Fantastic Four Jamaicans but only three got picked.
Damion Lowe ... selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2014 Major League Soccer SuperDraft yesterday. - AP photos
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Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
A trio of Jamaicans emerged among the top 10 players selected in yesterday's Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft, with André Blake becoming the first goalkeeper in the history of North America's premier professional competition taken with the highest pick.
In what was the best MLS draft showing by Jamaicans, Blake, 23, an All-American in three seasons at the University of Connecticut, was chosen by Philadelphia Union during a ceremony held in the United States city where the club is based.
He was followed in the first round of the draft by local-based 19-year-old midfielder André Lewis (picked seventh by Vancouver Whitecaps) and 20-year-old defender Damion Lowe, from University of Hartford (eighth by Seattle Sounders).
Romena Bowie, a fourth Jamaican in the draft, was overlooked in yesterday's first two rounds, but is eligible for rounds three and four on January 21.
Blake, who was outstanding at the recent MLS Player Combine and viewed among the most "pro ready" players in Florida, expressed shock at being the top choice.
"It was a big surprise to me," he told ESPN television. " ... I really didn't see number one coming."
Despite the lofty expectations, Blake doesn't believe he will be under added pressure to perform for a team which failed to make the 2013 MLS play-offs.
"It's nothing I can't handle," he said.
Philadelphia Union, original holder of the second pick, obtained the right to pick first after a draft-day trade with DC United. The club didn't hesitate to bank on Blake.
"We felt that he was the type of player and person we couldn't pass up," Philadelphia coach John Hackworth told ESPN.
Lowe was especially happy to become a professional footballer like his father, Onandi, a former Jamaica World Cup star who once played in MLS.
"I always wanted to follow my dad's footsteps," he said.
Lowe called his selection by Seattle "a great feeling and a dream come true".
Lewis, who was absent from yesterday's draft ceremony, will join fellow Jamaican Darren Mattocks at Vancouver. Mattocks, a former high draft pick, is entering his third season with Vancouver, who also missed MLS play-off 2013.
Pre-season training
Blake will become the second Jamaican goalkeeper in MLS. Donovan Ricketts, voted the league's best last season, plays for Portland Timbers.
Blake, Lowe and Lewis, all Jamaican youth internationals, are expected to join their clubs for pre-season training within the next two weeks. The 2014 MLS season kicks off in early March.
Yesterday's draft selections will bulk up Jamaica's MLS presence. Currently, more than a dozen Jamaica-born players are listed on team rosters. Several more with Jamaican family connections are scattered across the 19-club league.
Damion Lowe ... selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2014 Major League Soccer SuperDraft yesterday. - AP photos
1 2 >
Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
A trio of Jamaicans emerged among the top 10 players selected in yesterday's Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft, with André Blake becoming the first goalkeeper in the history of North America's premier professional competition taken with the highest pick.
In what was the best MLS draft showing by Jamaicans, Blake, 23, an All-American in three seasons at the University of Connecticut, was chosen by Philadelphia Union during a ceremony held in the United States city where the club is based.
He was followed in the first round of the draft by local-based 19-year-old midfielder André Lewis (picked seventh by Vancouver Whitecaps) and 20-year-old defender Damion Lowe, from University of Hartford (eighth by Seattle Sounders).
Romena Bowie, a fourth Jamaican in the draft, was overlooked in yesterday's first two rounds, but is eligible for rounds three and four on January 21.
Blake, who was outstanding at the recent MLS Player Combine and viewed among the most "pro ready" players in Florida, expressed shock at being the top choice.
"It was a big surprise to me," he told ESPN television. " ... I really didn't see number one coming."
Despite the lofty expectations, Blake doesn't believe he will be under added pressure to perform for a team which failed to make the 2013 MLS play-offs.
"It's nothing I can't handle," he said.
Philadelphia Union, original holder of the second pick, obtained the right to pick first after a draft-day trade with DC United. The club didn't hesitate to bank on Blake.
"We felt that he was the type of player and person we couldn't pass up," Philadelphia coach John Hackworth told ESPN.
Lowe was especially happy to become a professional footballer like his father, Onandi, a former Jamaica World Cup star who once played in MLS.
"I always wanted to follow my dad's footsteps," he said.
Lowe called his selection by Seattle "a great feeling and a dream come true".
Lewis, who was absent from yesterday's draft ceremony, will join fellow Jamaican Darren Mattocks at Vancouver. Mattocks, a former high draft pick, is entering his third season with Vancouver, who also missed MLS play-off 2013.
Pre-season training
Blake will become the second Jamaican goalkeeper in MLS. Donovan Ricketts, voted the league's best last season, plays for Portland Timbers.
Blake, Lowe and Lewis, all Jamaican youth internationals, are expected to join their clubs for pre-season training within the next two weeks. The 2014 MLS season kicks off in early March.
Yesterday's draft selections will bulk up Jamaica's MLS presence. Currently, more than a dozen Jamaica-born players are listed on team rosters. Several more with Jamaican family connections are scattered across the 19-club league.
