United Alumni Remain Hopeful For MLS Supplemental Draft
1.16.11
READING, Pa. (January 16, 2012) – With the MLS Supplemental Draft only a day away, the Reading United still provides a number of options for MLS teams looking to bolster their rosters before training camp begins. The new four round format, the result of shortening the SuperDraft to two rounds, provides another chance for college players to have a lifetime dream fulfilled: being drafted into the MLS. The United have five alumni with a very real shot at hearing their names called during the conference call on Tuesday during the draft: UPenn midfielder Christian Barreiro, Delaware winger Evans Frimpong, Virginia forward Brian Ownby, West Virginia defender Eric Schoenle and Creighton keeper Brian Holt.
Barreiro was invited as one of 52 college seniors to the MLS Combine last week, after a college season that saw him lead Penn and set career highs in goals (7) and points (21). He also led the Ivy League in assists for the second straight season with seven, guiding him to his second first team All-Ivy League nod. An attacking, play-making midfielder, Barreiro notched four goals and a team-high seven assists for the United this past summer.
Frimpong opened eyes with the United for the past two seasons with his high octane style, netting one goal and four assists during his tenure. He came into his own during his senior season at Delaware, tallying 29 points on 12 goals and five assists, earning him a chance to showcase his skills with Barreiro at the MLS Combine. A second team NSCAA All-American and Mac Hermann Trophy semifinalist, Evans will likely have a team in need of explosive work in the midfield take a chance early.
Ownby has long been considered a potential top pick in the SuperDraft, but injuries have set back his draft stock in recent months. When healthy, he is one of the most skilled players in the nation on the offensive end of the ball, showcased this past summer when he put up 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists) in only four games for the United. During his career at Virginia, he found the back of the net on 21 occasions, passing out 10 helpers in 72 games.
Schoenle was also considered to be a potential first round pick until concerns about his size (listed at 147 pounds) knocked him down many charts. The third team All-American selection played in nine games for the United in 2010, scoring one goal, coming in a US Open Cup match against then USL-2’s Real Maryland Monarchs. A teammate of Philadelphia Union defender (and Reading United alum) Raymon Gaddis, the 6’2” Schoenle has scored six goals with five assists in 49 appearances for West Virginia, all starts.
Holt may be one of the most decorated goaltenders in NCAA history, but his short stature (5’ 8”) unfortunately has teams shying away. Quick off his line and unafraid to distribute with his feet, Holt was named NSCAA First Team All-American, Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award recipient, Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year, and MVC Goalkeeper of the Year. He set NCAA records with a 0.207 goals against average in 2011 and 44 career shutouts, while leading the nation with a 92.3 save percentage (6th in NCAA history) and 17 shutouts. This past summer with the United, Holt recorded six shutouts in 16 games, leading the league in wins (12) and finishing eighth in goals against average (0.875).
The United had three players drafted in the MLS SuperDraft last Thursday, including the #1 overall pick in Andrew Wenger. UNC defender Matt Hedges was selected #11 overall by FC Dallas, while the Philadelphia Union selected a Reading United alumnus for the second straight season in Raymon Gaddis. A team record four Reading United players were selected last season, a mark that could easily be broken during the Supplemental Draft.
Follow Us