Jan. 18, 2011
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Three University of South Carolina players were selected Tuesday in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft, highlighted by goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer’s selection by the New York Red Bulls as the fourth overall pick. Following Maurer’s selection by the Red Bulls were two other Gamecocks who were picked in forward/midfielder Blake Brettschneider (21st, DC United) and forward Sam Arthur (45th, Chicago Fire).
“I’m really pleased for Jimmy, Blake and Sam, and I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for them,” South Carolina head coach Mark Berson said. “The great thing here is that all three of them have been drafted by some of the top organizations in the MLS. The New York Red Bulls, DC United and Chicago Fire are three of the top franchises in the league, so I think they’re going into great organizations. We’re excited for their future and we’re very indebted to them for what they did for the University of South Carolina while they were here.”
Maurer was the first goalkeeper taken when the MLS Eastern Conference champion Red Bulls selected him fourth overall after completing a highly successful four-year career at South Carolina. The 2007 Conference USA Freshman of the Year and four-time all-conference honoree, Maurer led Conference USA with nine shutouts in 2010, playing a career-high 2,028 minutes in net. His nine shutouts matched a career high, while he concluded his career in the Garnet and Black with 28 shutouts, second all-time in South Carolina history. Maurer owns a 1.05 career goals against average, having collected 318 saves in 7,284 minutes played at Carolina.
Brettschneider was selected 21st overall by DC United and was the club’s only selection in the draft after the team traded its first round selection and passed on its third round selection. Brettschneider led South Carolina in goals (7), assists (10) and points (24) during his senior season, while he scored three game-winning goals on the year, including one over archrival Clemson. The Conference USA Co-MVP and Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Brettschneider tallied at least one point in each C-USA regular-season match he played, while his 10 assists were also a C-USA best, as he was the only player in the league to collect double-figure assists. He concluded his South Carolina career with 19 goals, including eight game winners, and 17 assists.
Arthur was selected 45th overall by the Chicago Fire with their third round pick. In his career, Arthur netted 26 goals and nine assists in 57 career games. In his two full seasons that were not shortened by injury, Arthur put up career numbers for the Gamecocks that included leading Conference USA in points (27), goals (12) and game-winning goals his sophomore year in addition to leading the team in points (18), goals (8) and game-winning goals in his junior season.
South Carolina has had nine players drafted by the MLS – including Tuesday’s picks – and five have gone in the Supplemental Draft. Henry Ring (2001, MLS SuperDraft, 33rd), Tim Glowienka (2003, MLS SuperDraft, 30th), Brad Guzan (2005, MLS SuperDraft, 2nd) and Mike Sambursky (2007, MLS SuperDraft, 39th) were each selected in the MLS SuperDraft, and Rob Smith (1996, MLS Supplemental Draft, 20th) and Billy Baumhoff (1997, MLS Supplemental Draft, 11th) were selected in the MLS Supplemental Draft.
