Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Hoyas Kvello Taken in MLS Draft

Playing in the Umbro Select College All-Star Classic in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., this past weekend, senior Eric Kvello, Georgetown’s leading scorer last year for the men’s soccer team, got on a 10:30 a.m. flight to come back to the grind of Georgetown life. When he landed, he learned he had been drafted by the New York/New Jersey etrostars of Major League Soccer.

“I’m real excited, everyone is real excited,” said a humble Kvello, who took this, just as he did his tremendous Georgetown career, all in stride.

Kvello was taken seventh in the third round. He was the 31st pick overall in the College draft. Virginia sophomore Jason Moore was the No. 1 pick. Kvello will join Fordham’s John Wolyneic on the MetroStars, a team desperately seeking help in the forward position.

According to Kvello and Georgetown Head Coach Keith Tabatznik, NY/NJ, D.C. United and Kansas City Wizards showed the most interest in Kvello.

“There were a couple teams that I was hoping that would take Eric,” said Tabatznik, “for Eric’s development and position purposes.”

New York is the place where that development will take place, if Kvello makes the team, which was clearly his only goal when he spoke yesterday.

“I’m just thinking about making the MetroStars right now,” Kvello said.

Kvello said MetroStars general manager Charlie Stillitano and Head Coach Bora Milutinovic saw him in the Adidas Summer League and in a workout they had for him in early January, which included a meeting with Stillitano.

Now he will show his talents during the teams’ preseason workouts that begin in Mexico in two weeks.

“He has to be very assertive in his approach,” said Tabatznik. “There’s no luxury of having time to get comfortable. He’s playing against people who play for their livelihood. They want that contract just like he does.”

If he does make the team, Kvello gets the opportunity to play for one of the best coaches in league, if not the world, in Bora ilutinovic, something Tabatznik is really excited about. Besides being the coach of the MetroStars, Milutinovic coached the U.S. World Cup team in 1994, which was one of the American’s best showings at the event.

“We were extremely lucky to walk away from this draft with four players who we believe have the physical ability and technical skills to play in Major League Soccer,” MetroStars Vice President and General Manager Charlie Stillitano said of the selections in a press release.

“These are players Bora has identified as complementary to the players already on our roster, and I think each has a bright future ahead of them.”

“Bora’s a great teacher, especially at teaching young American players,” Tabatznik said.

So now Kvello takes his 44 career goals down to Mexico in hopes of elevating his game to the ultimate professional level.

 

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