BALTIMORE -- For the third straight year, an America East men's soccer standout has been selected in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. UMBC's Levi Houapeu, the America East Striker of the Year, was chosen in the third round of the 2011 MLS Draft by the Philadelphia Union on Thursday. The event was held as part of the NSCAA Coaches' Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center.
The 41st overall selection, Houapeu, led UMBC to its most successful season in program history as the Retrievers won their first America East Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA College Cup. A third-team All-America selection by both the NSCAA and College Soccer News, Houapeu ranked seventh nationally in total points (31), total goals (14) and goals per game (0.75) and 10th in points per game (1.7). Also the 2009 America East Midfielder of the Year, Houapeu totaled 77 points on 30 goals and 17 assists over the last two seasons. He is the first UMBC player to be drafted into MLS.
Houapeu is the third America East player drafted in as many years and fifth in the 15 years MLS has conducted a draft. Samuel Appiah, 2009 Boston U. graduate, was a third-round choice last season, while Steward Ceus, the 2008 America East Goalkeeper of the Year from Albany, was a third-round selection of the Colorado Rapids in 2009. Appiah appeared in four games for Houston during his rookie season and scored a goal, while Ceus is the Rapids' backup goalkeeper.
Andrew Dorman, a 2004 Boston University graduate, was picked by the New England Revolution that year, while University of Hartford alum Rob Jachym was taken third overall by the Columbus Crew in 1997. Several standouts have been selected in the MLS Supplemental Draft and others have signed as free agents, including Bouna Coundoul. A two-time America East Goalkeeper of the Year for Albany, Coundoul who played last season with the New York Red Bulls and finished the season fourth in goals against average (1.04), second in save percentage (.784) and tied for second in shutouts (11).