By Datti Jinkiri
Coach Mark McKeever's 2017 Mississippi Brilla FC squad continues to take shape with recent additions. CSU Bakersfield teammates Louis Lapouge and Jacob Alatorre are the latest players to commit their summers to Brilla’s Premier Development League season, pending league approval.
Lapouge played in 18 matches, racking up nine starts. The 6'1” Parisian forward scored twice and added two assists in his first American collegiate season. McKeever is expecting big things from Lapouge.
“Louis is a true number nine (striker), and that's something we really lacked last year. He has the ability to put the back line under pressure with his high intensity off the ball. Louis’ main priority and objective is to score goals. This shines through his work ethic and movement off and with the ball. I feel that Louis could be the player to provide a big impact in front of goal. He is another player who had a solid season at the D1 level and should be ready to impact the PDL.”
Alatorre, an outside back, made 14 starts out of the 17 matches he played in this past season. The Bakersfield native picked up an assist and was a part of three shutouts. The sophomore was a mainstay on the Roadrunners' back line and McKeever is looking to him to replicate his performance.
“Jacob is now starting to find his feet at Bakersfield . He has solidified a starting spot for them this spring, and I heard from the coaching staff that he was Man of the Match against the Pachuca U-20 team. Jacob will bring speed and athleticism to the team, and he loves to be on the football pitch. He will provide the desired work ethic to be very successful in the PDL!”
Brilla will open its 11th PDL season with a May 20th road game against Peachtree City MOBA.
(Louis Lapouge is pending league approval.)