The University of Akron Athletics
Akron's Zakuani Will Enter 2009 MLS Super Draft
January 07 | Men's Soccer
University of Akron sophomore Steve
Zakuani, one of three finalists for the prestigious Hermann
Trophy award, has signed a contract with Generation adidas and will
forgo his final two years of eligibility to enter the 2009 Major
League Soccer Super Draft.
Zakuani, an All-American striker, led the nation in scoring this
past season with 20 goals and 47 points in 23 games and is being
projected as the No. 1 overall pick of the draft by a number of
publications, including MLSDraft.net and
SoccerByIves.net. He will be the first UA underclassman to
leave school early to pursue a professional career in any
sport.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Akron and I'm glad to be leaving
with so many special memories," Zakuani said. "I was made to feel
welcome from day one by my coaches, teammates, the athletics staff
and especially the fans. They all made my time here a very special
one and contributed to making me the player and person I am
today.
"Those are the reasons that made the decision to leave a truly
difficult one. However, my dream has always been to play
professional soccer and so when this great opportunity came
knocking on my door, it was almost impossible for me to turn it
down. I feel that the time is right for me to make the natural
progression to the next level and I am excited about my
future."
Zakuani will be just the third Akron men's soccer player ever taken
in the MLS Super Draft following Sinisa Ubiparipovic in 2007 (New
York Red Bulls, third round) and Cameron Knowles in 2005 (Real Salt
Lake, fourth round).
"I also specifically want to thank the AK Rowdies for the support
they have given me during my time at Akron," Zakuani added. "I
always looked forward to playing at Lee Jackson Field because
having them with us felt like having an extra player on the
field."
Zakuani, the Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year and
College Soccer News Freshman All-American in 2007,
blossomed into one of the nation's most dangerous players in 2008
while leading the Zips (17-2-4) to the program's highest seed ever
(No. 5) and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The native of London, England has already earned national player of
the year awards from Soccer America and Top Drawer Soccer and was
named MAC Player of the Year for his accomplishments in 2008.
Were he to win, Zakuani, who was the only underclassman named to
the 48-player watch list this season, would be just the third
sophomore ever to do so. He is the first Akron player to be named a
finalist for the Hermann Trophy.
"This is an exciting day for Steve and the entire Akron soccer
family," said UA head coach Caleb
Porter, who recently signed a new five-year contract to remain
at Akron. "Although his presence will be greatly missed, this was
an opportunity for him to fulfill a lifelong dream and he has our
blessing to make the jump to Major League Soccer.
"Steve will be remembered as one of the greatest to wear an Akron
uniform and we appreciate his contributions and commitment to the
program. Steve has a bright future ahead of him and I look forward
to watching his game continue to blossom as he takes the next step
in his soccer career."
Zakuani recorded at least one goal in five straight games from
Sept. 19 to Oct. 8 and also notched the first two hat tricks of his
young career in 2008. Moreover, he was at his best with the game on
the line, netting seven game-winning goals this fall. None were as
big however as the decisive score in double overtime to lift the
Zips past Northern Illinois in the MAC Tournament championship game
on Nov. 16.
Zakuani was named MAC Player of the Week six times this season to
set a league record.
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer
and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent
in the United States. The program, which was called Project-40
until 2005, encourages early entry (without college graduation) of
American players into the MLS.
Generation adidas players do not count against the MLS senior
roster. Entering the program automatically classifies a player as a
professional and thus, disqualifies them from playing college
soccer. As a result, Generation adidas players are also guaranteed
scholarships to continue their college education should their
professional career not pan out.
Last year's class of nine Generation adidas players produced six of
the first eight overall selections in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft,
including the top three selections - Chance Myers (Kansas City
Wizards, No. 1 overall), Brek Shea (FC Dallas, No. 2), and Anthony
Beltran (Real Salt Lake, No. 3).
The 2009 MLS SuperDraft takes place at the St. Louis Convention
Center - America's Center (America's Ballroom) on Thursday, Jan. 15
at 2 p.m. ET. The first hour will be broadcast live on ESPN2; the
remainder of the draft can be followed on MLSnet.com.
Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy own the second and third
picks in the first round, respectively. The draft has four rounds
and 60 total selections.
