Rhinos build on tradition with defensive re-signings

Dema, Korol dealt Several German news services have reported that German soccer club FC St. Pauli has reached a loan agreement with Major League Soccer for Chicago Fire forward Dema Kovalenko. The team reportedly paid MLS $26,796 to take the former Greece Arcadia star on loan until April 30. At that time, St. Pauli must decide if it wants to acquire him on a transfer. Meanwhile, former Livonia High School standout Aleksey Korol -- a teammate of Kovalenko at Indiana University -- was traded along with midfielder Miguel Saavedra from the Dallas Burn to the Fire for a 2002 sixth-round draft pick and a conditional pick.

By Jeff DiVeronica
Democrat and Chronicle

(Wednesday, January 16, 2002) -- What's better than re-signing two of your best defenders?

Signing three of them.

The Rochester Rhinos, whose four title teams were built on stifling defense, re-signed veterans Scott Schweitzer and Bill Sedgewick on Tuesday and hope to add three-time team MVP Craig Demmin soon.

"We've made him a very good offer," Rhinos general manager Chris Economides said of Demmin, who spent last year in MLS with Tampa Bay after leaving Rochester following the 2000 season.

Schweitzer, the five-time league All-Star central back, signed a three-year contract and the versatile Sedgewick agreed to a one-year deal. Both were free agents. Terms were undisclosed.

"The players that have signed have been the character of this team," coach Pat Ercoli said. "They always find a way to win."

Demmin did, too. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound central back teamed with Schweitzer to anchor the league's most dominating defense for three seasons (41 shutouts in 84 games). "They are obviously a proven commodity," Economides said.

He added that the Charleston (S.C.) Battery, who have been chasing the Rhinos the past few seasons, are also "heavily" pursuing Demmin. The Trinidad & Tobago native was waived by Tampa Bay in November. MLS folded Tampa last week.

Fuseini Dauda and Kalin Bankov played in Demmin's spot last year, but the Bulgarian Bankov played throughout the playoffs. Dauda is not expected back. Bankov, 36, is under contract, but Ercoli said carrying Demmin, 30, and Bankov on the same roster could work. Schweitzer and Bankov are each offensive-minded enough to play in other spots, he said.

When Schweitzer was asked if having three top-shelf central backs on the same team could work he said, "I don't see why not. You have three good players who aren't jerks with bad attitudes."

The fiery Schweitzer's attitude has been questioned by some opponents, but not his talent. The two-time A-League Defender of the Year has played in five straight title games (1995 with Carolina). He is enjoying his first off-season since 1995 because he's not playing indoor soccer. He and wife Kirsten are living in the Cleveland area.

"I'm out of shape but at least I'm not hurt," he said. "I think rest was probably the best thing for me, but I miss (playing)."

Sedgewick, 30, misses winning. His indoor team, the Cleveland Crunch, is just 4-15 in their first season under coach Mike Pilger, the former University of Rochester coach and Greece native. He has started at outside defense and midfield in his three Rhinos seasons and been active in the community.

"I'm a pretty simple player and (returning) was a pretty simple decision," he said.

Notes: Economides said the only thing holding up the signing of midfielder Temoc Suarez, an indoor teammate of Sedgewick and Rhinos forward Jimmy Tanner, is the release from his contract by Connecticut, which has dropped down to the third-division level.