Post by LafayetteDad on Jan 20, 2006 11:24:55 GMT -6
Garey preps for MLS SuperDraft
By SCOTT RABALAIS
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Jan 20, 2006
When he was a boy, Jason Garey was drawn to soccer in large part because he couldn’t hit the curveball.
He can curve the ball into a net in soccer, and in that sport he’s about to hit it big.
Garey, a native of Gonzales who just completed a stellar soccer career at the University of Maryland, will be in Philadelphia today to hear his name called in the 2006 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
Chances are good he won’t have to wait long.
One mock draft on MLSnet.com has the 6-foot, 185-pound Garey going with the third pick to the Columbus Crew, which picks after Chivas USA (Los Angeles) and Real Salt Lake City. Another mock draft on the Web site has him going seventh overall to D.C. United.
“A couple of guys get to sign with the league before the draft,’’ Garey said Thursday in a phone interview. “I’ve already got a contract so it doesn’t matter where I go.
“The earliest I could probably go is to Columbus at No. 3, but I’m looking forward to it no matter where it is. Columbus, D.C., New England, wherever.’’
Though Garey hails from a relative “soccer wasteland,’’ as his hometown was described in a recent MLSnet.com feature, Garey made a name for himself on the collegiate soccer level and might soon have more college coaches scouring the Deep South for talent.
His father, Rick, became a youth soccer coach when Jason was young. The family built a soccer field in their backyard where Jason and his sister Melissa honed their skills.
Jason became a three-time all-Louisiana player and the state MVP his senior season at St. Amant High School. Melissa earned a spot on the U.S. under-17 national team and just completed her sophomore season at Texas A&M.
Jason scored 60 goals in his career at Maryland, including an NCAA-leading 22 his senior season. Garey, 21, helped the Terrapins to the NCAA soccer final four all four seasons at Maryland. Garey capped his career with a 1-0 victory over New Mexico in December to lift the Terrapins to their first NCAA championship since 1968.
Garey, 21, was then honored with the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, the men’s soccer equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
He went to Carson, Calif., earlier this week for a predraft combine but was unable to play because of a hip flexor injury, passing his time with physicals instead.
Once drafted, Garey will have to recuperate quickly as preseason games begin in February.
The regular season begins in April.
Garey said he recently spoke to Columbus coach Sigi Schmid about the prospect of playing for the Crew.
“He said if they pick me they may play a preseason game in Lafayette,’’ Garey said. “I said, ‘Well, I’ll help you fill the stadium.’’’
www.2theadvocate.com/sports/2228987.html
By SCOTT RABALAIS
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Jan 20, 2006
When he was a boy, Jason Garey was drawn to soccer in large part because he couldn’t hit the curveball.
He can curve the ball into a net in soccer, and in that sport he’s about to hit it big.
Garey, a native of Gonzales who just completed a stellar soccer career at the University of Maryland, will be in Philadelphia today to hear his name called in the 2006 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
Chances are good he won’t have to wait long.
One mock draft on MLSnet.com has the 6-foot, 185-pound Garey going with the third pick to the Columbus Crew, which picks after Chivas USA (Los Angeles) and Real Salt Lake City. Another mock draft on the Web site has him going seventh overall to D.C. United.
“A couple of guys get to sign with the league before the draft,’’ Garey said Thursday in a phone interview. “I’ve already got a contract so it doesn’t matter where I go.
“The earliest I could probably go is to Columbus at No. 3, but I’m looking forward to it no matter where it is. Columbus, D.C., New England, wherever.’’
Though Garey hails from a relative “soccer wasteland,’’ as his hometown was described in a recent MLSnet.com feature, Garey made a name for himself on the collegiate soccer level and might soon have more college coaches scouring the Deep South for talent.
His father, Rick, became a youth soccer coach when Jason was young. The family built a soccer field in their backyard where Jason and his sister Melissa honed their skills.
Jason became a three-time all-Louisiana player and the state MVP his senior season at St. Amant High School. Melissa earned a spot on the U.S. under-17 national team and just completed her sophomore season at Texas A&M.
Jason scored 60 goals in his career at Maryland, including an NCAA-leading 22 his senior season. Garey, 21, helped the Terrapins to the NCAA soccer final four all four seasons at Maryland. Garey capped his career with a 1-0 victory over New Mexico in December to lift the Terrapins to their first NCAA championship since 1968.
Garey, 21, was then honored with the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, the men’s soccer equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
He went to Carson, Calif., earlier this week for a predraft combine but was unable to play because of a hip flexor injury, passing his time with physicals instead.
Once drafted, Garey will have to recuperate quickly as preseason games begin in February.
The regular season begins in April.
Garey said he recently spoke to Columbus coach Sigi Schmid about the prospect of playing for the Crew.
“He said if they pick me they may play a preseason game in Lafayette,’’ Garey said. “I said, ‘Well, I’ll help you fill the stadium.’’’
www.2theadvocate.com/sports/2228987.html