Houapeu Becomes First Retriever Drafted Into MLS
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14 FEBRUARY 1, 2011 THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY Houapeu becomes first Retriever drafted into MLS Corey Johns — TRW Levi Houapeu took the men’s soccer team to a level they’ve never been to before, and now he is the first ever to play in the MLS, drafted by the Philadelphia Union with the 41st overall pick. the team drafted, and was greeted by the York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire, Vancouver no-brainer for our pick when he was still go in and just find a role on his new team Corey Johns S.O.B.'s, Philadelphia Union's fans, an White Caps, Portland Timbers, and, the eligible who we were going to draft and and says he is going into training camp EDITORIAL STAFF experience Houapeu simply said "was a team that drafted him, the Philadelphia I think we got fortunate that he fell as far "open minded and will do what ever I great feeling." Union. as he did." can to help the team. But at the end of On January 13, 2011, Major League After a season in which Houapeu led At one point, several draft projections During the 2010 season Houapeu was the day, I want to score goals. No matter Soccer held their 12th annual MLS Su- UMBC to their first-ever second round had the 21-year-old Houapeu being not worried about his future in the MLS where they put me, I will find a way to perDraft at the Baltimore Convention appearance in the NCAA tournament by drafted as high as number 10 overall, and he was not worried about finding put the ball in the back of the net." Center. In attendance was men's soccer scoring a goal with an assist in an upset, but while at the combine he was moved out which teams were interested in him While Caringi was still surprised and coach Pete Caringi, assistant coach An- come-from-behind victory at Princeton, from striker, where he was nation's or scouting him during games; he was upset that D.C. United passed on a player thony Adams, several representatives he didn't take a break like most athletes leader in total points and goals the last worried about winning a championship. who is from the area he thinks "where he of the UMBC Athletic Department, and do for a few days when their season ends. two seasons combined, to left midfield. But at the combine he learned just how is, is the best for him...I know Philadel- many UMBC soccer fans. But the man He was still working out, training, and Being a naturally right-footed player it interested Philadelphia was to draft him. phia is really excited about getting Levi they were there to support was not. In- preparing for a professional career. was awkward for him, he struggled, and "I heard some speculation that they and we're excited because, if he would stead of being downtown, Levi Houapeu For nearly two months Houapeu was that, combined with him being an inter- were interested and once I got down to have been [far away], we would have had was at home with his family, watching preparing for his last chance to leave an national player, (MLS teams are only al- Florida, I met with the coaching staff, a chance to watch him play once a year. the events live on his television and com- impression on MLS teams at the com- lowed three under the age of 25), caused they interviewed me, and I felt comfort- But now it's nothing for us to drive and puter, praying that he would hear his bine, which took place from January his stock to drop to No. 41 overall. able with them. They were honest with hour-and-a-half to watch him play.' name called. 7-11 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. "He really played out of position...but me, they told me they liked me and once Plus, the Philadelphia Union, which "With the fifth pick in the third Houapeu was excited that he was get- I think he did the best he could in those they picked me I was just happy because starts their season on March 19, is a sec- round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft the ting ready to achieve his dream of play- conditions," said Caringi, who was with I felt that they trusted me." ond-year team, "So it's not like they have Philadelphia Union select from UMBC, ing professional soccer. He had dreamed Houapeu during the combine. Now in the next chapter in his career, a lot of veteran players, and some things forward, Levi Houapeu," MLS commis- of it since he was a kid playing in pickup Several teams backed off Houapeu, Houapeu understands his role. He is no I've seen on websites have Levi starting. sioner Don Garber announced over the games on dry fields, barefoot, with goals including DC United, a team that many, longer the guy to whom every player And he hasn't even played a scrimmage microphone at the Baltimore Convention made out of rocks in his home country including Caringi, thought would take looks to get the ball on every possession. yet." Center, making Houapeu the first player of the Ivory Coast prior to moving to him with their second round pick. He looks at this like his first two seasons "Any time you take a player in the in UMBC history to make it to the MLS. America. But he admitted that he was But the Philadelphia Union "did their at UMBC when he wasn't the go-to guy. draft, you're giving him an opportunity. When he heard that he dropped down stressed by it all. homework," according to assistant coach "You have to respect your teammates And when we look at Levi we see a very to his knee and immediately started "You don't know where you're go- Rob Vartughian, who had seen Houapeu and earn respect from your teammates," athletic, very explosive guy who, in his thanking God while his family and ing to end up, you don't know what play since he was a kid playing in the he said. "My first two years at UMBC, I college career, led [UMBC] in points and friends gave their congratulations, and team likes you, you don't know what Olympic Development Program. did what I was asked to do and I got to led the nation in total scoring. You have his cell phone recieved a barrage of text system you're going in to," he said. But "The first thing we said [when we saw learn from all those people...It's the same an attacking talent who is also a very messages saying the same thing. in his time of struggle he turned to his him at the combine] was 'he's not play- like going to the Philadelphia Union. You athletic, very dynamic, and he's a great "I was thanking God for his charity," faith in God as he's done so many times ing the best spot to help him,’" Vartugh- know the professional team. Everybody kid," Vartughian said. "As for where he Houapeu said. "I was relieved, happy before. "I prayed a lot and told God to ian said. is good, the leadership is tough, and go- fits in, I'm not sure, we'll see...we look ,and more relieved that I was going to guide me and I'm sure God put me on a But Vartughian and the Union staff al- ing there trying to learn from the profes- at him and think he has the intangibles, be somewhere close to home. I feel like team where I'm comfortable. God got me ready had an opinion of Houapeu, hav- sional guys and trying to feel comfortable a lot of the raw qualities that you like in I'm not too far away from my friends and where I am today, and my faith is going ing seen multiple collegiate games and with them and work your way up." a player,.How it all translates, we won't family." to carry me for years to come." having seen him while he played for F.C. That doesn't mean Houapeu won't try know, but we know enough that we're Houapeu then received a phone call Even during the 2010 soccer season, Reading Revolution, a developmental to stand out right away. "I'm willing to do willing to give him an opportunity on from the Philadelphia Union coaching many MLS teams showed interest in summer league team affiliated with the what I have to do to separate myself from our team and we'll see how it goes." staff a few moments after the announce- Houapeu. Caringi said that he would Philadelphia Union, which scrimmaged the rest. I'm going to be working hard ment. Houapeu went to the Baltimore receive calls from general managers and them while Houapeu was playing. each and every day and trying to become Convention Center, met with his new representatives of teams all the time, "We all knew him and were surprised a dominant player," he said. Comments can be sent to coaches, met with the two other players such as D.C. United, LA Galaxy, New he slipped as far as he did, so it was a But before he can do that, he's going to [email protected]..