Asante Selected 27th Overall in MLS SuperDraft

MLS SuperDraft Coverage

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Former SU men’s soccer player Rich Asante (North York, Ontario) was chosen with the first pick of the third round (27^th overall) by the Toronto FC in the 2007 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft held at the Indianapolis Convention Center on Friday, Jan. 12. Asante is the Orange’s highest-ever MLS draft pick.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Asante said. “I can rest easy now and look forward to joining my new teammates.”

Asante, who is home in Canada, watched the first hour of the draft live on ESPN2. He also had several friends and former teammates monitoring the Internet for news of his selection.

“When my phone started ringing off the hook I new something must have happened,” Asante said. “And when I found out I went in the third round I started jumping and screaming for joy.”

Asante is the fourth player produced by Orange head coach Dean Foti to be picked in the MLS SuperDraft. Eric Puls and Paul Young were taken in the inaugural MLS Draft in 1996 with the 112^th and 121^st picks, respectively, and Chris Aloisi was taken by Los Angeles with the 57^th overall choice in 2004.

Asante joins Maurice Edu (Maryland) and Andrew Boyens (New Mexico) as players selected by the expansion Toronto FC. Edu was the top pick in the draft and Boyens was selected 10^th overall.

Asante played 63 career games for the Orange from 2003-06 and started his last 35 SU matches. He tallied 14 career points (five goals, four assists) from his central midfield spot and contributed two goals and an assist this past season. For his performance, he was named to the 2006 NSCAA All-Northeast Region Second Team and earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention honors.

He reports to Toronto on Feb. 10 for the start of training camp.

Syracuse University Athletics

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