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Jan. 12, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS – Three former members of the Virginia men’s soccer team were selected during the 2007 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, held Friday in Indianapolis. Defender Bakary Sourmare (New York, N.Y.) was selected by the Chicago Fire with the second overall pick, midfielder Nico Colaluca (Coventry, R.I.) was selected sixth overall by the Colorado Rapids, and forward Adam Cristman (Glen Allen, Va.) was selected by the New England Revolution in the fourth round (48th overall pick).
“With the news that has come from Major League Soccer in past few days, this is a great and exciting time to be a young professional soccer player in this country,” Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said. “These players have a great opportunity ahead of them and it is now up to them to make the most of it. I am not surprised that both Bakary and Nico went high, as both were expected to be among the top six or seven picks. They are in good situations where they can fill a need for their new clubs and make an impact.”
Soumare heads to Chicago after the Fire traded up with Columbus in order to select him. After playing just one season with the Cavaliers, he decided to forego his remaining years of eligibility to sign with MLS. Soumare redshirted in 2005 due to injury, but returned in 2006 and anchored the Virginia defense, starting 20 games on the season and playing 1,839 minutes. His selection as the No. 2 overall pick makes him the third highest Cavalier ever selected in the MLS Draft (Alecko Eskandarian was selected first overall by D.C. United in the 2003 SuperDraft, and Jason Moore was the first overall pick of the 1999 College Draft by D.C. United).
Colaluca gave up his final year of eligibility at Virginia when he signed with MLS. As a junior last year, he led the team with 10 assists and added seven goals for 24 points, which ranked third on the team. He was named first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and a second team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Cristman goes to New England after concluding a four-year career with the Cavaliers. In 2006, he was second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and five assists for 25 points. He ended his Virginia career with 34 goals and 15 assists for 73 points. In 2005, he was a second team All-ACC selection.