The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Two UAB Soccer Players Selected In MLS Super Draft
1/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Jan. 18, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Midfielder Marin Pusek and defender Tony McManus were both drafted in the Major League Soccer super draft, becoming the first players in UAB history to be drafted in the same season. Pusek was selected with the 10th pick in the fourth round by the defending MLS Champions San Jose Earthquakes, while McManus was selected with the ninth pick of the sixth round by the MLS runner-ups Chicago Fire.
"We are very excited for both of these players," said Blazer head coach Mike Getman," and both had brilliant collegiate careers at UAB. We are looking forward to following their professional careers in the future. I think they have made everyone at UAB very proud and it made us all proud to see them drafted in the same draft."
Pusek is a three-time member of the NSCAA All-South Region First Team and two-time member of the All-Conference USA First Team. The Brampton, Ontario native completed his senior season with four goals, four assists and 12 points. For his career, Pusek played in 74 contests, starting 73 times. He had nine goals, 14 assists and 32 points, and leaves UAB ranked 11th in assists for a career.
McManus, selected as a third-team All-American, was named as the Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Year. The Memphis, Tenn. native also joined Pusek on the NSCAA All-South First Team and the Conference USA First Team. McManus was the anchor of a UAB defense, which was among the leaders in C-USA throughout the season in goals allowed (19), goals against average (0.94) and shutouts (8). The two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week was one of only three Blazers to start all 20 contests this season. He finishes his college career with 57 starts and 79 games played.
The duo becomes the fifth and sixth Blazers to be signed by the MLS under Getman. Former UAB forward Peter Byaruhanga was drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in 2000 and eventually won the MLS Cup that same year. Midfielder Roberto Najarro was also selected by the Dallas Burn in 2001, while goalkeepers David Clemente and Clint Baumstark both signed MLS contracts in 2002 and 2003, respectively.
