The University of Akron Athletics
Ubiparipovic Taken In Third Round of MLS SuperDraft
January 12 | Men's Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS - University of Akron midfielder
Sinisa Ubiparipovic
(Mentor, Ohio/Mentor HS) was selected with the 33rd overall pick by
the New York Red Bulls in the third round of Major League Soccer's
SuperDraft, held today at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
The draft, which is being held in conjunction with the National
Soccer Coaches Association of America's annual convention, features
four rounds with 13 selections in each round. Ubiparipovic was the
second overall pick by the Red Bull, joining Clemson standout Dane
Richards who was taken with the 19th overall pick.
"I am very excited to play for New York and Coach [Bruce] Arena,"
Ubiparipovic said. "I spoke with the coaches a bit at the MLS
Combine and they liked the way I played. I am happy to be heading
there and hope I can have an impact with the team this season."
Ubiparipovic spent three seasons in an Akron uniform, earning
All-America honors in 2005 and 2006. The 2006 Mid-American
Conference Player of the Year, he tallied 34 goals in his three
years, including a career-high 17 in 2005 as Akron advanced to the
quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. A two-time first-team All-MAC
selection, he played in 81 career games with the Zips, making 69
starts.
"This is a dream come true for Sinisa," said Akron head coach
Caleb Porter. "We are very
proud and so excited for him. This is an honor for our program and
a great opportunity for him to make a living playing soccer for a
high-caliber coach."
Ubiparipovic recorded seven goals and seven assists on the season
for a team-high 21 points this past season. He produced three
game-winning scores for Akron, including the deciding goal in a 2-1
win over Buffalo that gave the Zips a share of the MAC regular
season title.
In 2006 the Red Bulls finished fourth in the Eastern Conference,
advancing to the MLS playoffs with a 9-11-12 record. Former U.S.
Men's National Team coach Bruce Arena, who led the Americans in the
2006 World Cup this past summer, took over coaching duties in New
York in July.
"Sinisa is a good passer and possession player," Arena said
during a Red Bulls teleconference on Friday afternoon. "He is most
comfortable in the midfield and fits a need we have on this
team."
Ubiparipovic becomes the second player in school history to be
taken in the MLS draft, joining Cameron Knowles (2001-04) who was
selected by Real Salt Lake in the fourth round of the 2005 MLS
Supplemental Draft.
