By Dylan Butler
It might not sound quite as exotic, especially considering the torrential downpour Megaloudis attempted to dodge as he made his way into the parking lot two weeks ago. But for the former standout at Monsignor McClancy, the weeklong tryout with the New York Red Bulls could mark the start of a professional soccer career for the Queens native.”It couldn't have come at a better time because I just finished training for a month, so I was in good shape and it was a good time for me to come and try out,” Megaloudis said.It has been a pretty hectic month for Megaloudis, who played collegiately at Stony Brook University. Thanks to Stony Brook assistant coach Dariel Collazo, who was a former vice president of the Puerto Rico Football Federation, Megaloudis flew to Salinas to try out and immediately impressed coach Colin Clarke, formerly of F.C. Dallas of Major League Soccer.Megaloudis also contributed right away. He had an assist in a 2-0 win over Bermuda Jan. 16 and scored in a 2-2 draw with Trinidad & Tobago 10 days later.”I take advantage of anytime I can play soccer anywhere, so this opportunity came about with Puerto Rico and I took it,” Megaloudis said. “It's exciting for me, I'm glad I did and if they need me again, I'll come down and do it again.”Megaloudis was one of nine survivors of the Red Bulls' training camp, which had more than 30 hopefuls. He flew to the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., where the Red Bulls opened training camp Feb. 4.”I think he has some good skills,” Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. “Also, he knows, I told him this level is not about just tricks and things like that, it's about putting the ball in the net. I want to see him against better defenders and see if he can do that. If he does it, then he'll have a chance.”Also getting the chance as a non-roster invitee is former St. John's goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, who spent most of the past three seasons as a backup with the Columbus Crew.Gaudette traveled to California because Osorio wanted to train with four goalkeepers. Gaudette said he's got an Irish passport during the off-season, which opens up his options for this season.”I'm probably the fittest I've ever been and just getting back and getting ready to see what happens,” he said. “(MLS) is one of those leagues where you never really know. You play good for a while and you impress some people and you never know what's going to happen here or at another club in the league or an oversees connection.”Kevin Mesa, a Colombian-born Elmhurst resident, also made the trip. The former Newtown HS standout originally had planned to play for F.C. Schaffhausen of the Swiss Super League, but couldn't obtain a work permit. He took his dreams of playing professionally with him back to the United States and hopes to hook on with the Red Bulls.”I think I did a great job,” said Mesa, a natural forward who was asked to play left back and left midfield. “They put me in various position and I tried my best. I hope I'm chosen.”Reach Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
