Wisconsin Soccer Central

Jay DeMerit (Green Bay/Bay Port) has been a vital part of the Vancouver Whitecaps' recent history – the center back was the first player they signed before making the move to Major League Soccer and has been the team's captain ever since.

And DeMerit will continue his career with the Whitecaps, as he re-signed with the club on Monday. Per MLS policy, terms of the contract weren't disclosed, but his comments to the media seemed to indicate that it is a one-year deal.

"With the strong nucleus we have created over the past few years, together with the young talent we will help grow, I believe the future of this club is bright and I look forward to being a part of it," said DeMerit, who turned 34 on Dec. 4.

DeMerit signed with Vancouver on Nov. 18, 2010, and played in 66 of the team's 68 matches in 2011 and '12, but ruptured the Achilles' tendon in his left leg just 6 minutes into the team's season opener last year. He came back quicker than the typical recovery time for such an injury and played in the final seven matches.

"As he has proven over the last three seasons, Jay is an important member of our club," said Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson, who was promoted to head coach in December after two seasons as an assistant with the team. "He's a total leader ... The experience, energy, and standards Jay brings to our group is second to none and we're delighted that he has committed to continuing his career with our club.”

DeMerit had six stellar seasons with English club Watford, helping the Hornets earn promotion to the Premier League in May 2006, and was a regular for the U.S. national team in 2009 and '10, starting all four matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

On Twitter: @D6MERIT

• Midfielder Brad Ring, who starred for the Madison 56ers in the National Premier Soccer League in 2007 and '08, signed with the expansion Indy Eleven of the second-division North American Soccer League on Wednesday. He spent five seasons in MLS, making 37 appearances for the San Jose Earthquakes and one with the Portland Timbers last season after being traded Sept. 5. On Twitter: @BradRing87
• Rosters were announced for this weekend's USL PRO Combine in Bradenton, Fla., with 102 players divided into six teams. Center back Greg Rosenthal (UW-Milwaukee) was placed on Team 1, left back Paul Dillon (Marquette) is on Team 3, goalkeeper Bryce Boyd (Milwaukee Marquette/UW-Milwaukee) will play for Team 4 and right back Alexander Tozer (Whitefish Bay Dominican) is on Team 5. Eight of the nine scrimmages from the Combine, which starts Thursday and runs through Sunday, will be streamed live for free through the league's YouTube channel – as will all USL PRO regular-season and postseason matches this year. On Twitter: @PaulyD_2
• Midfielder Jonathan Greenfield, who scored twice in the Milwaukee Wave's 16-4 victory over the Missouri Comets on Saturday, was named to the Major Indoor Soccer League Team of the Week. Teammates Ian Bennett and Giuliano Oliviero earned honorable mention on the weekly squad. The first-place Wave (9-2) play host to the St. Louis Ambush (4-8) on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Arena, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. On Twitter: @espengreenfield @IanBennett26