University of Delaware Athletics
Frimpong Picked in First Round of MLS Supplemental Draft by Chicago (Jan. 17, 2012)
1/17/2012 3:56:00 PM | Men's Soccer
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The history-making season for the University of Delaware men's soccer team continued Tuesday when senior Evans Frimpong became the first Blue Hen player to be selected in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Draft.
A forward from Accra, Ghana, Frimpong (at right) was selected by the Chicago Fire in the first round with the ninth overall pick of the four-round MLS Supplemental Draft. The one-day event was held following the two-round MLS Super Draft which took place last week.
Frimpong was among four players selected Tuesday by the Fire, who also picked up goalkeeper Karl Woszczynski of UAB (15th overall), midfielder Tony Walls of UW-Green Bay (47th overall), and defender Justin Chavez of Tulsa (66th overall).
“We've taken four players in Evans, Carl, Tony and Justin that we feel can come in and challenge for a roster spot,” said Fire head coach Frank Klopas. “All four players have performed well at the collegiate ranks and we're looking forward to welcoming them into training camp this week in Florida.”
“Success leaves clues, I've always believed that,” said Delaware sixth-year head coach Ian Hennessy, who this past season led the Blue Hens to a 13-6-4 record, a first-ever Colonial Athletic Association Tournament title, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament where the Hens knocked off Virginia in the first round for their first ever NCAA victory. “This year we ended up ranked #23 nationally by Soccer America and now we have our first MLS draft pick, so we are starting to lay the foundations for a successful program here at UD. I am overjoyed for Evans because he has been such a driving force behind this success and I think it is a fitting end for him. He now gets the opportunity to compete with the best players in the MLS and to compete against the likes of David Beckham and Thierry Henry in the league, which is every boy's dream who plays soccer.”
Among the honors Frimpong received during the season were second team National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American, first team NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region, Herrmann Trophy (National Player of the Year) final 15 semifinalist, CAA Player of the Year, and ECAC All-East first team.
He ranked among the CAA leaders in scoring, tallying 29 points on 12 goals and five assists this season. He tallied 15 goals during his two-year career with the Blue Hens.
