Four Broncos selected in SuperDraft
By Ryan Donough
The Major League Soccer SuperDraft took place this past Friday, and for the first time since 1996, four Santa Clara players were drafted in the first four rounds.
Senior midfielder Peter Lowry was the highest player selected at 26th overall, going to the Chicago Fire in the second round. Three other Broncos were drafted, including senior defenders Matt Marquess (Kansas City Wizards, third round, 39th overall), Jamil Roberts (FC Dallas, fourth round, 45th overall) and Matt Hatzke (Los Angeles Galaxy, fourth round, 51st overall).
All four Broncos will be withdrawing from school and will be heading to their respective teams in the next three weeks.
Santa Clara also had more players drafted in the MLS SuperDraft than any other college in the nation.
"It's really amazing," Marquess said. "It really speaks a lot about the program and makes it easier for coaches to recruit in the future when you have so many players going to the MLS."
The SuperDraft represents the first four rounds of the MLS Draft. The final four rounds -- the Supplemental Draft -- take place on Thursday, Jan. 24. The Supplemental Draft is used to help fill out the developmental rosters for every MLS squad.
Marquess was hoping to be drafted in the Supplemental Draft and was planning to attend a tryout in New York next week in anticipation of not being drafted in the SuperDraft.
After watching the draft to see if his fellow teammates would be drafted, Marquess went to his OMIS class even though the draft was still taking place.
"I got a text message from Peter and his girlfriend saying congratulations," Marquess said. "At first I said, 'Okay guys, this isn't funny.' "
They weren't joking. Marquess was drafted and will now be traveling to Kansas City on Thursday before heading to Argentina for three weeks of preseason play.
Marquess was an outstanding defender for the Broncos, being named an All-WCC Selection in 2007 after registering five points on three assists and one goal.
Lowry was Santa Clara's most decorated player drafted, leading the Broncos with a career high in overall points with 23 on eight goals and seven assists while being named a First-Team All-American and WCC Player of the Year. According to ESPN, Lowry was arguably the best attacking midfielder in the draft and was already familiar with some of the coaches in Chicago. Lowry said he wasn't surprised when they drafted him.
"We had a workout scheduled with them a few months ago, but it didn't end up happening," Lowry said. "However, some of the coaches knew some of the coaches here at Santa Clara, and they saw me play at the combine."
Lowry will first travel to Chicago on Feb. 3 before heading to Florida on Feb. 6 for preseason play.
Roberts, another SuperDraft selection, scored 11 points on three goals and five assists while helping the Broncos to nine shutouts in 2007. He already had some experience with the draft since his brother, Troy Roberts, was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2005.
"My brother gave me a call and congratulated me," Roberts said.
Roberts will head to Dallas for a month of preseason training on Jan. 30.
Hatzke, who contributed seven points on two goals and three assists this past season, was contacted by L.A. Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas personally to congratulate him on the selection. Hatzke will look to join an all-star lineup in L.A.
"It's just amazing to have the opportunity to play with such great players," Hatzke said.
Hatzke will travel to Los Angeles on Jan. 31 for preseason camp, and will then head to tournaments in Hawaii, South Korea and finally China.
Although all four players were drafted in the SuperDraft, there is no guarantee that each player selected will actually make the 18-man senior roster that every MLS team carries.
Lowry may sign a contract before arriving in Chicago, but the remaining three Broncos will have to earn a spot on either the senior roster or the 10-man developmental roster.
Contact Ryan Donough at (408) 551-1918 or rdonough@scu.edu.