VETERAN JEFF DIMARIA RETURNS TO AMBUSH

St. Charles, MO

Veteran indoor soccer midfielder Jeff DiMaria will return for the 2015-16 season, the St. Louis Ambush announced today. In making the announcement of DiMaria’s signing, Ambush General Manager Andrew Haines praised Jeff’s experience, leadership, work ethic and skill. “Dimo really is the total package,” Haines said, “and I’m pleased we could bring him back for the coming season.”

The upcoming season, which starts November 14, will be DiMaria’s eighth. He previously played five seasons for the St. Louis Steamers between 2000 and 2006. He returned to the indoor pitch when the current Ambush franchise launched in 2013. In 2013-14, DiMaria recorded six goals, five assists and 14 blocks in 17 games played. Jeff appeared in 13 games last season, registering five goals, six assists and nine blocks.

DiMaria was a two-time All State player at CBC High School, played two seasons at the University of Connecticut, then finished his collegiate career with two seasons at St. Louis University and is a member of the Billiken Hall of Fame. His amateur career included playing for the Scott Gallagher U-19 national championship team in 1996 and the U-23 national championship team in 1998.

DiMaria’s professional career began when the Colorado Rapids of MLS drafted him in 2000. His indoor career commenced when the Steamers, who were then playing a summer schedule as part of the WISL, signed him in 2000. In 2003, Jeff returned to the outdoor pitch when he played for the St. Louis Strikers of the Premier Developmental League (PDL). DiMaria also played for the United States National Futsal Team in 2003.

“I’ve always loved playing here in my hometown,” Jeff said. “I hope to contribute to this team and give our great fans more to cheer about.” Jeff is a St. Charles native. He and his wife Sara have four children and reside in Fenton.

The new season begins Saturday, November 14 when the Ambush host the Chicago Mustangs at 4:35 p.m. at the Family Arena. Fans can get a preview of the new season when the Ambush host a free Fan Fest and pre-season game this Saturday, October 3 at the Family Arena. Among the activities planned are a block party with music, inflatables for the kids, a premiere showing of the documentary “Whoomp There It Is: The Story of the 1995 NPSL Champion St. Louis Ambush,” and a pre-season game against the expansion Cedar Rapids Rampage, followed by an autograph session on the field. For the complete Fan Fest schedule of events, visit the Ambush official website at stlouisambush.com.

The Ambush will get another tune-up for the regular season when they journey to Cedar Rapids to face the Rampage in another pre-season match on Friday, October 30.

Season tickets are now on sale and start at just $100. Single-game tickets will go on sale in October. Call the Ambush office at 636-477-6363 for more information. Keep up with Ambush news anytime by visiting the team’s official web site, stlouisambush.com, the Ambush Facebook page, facebook.com/stlouisambush, or on Twitter, twitter.com/stlouisambush.