April 10, 2000

MILWAUKEE - The UWM men's soccer team has added another two players to its roster, according to coach Louis Bennett.

Defender Khaled El-Ahmad (Uppsala, Sweden/Granby Ishall Gymnasium) and goalkeeper Kirk Thode (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) will be freshmen on the 2000 UWM men's soccer team.

El-Ahmad is a defender who helped lead his team to the U-18 Schools World Cup and a 10th-place finish in the 36-team field. He plays for the Sirius Club Team of the Swedish national men's league. El-Ahmad's father is Lebanese, and his mother is Czech. He has lived in Sweden since he was nine years old.

"We were happy with our strong local recruiting class, but the dynamics of the squad have changed slightly, making it apparent we needed support in the back line," said Bennett. "Our quest to find an experienced defender was accomplished by going to Sweeden. Khaled is a charismatic character who brings to the team the experience of knowing four languages and living in three cultures. My hope is that the transition from Scandinavia to the U.S. is smooth."

Thode has been named All-Conference, All-Metro Area and All-Academic at Rock Island High School. He also is the captain of the swim team.

"Kirk will join Chris Dadaian in the goalkeeping position for us," said Bennett. "He has worked extensively with UWM assistant coach Stan Anderson as a youth player in camps. He shows great potential. He is stepping into a difficult position, playing behind someone with Dadaian's credentials, but it is a challenge he will relish."