

“I haven’t really had time to sit down and think about it,” said Lenhart. “I never thought I would play professional soccer, but it would definitely be cool for my future to try to pave a new road and do something different. I never dreamed of playing soccer after college until it just started becoming a reality over the last couple of months.” 

The Seahorses wish Patrick and Steven the very best in their MLS endeavors!