Former St. Francis soccer player Eric Verso drafted by Montreal Impact
Sitting on a sofa in the players’ lounge inside the Stanford University athletic department, Eric Verso had his eyes glued to the television waiting to find out what his future would hold.
After the St. Francis High graduate helped the Stanford men’s soccer team win its first NCAA Division I championship, Verso got word of his next career path Thursday when he was selected by the Montreal Impact in the second round (34th overall) of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, which was held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore.
“I was watching TV and I heard my name called,” said Verso, a former All-Area Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year. “It’s a great moment with a happy ending.
“It’s something I’ve been determined to do and that’s play in the MLS. It was great to win the NCAA championship [against Clemson] and then be drafted.”
Verso, who recently graduated from Stanford, attended a five-day combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event consisted mostly of scrimmages and agility exercises to give franchise personnel a more comprehensive evaluation of each player.
Verso, a former All-CIF Southern Section first-team pick with the Golden Knights, arrived back to the Bay Area earlier in the week.
“I thought I had some good workouts,” said Verso, who graduated from St. Francis in 2011. “The feedback I received was that I had done well. I had heard that maybe I might be taken late in the first round, but it’s just an honor to be drafted. I’ll fight for a contract and try to get some minutes played.
“Montreal is the next stop on my journey. Not many have a chance like this. I’m determined to continue to work out and hopefully things will work out.”
St. Francis Coach Glen Appels said Verso could be a good fit for Montreal.
“It’s nice to see Eric go to a team that’s got youth and some experienced players,” Appels said. “He’s going to a great sports city that’s got a lot of interest in soccer.”
Montreal finished 15-13-6 in the 10-team Eastern Conference last season. It advanced to the conference semifinals.
The first two rounds were conducted Thursday. With the first pick in the draft, Chicago selected midfielder Jack Harrison, who was then shipped to New York. The third and fourth rounds will be held Tuesday.
Verso collected two goals and 13 assists for 17 points in 23 matches at Stanford last season. His 13 assists tied him with teammate Corey Baird for the team-high and with West Virginia’s Joey Piatczyc for second in NCAA Division I.
“He’s always wanted to become a professional player and he’s done that,” Appels said. “It’s a great day for him.”
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Charles Rich, charles.rich@latimes.com
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
