Wisconsin Soccer Central

After a frustrating stint in Ireland last year, Sam Dorf (Milwaukee Marquette) has started his professional soccer career in Israel.

The 22-year-old came on in the 55th minute Friday as host Hapoel Morasha Ramat HaSharon dropped a 2-1 decision to Hapoel Marmorek Rehovot in a Liga Alef South match in the country's third division.

Dorf played at NCAA Division II Mercyhurst (Pa.) and with the Milwaukee Bavarians and the Erie Admirals in the National Premier Soccer League before heading overseas. He joined Irish second-division club Waterford United last March and signed a contract, but wasn't able to be registered and placed on the team's roster due to a series of complications and regulations.

He went on trials and trained with several Israeli teams in the past few months, including Maccabi Haifa, before signing with Ramat HaSharon on Jan. 17. Ramat HaSharon (2-12-3) is last in the 16-team Liga Alef South with 13 matches remaining in the 2015-16 season.

On Twitter: @Sam_United_23

• Center back A.J. Cochran (UW) is on trial with Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls. The 22-year-old Cochran, the No. 16 pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, made 31 appearances (24 starts) for the Houston Dynamo in all competitions over the past two years, but became a free agent when the club declined its option for his 2016 contract. Cochran played the second of three 30-minute sessions in the Red Bulls' 3-1 victory over South Florida in their preseason opener Thursday in Four Corners, Fla. On Twitter: @Alec_Cochran