Santa Clara Among Top Programs Developing MLS Talent

Santa Clara Among Top Programs Developing MLS Talent

By, Maxine Goynes '11

SANTA CLARA, Calif. –
Santa Clara University's men's soccer team is among the top NCAA programs producing Major League Soccer talent, according to MLSsoccer.com.  The Broncos have over 50 alumni who have gone on to play professionally following their collegiate careers.

"With the MLS continuing to be an option to play after college, we must consider more than just what we do here," said Santa Clara Head Coach Cameron Rast. "This is important for us and to our players. More than anything (the article) reflects how hard our guys work and how prepared they are after leaving SCU."

According to the release, Santa Clara is tied for second all-time among schools on the West Coast, producing 17 players who have been drafted by MLS clubs. Since 2006, the Broncos have been among the top eight programs in the NCAA developing professional players overall.

Recent Broncos drafted by MLS clubs:

2006 Hector Guzman, drafted 20th overall (MLS Super Draft) Houston Dynamo
2006 Mehdi Ballouchy, drafted 2nd overall (MLS Super Draft) Real Salt Lake
2007 Erik Ustruck, drafted 3rd round ( MLS Supplemental Draft) Dynamo
2007 Amaechi Igwe, drafted 12th overall (MLS Super Draft) New England Revolution
2008 Peter Lowery (MLS Player Combine) Chicago Fire
2008 Matt Hatzke (MLS Player Combine) San Jose Earthquakes
2008 Jamil Roberts (MLS Player Combine) San Jose Earthquakes
2008 Matt Marquess (MLS Player Combine) Kansas City Wizards
2009 Babajide Ogunbiyi, drafted 19th overall (MLS Super Draft) New York Red Bulls
2010 Jalil Anibaba (2007-2009 at SCU), drafted 9th overall (MLS Super Draft) Chicago Fire
2011 Stephen McCarthy (2006-2009 at SCU), drafted 24th overall (MLS Super Draft) New England Revolution

Top MLS talent-producing colleges of all-time:

School (MLS Players)

UCLA (54)
Virginia (41)
Maryland (34)
Indiana (27)
Clemson (23)
N. Carolina (23)
Wake Forest (20)
Santa Clara (17)
UConn (17)
Washington (17)
St. Louis (17)

Top MLS talent-producing colleges since 2006:
School (
MLS Players)
UCLA (31)
Maryland (20)
Wake Forest (16)
Indiana (15)
UNC (15)
Virginia (12)
UConn (12)
Santa Clara (11)
UCSB (11)
Washington (10)