News
Summit soccer star goes pro
January 13, 2012
Austin Berry’07 is on the big screen at the Major League (MLS) SuperDraft in Kansas City, taking the podium at the after Chicago Fire made him the ninth pick. Photo by Bernard Baker.
Summit alum Austin Berry ’07 was a first-round draft pick Thursday, launching him into a professional soccer career with the Chicago Fire.
Berry, Anderson Township, a 6-2 defender for the University of Louisville Cardinals, was the ninth player chosen in the Major League (MLS) SuperDraft in Kansas City. Summit Boys’ Soccer Coach Bernard Baker was on hand to see his protégé take the podium after his selection was announced.
"Thousands of soccer players in Cincinnati dream of playing professional soccer,” Baker said. “It's surreal to see that Austin is that 1% who gets to live that dream."
This has been a big year for Berry, whose defensive moves helped the Cardinals secure 11 shutouts this season, giving him 37 shutouts in his collegiate career. Berry was named a NSCAA Third Team All-American, Soccer America Second Team MVP and Big East Conference First Team.
Berry’s draft made headlines in Cincinnati, Louisville and Chicago. Here’s a roundup of coverage from the draft:
The Cincinnati Enquirer: Summit grad Berry goes ninth in MLS SuperDraft
Community Press: Chicago Fire of MLS make Summit’s Austin Berry No. 9 pick
Chicago Sun-Times: Fire plucks Louisville defender Austin Berry in MLS SuperDraft
ESPN: Fire draft defender Berry with ninth pick
YouTube: 2012 MLS SuperDraft - #9 Pick Overall - Chicago Fire - Austin Berry
Louisville Courier-Journal: MLS teams picks three Louisville soccer players in first round of SuperDraft
