LaBrocca Drafted by Colorado Rapids
Jan 12 | Men's Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Former Rutgers men's soccer player Nick LaBrocca (Howell, N.J.) was drafted by the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer as the ninth pick in the third round, and the 35th overall pick. The midfielder was one of five players chosen by the Rapids during Friday's draft, held in Indianapolis, Ind. Labrocca becomes the fifth RU player in six years to be drafted by a MLS team, joining former Rutgers standouts Chris Karcz, Josh Gros, Guy Abrahamson, and Dennis Ludwig.
"We've had a lot of former players play professional ball in the past and many for MLS teams," head coach Bob Reasso said, "and Nick really deserves this. He's done so much for the program and I'm delighted he gets the opportunity to play out a childhood dream."
LaBrocca finished his career at Rutgers with 10 goals and eight assists for 28 points, and missed just one start in 78 career games. In 2006, he started all 19 of RU's games and scored three goals, including RU's lone goal against No. 24 Rhode Island in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 11. LaBrocca also took 33 shots on the season, the third-highest total on the team. His play and outstanding leadership for the Scarlet Knights helped the team advance to the semifinals of the BIG EAST tournament and earn an at-large bid into the NCAA championships. LaBrocca was also named to the All-BIG EAST and the NSCAA All-Northeast Region's Second Teams.
One of just 58 college seniors invited to participate in this year's MLS soccer combine held from Jan. 5-8, LaBrocca had an impressive showing in front of coaches and general managers from all 13 major league soccer teams. He was one of just seven BIG EAST players selected in the draft.
The last Scarlet Knight player to be drafted by a MLS team was Karcz, who was chosen in the third round of the league's inaugural Supplemental Draft in February, 2005.
