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Club Alumni The list includes over 100 players who have played for the club and gone on to play in college or professionally. In 2003, the Jason Cole became the first Kansas City United Alumni to be signed to a professional soccer contract with the MLS. Jason was drafted by the Colorado Rapids. In 2005, William John became the second Attack Player to sign with the MLS, signing a Project 40 contract after his sophomore year in at St. Louis University . He was followed in the fall of 2005, by Josh Duffy, who was signed to the Kansas City Wizards reserve squad in the final weeks of the season. In 2006, Josh went on to play in the second division in Holland and Spain . In 2007, Matt Blouin was drafted by the MISL , the professional indoor league Orlando Sharks. Twenty-three players (Oran Andrews, Brant Bishop, Adam Blinzler, Matt Blouin, Scott Case, Jason Cole, Toby Crookshanks, Matt Darby, Josh Duffy, Jon Grossman, Matt Jewett, William John, Richie Harris, Josh Howard, Peter Kariotis, Kurt Larson, Haggi Lebbo, Josh Murad, Matt Robards, Lucas Rodriquez, Dan Watson, Joe Welch and Brian Wurst) have been selected for play on Premier Development League teams. The PDL consists of 56 teams nationwide that play in the highest-level amateur league in the United States . The PDL was created to allow top college players that aspire to play professionally the opportunity to play each summer against current professionals and other top amateurs. For the last four years the majority of players drafted to play for MLS teams, such as the Kansas City Wizards, have played in the PDL. Eleven players have played for NCAA Div. 1 top twenty in the nation programs (Brant Bishop, Jason Cole, Matt Herald, Matt Darby, Stephen Grow, Matt Robards, Dan Watson, Matt Jewett, William John, Brian Wurst and Richie Harris). Matt Jewett played for 2000 NCAA Div. 1 Finalist and 2002 NCAA Div. 1 Semi-Finalist, Creighton University . Six players have played for a NCAA Div. 2 top twenty program (Adam Blinzler, Brett Coppage, Pat Geraghty, Haggi Lebbo, Todd Trahan and Brian Wittenborn). While nine players have played at NJCAA top fifteen national program, Johnson County Community College (Adam Blinzler, Toby Crookshanks, Ian Cowan, Pat Geraghty, Kevin Mertz, Pat Smith, Lucas Rodriguez, Aaron Winters, and Brian Wittenborn.) Finally, eight players have been accorded All American honors. |