Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Former Soccer Standout Wins NASL Title With Minnesota Stars

Kyle Altman, a 2009 Trinity University graduate, was team captain of the North American Soccer League champion Minnesota Stars, which clinched the title on Saturday.

Altman, a defender who led the NASL league in minutes played, helped lead his team to the NASL Championship at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Stars wrapped up the NASL Championship after a 0-0 tie with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

In the two-legged NASL Championship format, Minnesota defeated Fort Lauderdale 3-1 last week at Blaine, Minn. The Stars won the title with a 3-1 total-goals victory.

NASL Individual Stats Leaders

Altman (Albuquerque, N.M.) earned a bachelor of arts from Trinity in 2009, after taking off the season from the NASL to earn his degree.

The New England Revolution selected Altman with the 27th pick of the 2008 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft, but he didn't sign with the team. The Minnesota Thunder,signed him in March 2008. The Thunder later ceased operations and became the Minnesota Stars.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Altman was a two-time NCAA Division III All-American for Trinity, earning the honors in 2006 and 2007. Altman played on the 2007 gold medal Pan American Maccabi Games team in Argentina.

Altman's brother, Kelly, is also a former Trinity soccer and football standout. He currently serves as the Tiger men's assistant coach, and as the head boys coach of San Antonio's Central Catholic High School.