Impact take Wenger 1st overall

KANSAS CITY -- The Montreal Impact are hoping Andrew Wenger can bolster their back line as they traverse through their inaugural Major League Soccer season.

The Impact selected Wenger, a 21-year-old defender from Duke University, with the first overall pick during Thursday's MLS SuperDraft in a bit of a surprise move.

Even though Wenger won the 2011 Hermann Trophy as the top player in NCAA soccer, the buzz going into this draft was that the Impact, the league's newest expansion cub, would take University of Akron forward Darren Mattocks.

But instead the Impact went with Wenger, considered the best defender in this draft class. Wenger also has the added value of being a Generation Adidas player, which means his wages won't count against the salary cap.

Wenger admitted he was surprised he went first overall.

“Montreal wasn’t really saying who they would pick, and I always thought Darren would go there,” Wenger told sportsnet.ca.

He said he only found out about the Impact’s intentions a mere two minutes before MLS commissioner Don Garber called out his name.

Asked what Montreal fans could expect from him, Wenger answered “an honest performance and hard work.”

Wenger said his French isn’t very good, but he looks forward to taking steps to learn the language.

“I’m not so much proud as I am honoured (to be selected first overall). To be chosen to join this great organization -- I think they’re headed in the right direction and I’m happy to be aboard,” Wenger stated.

Wenger has great technical skills for a central defender and is versatile, as he can also play as a defensive midfielder, so he should get a chance to prove himself during his rookie season.

Incredibly, he was moved to the forward position during his junior year at Duke and scored 17 goals.

The Impact will make their debut as MLS' 19th franchise when they visit the Vancouver Whitecaps on Mar. 10. Montreal hosts the Chicago Fire in its home opener on Mar. 17 at Olympic Stadium.

After the Impact stepped down from the podium, the Whitecaps selected Mattocks with the second overall pick.

“He brings something that our team needs and that is the ability to stretch opponents and get behind defenders,” Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said.

“He’s a goal-threat and a guy who can finish off chances. He can potentially be a top player so we’re excited to get him.”

The Jamaican-born forward scored 39 goals in 47 matches during the past two seasons, and helped the Akron Zips win a national title in 2010 when he was the second-highest scoring freshman in the NCAA with 18 goals. This past campaign, he found the net 21 times as a sophomore.

He started all but one game during his time at Akron, and scored more goals than current MLS players Steve Zakuani (26), Teal Bunbury (23) and Darlington Nagbe (19) when they played for the Zips.

Possessing speed, finishing ability, and a good first touch, Mattocks has been compared to Colorado Rapids forward Omar Cummings, one of MLS' most dangerous players and a fellow Jamaican.

Athletically gifted, Mattocks has the prototypical physical frame for a young forward at six-feet and 165 pounds, but also has plenty of soccer smarts, and is known for his movement off the ball and ability to stretch opposing defences.

A native of Portmore, Jamaica, Mattocks is a member of his country's under-23 team player pool and is expected to graduate to the Jamaican senior side in due course.

With the fourth pick overall, Toronto FC selected Luis Silva, a 23-year-old attacking midfielder from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Silva talked with TFC management during the recent MLS Combine in Florida, but was surprised he was taken with the number four pick.

“I wasn’t expecting to go this high but I’m glad they picked me. I know a few players from (TFC) that went to UCSB, so I’m really excited to join the team,” Silva said.

TFC then picked Notre Dame defender Aaron Maund with the 12th overall selection.

The Impact used the first pick in the second round (20th overall) on Calum Mallace, a midfielder from Marquette University. The Whitecaps immediately followed by selecting University of Indiana defender Chris Estridge.

TFC did not have a second-round pick.

With the 34th pick overall, the Seattle Sounders selected Babayele Sodade, a 21-year-old native of Windsor, Ont., who plays as a forward at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. In total, 38 players were selected during Thursday’s two-round draft.

One Canadian player that participated in the MLS Combine in Fort Lauderdale but who didn’t end up getting drafted was Evan James, a 21-year-old from Mississauga, Ont. (midfielder, University of North Carolina at Charlotte).