Major League Soccer’s 2010 SuperDraft took place Thursday, and for the 15th consecutive year at least one Creighton Bluejay saw his name on the draft board. In fact, two Bluejays will continue their careers on the next level. Creighton standouts Seth Sinovic (2nd round, 25th overall to New England) and Chris Schuler (3rd round, 39th overall to Real Salt Lake) were drafted Thursday, continuing Creighton’s streak of sending at least one Bluejay to a MLS team via the SuperDraft in every draft since the league’s inception in 1996.
“This has been a life long goal of mine, and I am just ecstatic that I will now have the chance to compete professionally,” Schuler said with an obvious tone of excitement in his voice.
Schuler will take his game to the MLS
Sinovic had a similar response, as he was tracking the draft online and chatting with a friend via Skype when he saw his name for the first time. “I was just so excited. I really had no idea where I would end up, and when I saw my name, I was just pumped up.”
Sinovic moves to the MLS after a great career at Creighton
As a bit of an ironic note, two of Creighton’s best players in recent history, rarely anxious on the pitch, were both a bit nervous on Thursday, as they chose to be alone for the big day. Schuler allowed his parents to fill him in when the time came. “I just wanted to be away from the whole thing. I usually don’t get nervous, but this is my life’s work, and I was pretty nervous. I let my mom and family follow it and they called me when I was picked. I was pretty exciting.”
Sinovic had a similar plan, “I was by myself and tracked it on my computer. I was skyping a buddy of mine and refreshing the screen every now and then. It was too stressful to be with a lot of friends and family.”
When ask what they would take from their experience at Creighton with them to the next level, both talked about traits not exclusive to playing soccer.
“Well, I have had the opportunity of being at a big school like Indiana, and a smaller, closer nit school in Creighton,” Schuler said. “When you are in an environment like Creighton, you feel a bit more of a responsibility to represent that community, and now that I will be a part of a club like Real Salt Lake, I will be responsible for representing them as well.” As for on the field, Schuler believes his need to focus for the entire 90 minutes and never take a play off will benefit him the most. “You need to be on your game the whole time. It is only 90 minutes. The second you take a play off, it can teach you a pretty tough lesson.”
Sinovic noted the work ethic and mentality he honed as a Bluejay. “Creighton has a reputation for bringing the best out of you. I started as a recruited walk-on and had to work my way up over the years. You get a real Midwest work ethic at Creighton, and I think that will be something I carry with me to the next level.”
Both players will be reporting to their respective teams in February, and both wanted to end the interview with a quick thank you to Creighton and all of the fans that supported them throughout the years. As a fan myself, I have no doubt these two young men will have long and great careers. We could not ask for better men to represent our school. Good luck to you both.