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JC Banks (Milwaukee Riverside) and Greg Rosenthal battled against one another for four years in Horizon League men's soccer action, Banks leading the UW-Green Bay attack and Rosenthal and his UW-Milwaukee teammates trying to slow him down.
Both former college standouts signed professional soccer deals this week, albeit on different continents.
Banks signed with the Rochester Rhinos in USL PRO, the third division of soccer in the U.S., while Rosenthal secured a contract with Gamla Upsala SK in the Swedish fourth division.
"JC is a good attacking player who is equally comfortable up front or in wide areas," Rhinos coach Bob Lilley said of Banks in a news release. "He can score goals as well as deliver a telling pass."
Banks, 21, was drafted by Toronto FC with the eighth pick of the Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft and reportedly had impressive trials with four Swedish clubs, but wasn't signed.
He finished his college career with 35 goals and 18 assists in 78 matches, including 12 goals and six assists as a senior for the Phoenix last fall. Banks started and played the full 90 minutes for the Rhinos in Friday night's season opener, a 1-0 road loss to the Richmond Kickers.
The 22-year-old Rosenthal, meanwhile, had a trial with MLS club Sporting Kansas City before turning his attention to Sweden. Former UWM player Khaled El-Ahmad, a native of Sweden who is an agent, and Panthers assistant Kyle Zenoni, who played in Sweden, helped the native of St. Paul, Minn., connect with Gamla Upsala.
"Greg is a good player with great character, who I believe will do well there," El-Ahmad said in a news release.
The club in Uppsala plays in the Division 2 Norra Svealand, one of six regional leagues that make up the fourth division in Sweden. Gamla Upsala finished sixth in the 12-team league last year and kicks off the season Saturday at home against Strömsbergs IF.
Rosenthal, who had five goals and four assists in 73 matches (70 starts) for UW-Milwaukee, was signed by manager Ramin Kiani after a trial that included a preseason friendly.
"This is a dream come true," Rosenthal said in a news release. "I have had great support from the UWM staff, and especially Khaled. The staff put in extra hours with me to prepare me for the next level. They are going to do great things and really made an impact straight away. I do not think I would have had an opportunity to play pro if it were not for the current Milwaukee coaching staff."
Wisconsin Soccer Central hopes to speak with Banks and Rosenthal about their pro careers in the near future.
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