In any sport, draft day provides a wide range of emotions for players who hope to have their name called by that sports' commissioner. Some players enter full of confidence, others enter full of nerves, while others are there to just enjoy the ride. We caught up with four Dynamo players to discuss their draft-day experience and get their thoughts on the day that changed the course of their professional career.
Corey Ashe
Houston Dynamo (2nd round No. 26 overall in 2007)
Thoughts on draft day
"I had attended the draft with my dad and my agent. It was a pretty exciting experience because it determines where you are gonna go. It’s a big step for any professional soccer player. I remember being a little nervous. There was a group of us sitting together and one-by-one everyone around me was getting drafted. Then the second round rolls around and I didn’t think Houston would draft me. I was told Kansas City or Real Salt Lake would take me. Sure enough, Dom and the staff selected me and it was a sense of relief."
Had you spoken to the Dynamo ahead of the draft?
"I had no idea I was even on their radar. At the combine, I had spoken with RSL head coach John Ellinger - also my coach at Residency - and KC head coach Curt Onalfo. KC was coming up after Houston so I was sure I was going there. Getting picked by Houston was exciting, though, because they were the defending champs. I knew it was gonna be a lot of fun and I would gain a lot of experience."
Will Bruin
Houston Dynamo (1st round No. 11 overall in 2011)
Thoughts on draft day
"I was nervous. It was a rollercoaster of a day. I was told I was going to go top-3 and then I was told I would go No. 5 and then I kept falling, more and more. Teams changed their minds last minute and were scrambling so you have no idea what to expect. My agent was also telling me things all day and eventually he said ‘This one is for sure, you are going to Houston with the trade.’ So I was excited about that.
Eric Brunner
New York Red Bulls (2nd round No. 16 overall in 2008)
Thoughts on draft day
"I wasn’t lucky enough to meet my fiancé yet, but my cousins and my parents were there and I was just soaking up the experience with them. It’s cool to experience first-hand what you previously had watched on TV. It was a little overwhelming having the fans, coaches and general managers there, but it was definitely an experience I will never forget."
Calen Carr
Chicago Fire (1st round No. 10 overall in 2006)
Thoughts on draft day
"I remember it very well. It was in Philadelphia. My mom flew in and one of my closest childhood friends, who lived in New York at the time, took the train in. I remember the excitement of becoming a professional and the feeling of accomplishment of realizing your dreams. It was just a fun experience to be sitting in that room, not knowing where you were going, but knowing you would be a professional soccer player no matter what."
Did you have an idea of where you might get drafted?
"It was pretty wide open for me. Just looking at the draft coverage from then to now, there is so much more coverage now. The process has really evolved, which is another good indicator of how far the league has come."
