Indiana University Athletics
Four Hoosiers Selected in MLS SuperDraft
1/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Jan. 20, 2006
PHILADELPHIA - Four former Indiana men's soccer players heard their named called at the 2006 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft on Jan. 20. Jed Zayner, Brian Plotkin, Jacob Peterson and Mike Ambersley became the 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th Hoosiers to be selected by the MLS. The four Hoosiers selected is the most since the inaugural MLS Draft in 1996 when six were taken in the 16 rounds. Zayner (13th overall), Plotkin (20th overall) and Peterson (21st overall) were all taken in the second round, while Ambersley (43rd overall) was a fourth-round choice. Indiana and Maryland were the only college programs to have four individuals taken in the 2006 SuperDraft.
"I am proud of each one of these guys," Indiana head men's soccer coach Mike Freitag said. "Brian, Mike, Jed and Jacob have all been such important parts of the IU program, and they will continue to be a significant part of the IU tradition. They were key in winning national titles over the last four years. It is going to be hard to replace them, but it is great to see them have the opportunities to further their soccer careers in the MLS."
Zayner was the first Hoosier taken in the draft. The Columbus Crew made him the first selection of the second round, and the third defender overall to be selected in the draft. He is the fourth Hoosier to be taken by the Crew in the MLS Draft, but the first since the inaugural season of 1996. Some former Hoosier greats that played for the Crew include current assistant coach Todd Yeagley, Mike Clark and former U.S. National Team player Brian Maisonneuve.
In his three seasons as a Hoosier, Zayner established himself as one of the top defenders in college soccer, as well as one of the best to ever don the cream and crimson. In his first two seasons, the Hoosiers won national titles and during his final campaign in 2005, he was a third team NSCAA/adidas All-America selection. During his Indiana career, the Hoosiers had a goals against average of 0.65 with 35 shutouts. This past season, he was one of only two backs to be named a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club (M.A.C.) Hermann Trophy (15 players).
Plotkin, who was one of three finalists for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, will move a little closer to home after being selected with the eighth pick in the second round by the Chicago Fire. The Lisle, Ill., native was the third Hoosier to be drafted by the Fire, joining Yuri Lavrinenko (32nd overall in 2000) and Ryan Mack (25th overall in 2003).
He was a first team NSCAA/adidas All-American as a senior, and was named the 2005 Big Ten Player of the Year. He topped the conference in points with 26. (eight goals and 10 assists). Plotkin finished his Hoosier career as one of the best ever to wear an Indiana jersey. He ranks among the IU all-time top 25 in three categories; tied for ninth in assists with 34, eighth in career shots with 262 and 23rd in career points with 76.
The Colorado Rapids selected Peterson one pick after Plotkin. The U.S. Youth National Team player spent three seasons with IU and will be remembered for his ability to score goals, especially when it mattered. He scored the game-winner in the 2003 NCAA title game and the first tally in the 2004 title game. He ranks 18th on the Hoosier career goals list with 30, and 25th on the points list with 69. He is the first IU player to be drafted by the Rapids since they took Joel Shanker in the 16th round of the inaugural 1996 draft.
Each of the last two seasons, Peterson was a first team All-Big Ten striker, while leading the conference in goals. In 2005, he also topped the league with Plotkin in points. He had 26 points and 12 goals as a junior on his way to third team NSCAA/adidas All-America accolades. He also joined Plotkin and Zayner as one of 15 semifinalists for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy.
Ambersley rounded out the Hoosier draftees, as he was selected 43rd overall by FC Dallas. He will join former IU standout Drew Moor, who was a first round pick of the club in 2005. The Ballwin, Mo., native was voted the team's team Most Valuable Player by his teammates at the conclusion of his senior year. He finished his final season at IU with 16 points on five goals and six assists.
During his career, Ambersley played in two NCAA College Cups and scored the deciding penalty kick in the Hoosiers' shootout victory over UC-Santa Barbara in the 2004 title game. The midfielder/forward started 82 of 87 matches in which he played at Indiana. He was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2001 and finished his career with 16 goals and 20 assists.
The quartet will join a list of seven former Hoosiers currently playing in the MLS. Last season, Danny O'Rourke (Houston), Moor (FC Dallas) and Jay Nolly (Real Salt Lake) were all taken in the first two rounds before playing their rookie seasons in the league. Chris Klein and Nick Garcia completed eighth and sixth seasons, respectively, with the Kansas City Wizards. Klein was the MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 after suffering a season-ending knee injury during the previous campaign. U.S. National Team player Pat Noonan finished another all-star season in three years with the New England Revolution. Ned Grabavoy became the fourth Hoosier, joining Klein, Garcia and former D.C. United member Dema Kovalenko, to win the MLS Cup as he completed his second season with the Los Angles Galaxy.
