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Seattle Sounders choose Zips forward in first round of 2009 MLS SuperDraft
By Michael Beaven
Special to the Beacon Journal
Published on Friday, Jan 16, 2009
To say that Steve Zakuani was completely focused on Don Garber at 2:05 p.m. Thursday might be an understatement.
Zakuani listened closely to what Garber, Major League Soccer's commissioner, had to say to a crowd gathered at the St. Louis Convention Center and a national television audience viewing live on ESPN2.
''With the first pick in the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Seattle Sounders FC select, from the University of Akron, forward and member of Generation adidas, Steve Zakuani,'' Garber said.
Zakuani smiled and walked to shake Garber's hand. The former UA star forward, dressed in a suit and tie, had a Seattle Sounders scarf draped around his neck and confidently shook hands with Garber and posed for photos.
Zakuani had just become UA's highest drafted athlete in any sport after finishing his sophomore season.
''Up until the last second I had no idea,'' Zakuani told ESPN2 soccer analyst Allen Hopkins. ''It's a great honor and I'm so excited. I'm ready. I am going to train hard to play at the next level and hopefully contribute right away.''
Zakuani led the nation in scoring in 2008 with 20 goals and seven assists in 23 games. He was runner-up for soccer's most prestigious individual award, the Hermann Trophy, after winning national player of the year honors from Soccer America and Top Drawer Soccer. Zakuani also was named 2008 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and finished his Zips career with 26 goals and nine assists in 44 games.
''It was a big relief because of the tension in the air,'' Zakuani said in a prepared statement. ''I was sitting with all the other players who were invited to the draft and no one knew where they were going to end up. But once I heard [Garber] say, ' . . . from the University of Akron,' it was a tremendous relief and an incredible feeling.''
Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said Zakuani's speed and skills with the ball were too much to pass up after they considered offers to trade the pick.
''It's harder to impact things offensively than it is to destroy things defensively as a rookie,'' said Schmid, who coached the
Columbus Crew to the 2008 MLS Cup.
''But to find a player who's got that ability to be special, you've got to jump at that. I've seen him take his team on his back, and we expect him to be able to do that in the pros.''
Zakuani, 20, is the third player in UA history to be taken in the MLS draft, joining Sinisa Ubiparipovic (New York Red Bulls, 2007 third round) and Cameron Knowles (Real Salt Lake, 2005 fourth round).
''I had a great experience at Akron, and I am leaving a lot of great teammates, coaches and friends,'' Zakuani said. ''When I came to Akron, the coaches told me that they would prepare me to play at the next level, and they were right. They allowed for my dream to come true. I'm excited for the future of Akron soccer because I know that there will be many more great players to come through there for years to come.''
ESPN soccer analysts John Harkes and Alexi Lalas each praised the selection.
''This is not a surprise,'' Lalas said. ''I talked to [Zakuani on Wednesday] and I asked him 'Who do you think will pick you?' He said, 'Seattle.' Then, I asked him, 'Who do you want to pick you?' He said, 'Seattle.'
''He is incredibly quick.''
Zakuani is 6-foot, weighs 160 pounds and was born in the Republic of Congo. He moved to London at age 4 and was raised there. He was a member of the Arsenal Youth Team in England and will be 21 on Feb. 9.
''This is a dream come true for Steve,'' UA coach Caleb Porter said in a statement. ''He has been waiting for this moment for his entire life and I couldn't be happier for him. It has been an incredible journey for him to reach this point — through trials and tribulations, injuries and disappointments. For him to go from the Congo to London to Akron and now the No. 1 pick in the draft, it's truly an amazing story and that is what makes this even more special.''
Bush not drafted
Zips senior goalkeeper Evan Bush was not among the 60 draft selections Thursday.
Bush was invited to the MLS SuperDraft Combine and played on the same team with Zakuani that also was coached by Porter.
''Going into the day, for some reason, I didn't feel too confident about getting picked up,'' Bush said. ''As the day went on there was disappointment there, but, at the same time, getting drafted in the third and fourth round is similar to coming to camp as an undrafted rookie.''
Bush is hopeful to get invited to a preseason camp with MLS or the United Soccer League.
''I won't be signing anywhere until February,'' Bush said. ''We will be looking at what teams I can get into a preseason camp with. I am looking for an opportunity to get into a camp somewhere and to make an impression.''
While Bush was irritated by not being selected, he was excited for his Zips teammate.
''I didn't get a chance to talk to Steve because he doesn't have a cell phone, so I texted Caleb and told him to congratulate Steve-O for me. It is an amazing achievement for Steve and the Akron program. It couldn't have happened to a better guy. I was really happy for him.''
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
To say that Steve Zakuani was completely focused on Don Garber at 2:05 p.m. Thursday might be an understatement.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 10:18 AM, 01/16/2009
Congratulations, Steve.
May your pro career go well in Seattle, and perhaps serve as your springboard to future fortunes in Europe and elsewhere.
