As Will Bruin learned Thursday, the Major League Soccer SuperDraft can be quite the experience.
Projected by experts to be chosen as high as third in the SuperDraft, Bruin sat anxiously in the Baltimore Convention Center as the first 10 players were selected, never hearing his own name called by MLS commissioner Don Garber.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking, just because you hear so much,” the forward said in a phone interview. “Nothing ever goes according to plans, I guess.”
After passing on Bruin with the seventh overall pick to select fellow Generation adidas player Kofi Sarkodie, the Houston Dynamo sent allocation money to the Portland Timbers in exchange for the 11th pick to select the St. Louis native.
“It’s definitely a relief to know where I’m going.” Bruin said. “I’m excited to play in Houston.”
Bruin follows in the footsteps of fellow DeSmet Jesuit High School (Mo.) and Indiana University players Chris Klein and Pat Noonan making the leap to MLS.
“It’s a tradition to carry. Both of those players were great players in MLS, and still are with Pat Noonan,” Bruin said. “I just hope I can amount to what they have done.”
The NSCAA First-Team All-American will now prepare to compete with fellow newcomer Jason Garey, acquired in a trade with the Columbus Crew, to partner at striker with Brian Ching.
Fellow Hoosier Rich Balchan was chosen by the Columbus Crew as the 12th overall pick. The Carmel, Ind. native could potentially compete to fill the starting right back position vacated by Frankie Hejduk’s contract not being renewed.
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