Polster, Volesky Selected on First Day of MLS Superdraft
SIUE men’s soccer standouts Matt Polster and Christian Volesky each were drafted Thursday during the first day of the Major League Soccer (MLS) Superdraft.
Polster was selected by the Chicago Fire with the seventh overall pick. Volesky was taken by the Portland Timbers with 11th pick in the second round (32nd overall).
Chosen as the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Polster was the first defender selected in the draft.
“We are excited for Matt on being selected as the No. 7 pick by the Chicago Fire,” SIUE Associate Head Coach David Korn said. “We couldn’t be more proud of what he has accomplished. Matt has worked hard during his four-year career at SIUE to earn this opportunity, and it has shown in his on and off-field success.”
The defender started every game for the Cougars in 2014, finishing third on the team with eight points on three goals and two assists. For his career, he started all 79 games for SIUE, which is fifth most in school history.
Volesky scored two goals during this past week’s MLS Combine and earned the Tom Fitzgerald MLS Combine Most Valuable Player award.
He was selected as the 2014 MVC Player of the Year. He led the league in scoring with 20 points, goals (8), shots (53), and was sixth with four assists. Volesky scored 23 goals in his Cougar career, which ranks 19th all-time despite playing just three seasons.
“We are extremely proud of Christian for being drafted in the second round by the Timbers,” Korn said. “Christian is an explosive player who has the opportunity to make a great impact with Portland. We are proud of him. His hard work has paved the way for him to have a great career in the MLS.”
The selections of Polster and Volesky bring the number of MLS draft picks of former SIUE players to five. Polster is the highest MLS pick. The duo follows goalkeeper John Berner, selected in the second round by Colorado at last year’s draft, and Mike Banner, also taken by Chicago in the 2007 third round. Mike Jones was drafted by Sporting Kansas City in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft.
“These selections further speak to the talented players and staff we have here at SIUE,” Korn said. “They are just the latest in a long line of pro soccer players to come from SIUE.”
Photo: Matt Polster (Left), Christian Volesky (right).
