Men’s Soccer: Espinoza and Brunner Selected Early in MLS SuperDraft – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Roger Espinoza in first round and Eric Brunner in second round become highest drafted Buckeyes in program history
COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio State junior Roger Espinoza was the 11th overall pick in the first round by Kansas City and senior Eric Brunner went in the second round to New York as the 16th overall selection in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft Friday in Baltimore, Md. They are the ninth Buckeyes drafted in program history, all this decade, and are also the highest draft picks, topping the pair of third-round picks from Ohio State in 2005 (Kyle Veris, Ray Burse Jr.).
Last season Espinoza and Brunner helped lead Ohio State to a Big Ten title and the national championship game as the Buckeyes tallied the program’s most wins in a season, ending with a 17-4-5 ledger. Espinoza, who signed with Generation adidas last week, guaranteeing him an MLS contract for three years, scored the Buckeyes’ goal in the title game against Wake Forest, while Brunner and classmate Xavier Balc became the first Buckeyes to be named first-team All-Americans.
Balc, who is Ohio State’s all-time assists leader, and senior goalkeeper Casey Latchem could be drafted next Thursday in the MLS Supplemental draft.
“We’re delighted Roger and Eric were selected so high in the draft this year, giving Ohio State our highest two picks ever,” John Bluem, Ohio State head coach, said. “We knew Roger was a special player. We felt at the College Cup this year he was the best player on the field and then there was a lot of interest with him signing with Generation adidas. We are very happy for both of them and we wish them the best of luck. Xavier is a wonderful player and had a great impact on our program. We are confident he will be selected in the supplemental draft next week and have his chance. Our last All-American, Justin Cook (2004), was also selected in the supplemental draft so we have seen this before.”
Espinoza played two seasons of junior college soccer at Yavapai College in Phoenix before transferring to Ohio State. He was named first-team All-Big Ten and second-team all-region before earning a spot the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team with two spectacular performances in Cary, N.C. On the season, Espinoza contributed three assists and totaled three goals, including the first goal in the national championship game against Wake Forest to put the Buckeyes ahead, 1-0.
Brunner, a graduate of Dublin Scioto High School, was a key defender in the Buckeye defense that notched a school-record 15 shutouts this season. He scored six goals during the season, three of which were game-winners, and he scored 10 goals and notched three assists as a Buckeye after playing his freshman season at Maryland. Brunner and the Terrapins advanced to the College Cup that season.
This year, a school-record three seniors Balc, Brunner and Latchem were selected for the 2008 adidas MLS Combine. That trio, who were named OSU tri-captains in August, helped the seven-member senior class become the all-time winningest class in Ohio State men’s soccer history.
### OhioStateBuckeyes.com ###
Contact: Tim Stried, stried.3@osu.edu
