From playing at 6,500-seat capacity Robert R. Hermann Stadium to 78,000-seat Giants Stadium. From scholarship housing at Marchetti Towers to a bit more expensive New Jersey apartment. From a 20-year-old sophomore in college to a professional athlete.
For Brad Davis, Sunday marked change.
The New York/New Jersey MetroStars made the former Saint Louis University standout the third overall selection in this weekend’s Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft.
Before giving up his final two years of eligibility last month, Davis was named a second-team All-American last season after scoring 10 goals and dishing out a team-high 14 assists for the Billikens. In addition to his collegiate accomplishments, Davis tallied 13 goals to lead the U.S. Under-20 National Team in scoring over the past two seasons. He is currently training with the U.S. Under-23 team in Italy.
“He’s touted by many as one of the best all-around players in the U.S.,” said MetroStars coach Octavio Zambrano to the Newark Star-Ledger. “Whether he will fulfill expectations, only time will tell, but I can’t wait to get him into camp.”
The SuperDraft began when the Dallas Burn selected Chris Gbandi, a three-time All-American at the University of Connecticut, for the first pick. The New England Revolution followed by nabbing St. Louis native Taylor Twellman, who has played professionally the last two years for 1860 Munich in Germany. Then, Davis got the nod.
The selection surprised few. The reason: Davis is young, talented and cheap. And a Project-40 player.
Created in 1997, Project-40 is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer. Its goal is to provide a few of America’s elite, young soccer players with the chance to play and train in a professional environment.
Under Project-40, Davis will not take up an official roster spot and not affect the salary cap for two years.
Essentially, he will be able to get acclimated into professional life while not being a financial burden on the MetroStars.
“There’s nobody better than Brad in Project-40,” said SLU assistant coach Mike Sorber. “He’s probably the top left-footed player in the country. With his vision and skill, he should be able to come in and start right away.”
The MetroStars must also see Davis playing an important role in the future. Last month, the Stars traded starting midfielder and MLS veteran Mark Chung to the Colorado Rapids for longtime U.S. National Team defender Marcelo Balboa. Last week, the Stars traded midfielder Richie Williams back to the D.C. United for another defender.
MLS will give Davis the experience needed to make the 2004 Olympic and the 2006 World Cup teams. MLS’ season runs nine months, compared to only three in the college game.
Also, Sorber noted that Davis will be able to work on his two glaring weaknesses-his work rate and defensive responsibilities-against a higher level of competition.
Davis wasn’t the only Billiken drafted by MLS. Senior Dipsy Selolwane, who capped a storybook season by being named first-team All-American, was selected by the Chicago Fire in the third round.
He may never put on a Fire uniform, however. Selolwane just completed a two-week tryout in Denmark. He was then awarded a three-month contract.
