Kansas City Wizards Select 5 In MLS SuperDraft
January 14, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards added five fresh faces to their team on Thursday, with the first father-son pair in Major League Soccer history highlighting the squad's 2010 SuperDraft selections.
University of Akron forward and 2010 Hermann Trophy winner Teal Bunbury, son of former Wizards striker Alex Bunbury, was selected in the first round with the 4th overall pick. The selection marked the first time that the son of an MLS player has been selected to play in MLS as well. The younger Bunbury enjoyed a prolific scoring record at the University of Akron, scoring 23 goals and adding eight assists in two seasons with the Zips. In 2009, Bunbury was the nation's leading scorer with 17 goals on an Akron offensive unit rated first in the nation.
"It's an amazing feeling, being able to say that my dad played for the Kansas City Wizards and now I'm going to as well," Bunbury said. "I feel honored and privileged to carry on the Bunbury name."
A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Bunbury has also represented Canada at the international level, making appearances for the U-17 and U-20 National Teams.
Wizards Manager Peter Vermes hopes that Bunbury's size (6-2, 175 lbs), speed, and adaptability will make him a valuable asset for the Wizards this season.
"He's a polished forward from the college game," Vermes said. We think he has a lot of talent and a huge upside."
With the 4th selection in the second round, the Wizards selected North Carolina State University defender Korede Aiyegbusi. A pacy wing-back with dual Nigerian and English citizenship, Aiyegbusi was named first team all-ACC both of his two years at NC State. Before his time with the Wolf Pack, Aiyegbusi played his first two years at Essex Community College In Baltimore, Md. There, he was named a first team All-American by the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA).
Kansas City went in a more defensive direction to start the third round, selecting San Diego State University senior Nick Cardenas with the 36th overall pick. An imposing figure at 6-5, 205lbs, Cardenas was a 2009 All-Pac 10 selection at SDSU, scoring four goals and adding an assist as a central defender.
University of Michigan senior Mauro Fuzetti was next on the Wizards' draft list, selected just five picks after Cardenas in the third round. An attacking player by trade, Fuzetti scored 23 goals and added 15 assists in his four years with the Wolverines, making First Team All-Big Ten twice in the process.
The Wizards rounded out their 2010 SuperDraft class on the defensive end, selecting University of Indiana defender Ofori Sarkodie with the 52nd overall pick in the fourth and final round. Sarkodie is perhaps best known for his successes on the youth national team level, earning 26 caps for the U.S. Under-17 National Team in 2005. Since then, Sarkodie has enjoyed a solid career with the Hoosiers, earning All-Big Ten honors twice.
Teal Bunbury - 4th Overall (First Round)
Position: Forward
Born: 2/17/1990 (19)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 175
College: University of Akron
Hometown: Prior Lake, MN
Citizenship: Canada
Korede Aiyegbusi - 20th Overall (Second Round)
Position: Defender
Born: 7/15/1988 (21)
Height: 5-5 Weight: 155
College: North Carolina State University
Hometown: London, England
Citizenship: England/Nigeria
Nick Cardenas - 36th Overall (Third Round)
Position: Defender
Born: 11/21/1987 (22)
Height: 6-5 Weight: 205
College: San Diego State University
Hometown: Thornton, CO
Citizenship: USA
Mauro Fuzetti - 41st Overall (Third Round)
Position: Forward
Born: 11/18/1987 (22)
Height: 5-9 Weight: 155
College: University of Michigan
Hometown: Houston, TX
Citizenship: USA/Brazil
Ofori Sarkodie - 52nd Overall (Fourth Round)
Position: Defender
Born: 9/16/1987 (21)
Height: 5-10 Weight: 178
College: University of Indiana
Hometown: Huber Heights, Ohio
Citizenship: USA
Major League Soccer Stories from January 14, 2010
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- D.C. United Drafts DC Native Jordan Graye - D.C. United
- FC Dallas Selects North Carolina Standout Zach Loyd Fifth Overall In MLS SuperDraft - FC Dallas
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- Philadelphia Union Select Danny Mwanga With First Selection In 2010 MLS SuperDraft - MLS
- Chivas USA Selects Midfielder Blair Gavin In First Round Of 2010 MLS SuperDraft - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Sounders FC Makes David Estrada Top Pick In 2010 MLS SuperDraft - Seattle Sounders FC
- Duka, Dike Headline Crew's Five Selections At 2010 MLS SuperDraft - Columbus Crew SC
- Kansas City Wizards Select 5 In MLS SuperDraft - Sporting Kansas City
- Toronto FC Completes 4th MLS SuperDraft - Toronto FC
- Rapids Select Four In 2010 MLS SuperDraft - Colorado Rapids
- Earthquakes Pick Up Five Players In 2010 MLS Superdraft - San Jose Earthquakes
- Revolution Adds Five In Thursday's MLS SuperDraft - New England Revolution
- Red Bulls Add Five Players In Busy 2010 MLS SuperDraft - New York Red Bulls
- Dejan Jakovic Called Up To Canadian National Team - D.C. United
- Earthquakes Select Wake Forest All-American Defender Ike Opara With Third Overall Pick In MLS SuperD - San Jose Earthquakes
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- Red Bulls Acquire Defender Chris Albright - New York Red Bulls
- Revolution Deals Albright To New York Red Bulls - New England Revolution
- MLS Executives Nelson Rodriguez And Todd Durbin Named To Head New Technical And Player Relations Dep - MLS
- FC Dallas Deals First Round Pick To Philadelphia Union - FC Dallas
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