MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact selected Canadian forward Evan James with the first pick of the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, on Tuesday via conference call with Major League Soccer and the 18 other teams in the league. In the following three rounds, the Impact drafted American defender Aaron Schoenfeld, from East Tennessee State University, American forward Steven Miller, from the Colgate University, and Canadian striker Carl Haworth, from Niagara University.
James, a 5’11” striker, played in all 25 games for the UNC Charlotte 49ers in 2011, including 23 as a starter. His five goals and seven assists for a total of 17 points helped the 49ers reach the 2011 NCAA National Championship game, narrowly falling to the number-one seed University of North Carolina Tar Heels by a score of 1-0. He was also named to the All-Atlantic 10 First Team and the NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Team. In 2008, he was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team.
“Evan is a young Canadian player who we followed in college and who we felt did well in the Combine,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “We had him rated higher than a third round pick and are very happy to add him to the group and help move him along.”
The Mississauga (Ontario) resident has also been involved with the game at the national level, training with Canada’s U23 team in January and February 2011.
“It’s a great feeling to come back to Canada, to show that we have talent,” said James. “I hope to bring a lot of excitement and pace when going towards goal, create chances and hopefully score some goals.”
James took to the pitch this morning on the second day of training and will join his teammates as they make their way to Guadalajara, Mexico, for the first leg of its pre-season camp on January 18.
Aarom Schoenfeld (20th pick overall) was one of four Buccaneers to play and start in all 21 games, scoring seven goals, two game-winners, and recording five assists for 19 points. He was named to the A-Sun All-Tournament Team and the First Team All-Conference for the second-consecutive year, as well as being named to the A-Sun’s first Academic All-Conference Team, earning NSCAA First Team All-South Region honours.
Steven Miller (39th pick overall), a forward, was one of six players to play and start in all 22 games. He was named a co-captain of the team and finished the season with a team-high 25 points from 12 goals and one assist, leading the Patriot League in points, points per game, goals and goals per game. He was named the 2011 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and selected to the All-Patriot League First Team and the Patriot League All-Tournament Team as the MVP. Miller was also selected to the NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic First Team and the ECAC Men’s Soccer All-Star Second Team.
Haworth (58th pick overall) was chosen as the 2011 MAAC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Year and named to the All-MAAC First Team for the second time. The Barrie, Ontario native led the conference in scoring with 32 points from 12 goals and eight assists. Haworth was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2008. Along with Evan James, he was invited to take part in the U23 Canadian Nation Team camp in 2011.
Reminder, the team heads to Guadalajara, Mexico, on Wednesday, to continue its pre-season camp.
