Sharks Trade for All-Star Defender Gaston Pernia
Team sends first-round pick
from 2007 expansion draft to Philadelphia KiXX
ORLANDO, FL - The Orlando Sharks, Central Florida's professional soccer team, today announced that they have acquired defender Gaston Pernia in a trade with the Philadelphia KiXX. The Sharks sent midfielder Jonathan Steele, the team's first pick in the 2007 MISL Expansion Draft, to the KiXX to complete the deal. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pernia is expected to report to the Sharks by the end of the week to participate in the team's training camp, which began on Monday, Sept. 24.
"Getting a veteran player of Gaston's caliber really strengthens our team," head coach Jake Dancy said. "He knows what it takes to play in this league and can help our younger players learn. Gaston is an excellent defender and can take a lot of pressure off our back line."
Pernia, a nine-year indoor soccer veteran, came to Philadelphia by way of the 2007 MISL Expansion Draft, in which he was the seventh overall pick, chosen in the third round. Prior to that he was an original member of the Chicago Storm, who began play in the 2004-05 season. A captain for the Storm, Pernia holds the franchise record for blocks in a season with 64. He totaled 58 blocks in 2006-07, good for second in the league. In 29 games last season, he recorded just six penalty minutes.
Pernia began playing indoor soccer in 1996-97 with the Seattle Sea Dogs of the Continental Indoor Soccer League. The following season he helped lead the Sea Dogs to their only CISL championship. During the 1998-99 season, Pernia played in 31 games, starting the season with the Florida Thundercats before joining the KiXX, scoring a career-high 10 goals. After a two-year hiatus, he led the San Diego Sockers and the entire World Indoor Soccer League in blocks with 53, and followed that up with 80 in 2001-02, in which he was chosen an MISL All-Star. Pernia would go on to play for the Monterrey Fury before being picked up by the Storm in a dispersal draft.
The Orlando Sharks, Central Florida's professional soccer team, begin their 30-game inaugural season with the Opening Night Gala on October 26 against the New Jersey Ironmen. There are 15 games at Amway Arena to experience all of the fast-paced, high-scoring family fun of Orlando's newest sports entertainment attraction at a great value. For ticket information, visit www.orlandosharks.com/tickets.aspx.
About the Orlando Sharks and MISL
The expansion Orlando Sharks, an operating unit of Orlando-based BVC Sports & Entertainment, are the newest team to join the current Major Indoor Soccer League. The Sharks will compete with the Baltimore Blast, California Cougars, Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition, La Raza de Monterrey (MX), Milwaukee Wave, New Jersey Ironmen and Philadelphia Kixx in the 2007-08 MISL season. The league is in its 24th consecutive year of operation, starting as the American Indoor Soccer Association in 1984 and then the National Professional Soccer League beginning in 1990 before the MISL name was established in 2001.
About Buena Vista Corporation
Buena Vista Corporation was formed in 2004 and has acquired property for development and sale throughout the area, including the Lake Ruby mixed use development project. Additional land acquisition and development projects are also underway. Buena Vista Corporation President and CEO Shamanand Kuldip Maharaj was born in Trinidad-Tobago and has co-developed properties in the U.S. and Canada. Buena Vista Corporation also consists of a professional team of developers, land planners and architects, hospitality project managers and financial analysts. Buena Vista Corporation also represents international financial organizations interested in Central Florida investments and works with domestic and foreign investment organizations.