Indiana University Athletics
Trio Selected in MLS SuperDraft (1-14-05)
1/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
"I think it just shows the quality of our program at Indiana, the talent level of the players and great individuals that we bring in to be a part of our program," Indiana head coach Mike Freitag said. "It is satisfying having recruited these guys. We knew coming in that they had the potential develop over time. It really warms my heart. I am very proud of these guys, and we will miss them."
The 2005 SuperDraft marked the third year it was held in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Convention. The SuperDraft also kicked off the 10th year of the MLS.
O'Rourke, who captained Indiana to NCAA Championships in each of the last two seasons, was drafted fourth overall by San Jose. The four-year Hoosier starter was recognized earlier this month as the top player in college soccer, being named the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy winner. O'Rourke was a three-time first team All-Big Ten selection and a NSCAA/adidas first team All-America honoree this season.
"Everyone has seen what Danny can do," Freitag said. "He won the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy. He is a winner and very gifted athletically."
The Earthquakes showed the Columbus, Ohio, native as a priority, trading up two selections to draft him. San Jose traded midfielders Richard Mulrooney and Arturo Alvarez along with the sixth and 29th overall picks to FC Dallas in exchange for midfielder Brad Davis, an allocation and the fourth overall pick.
"I was surprised that San Jose traded up for me," O'Rourke said. "I am excited to go to San Jose, a place that has had success in the past. I am excited to go out and prove what I can do. Anytime I am on a team, I want to win. The coaches at Indiana instill that in their players. They instill that winning attitude, and I try to take that into every team I am on."
FC Dallas then turned around and drafted O'Rourke's former Hoosier teammate Drew Moor. Moor, a Dallas native, started each of the last two seasons for the Hoosiers. He was a first team All-Big Ten selection both years and a NSCAA/adidas first team All-America choice in 2004. He was also one of 15 semifinalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy. Moor left Indiana a year early and was a member of the Generation adidas developmental group.
"This is really incredible," Moor said. "Dallas is a team that I grew up watching, and for them to want to draft me is unbelievable. It is right in my back yard. They have a new look and a new stadium, so that makes it even more exciting. I want to go in there and earn the respect of the older players. I want to help Dallas win, and I have high expectations for myself."
"Drew is a very smart and talented defender," Freitag said. "He gets to go back home to Dallas, and I think he is excited about that. The best part about Drew is his consistency. You know what to expect from Drew when he takes the field."
Expansion Real Salt Lake selected Indiana goalkeeper Jay Nolly in the second round with the 22nd overall pick. The three-year Hoosier starter was the second goalkeeper taken in the draft following Brad Guzan of South Carolina, who was taken second by CD Chivas USA. It was the third pick for the expansion team, who traded up with the L.A. Galaxy to acquire the pick. Real Salt Lake sent one of its expansion allocations for the 22nd pick overall.
"I couldn't be any happier," Nolly said. "They are giving me an opportunity to fight for a starting spot, and it is the best place for me because I do get the chance to battle for a position. I got a call from Real Salt Lake saying they were going to draft me later. Right before the pick, they called me again and told me they traded up to select me. A lot of things come together to be able to see your name read in the MLS Draft."
Nolly finished his career with a goals against average of 0.66 and 30 shutouts. He was a three-time first team All-Big Ten selection and capped off his senior year by earning NSCAA/adidas third team All-America honors. Despite all the accomplishments, Nolly greatest moment as a Hoosier came when he saved the final penalty kick against UC-Santa Barbara in the 2004 NCAA Championship match.
"Jay continues to get better and better," Freitag said. "Right now, his confidence level is very high. His size is definitely an advantage, and Real Salt Lake saw good upside in him."
The trio of Hoosier draftees anchored a defense that ranked among the national leaders in goals against average and shutout percentage each of the last two seasons. In 2004, the Indiana defense ranked seventh in goals against average at 0.63 and 15th in shutout percentage, blanking 11 teams in 24 matches.
O'Rourke and Moor are the sixth and seventh Hoosier first round selections in the MLS SuperDraft. The 2005 SuperDraft marked the second time in school history that two Hoosiers went in the first round and the second time three Hoosiers were drafted. With Nolly's selection in the second round by Real Salt Lake, it is the highest any three Hoosier teammates have been drafted.
In 1998, midfielder Chris Klein was taken fourth overall by the Kansas City Wizards. A year later, midfielder Lazo Alavanja was taken fourth overall by the Dallas Burn(FC Dallas). In 2000, a pair of Hoosiers were taken in the first round when Nick Garcia was selected second by Kansas City and Aleksey Korol was taken fifth by the Dallas Burn (FC Dallas). The last first round pick prior to this season was Pat Noon in 2003. He was taken ninth overall by the New England Revolution. Last season, Ned Grabavoy was taken in the second round, 14th overall by the L.A. Galaxy.
Real Salt Lake opened the draft by selecting U.S. Under-17 national team player, midfielder Nikolas Besagna of Maple Valley, Wash. CD Chivas USA selected goalkeeper Brad Guzan of South Carolina with the second overall selection. UCLA forward Chad Barrett went third overall to the Chicago Fire. For complete MLS SuperDraft results, visit mlsnet.com.
Players Mentioned
