Ray Reid is no stranger to seeing his guys in MLS.
The University of Connecticut head coach has watched former players like Carlos Alvarez, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Tony Cascio, and Julius James enter the league over the past several years.
This season, three Huskies are listed as prospects in the draft: goalkeeper Andre Blake, forward Mamadou Doudou Diouf, and holding midfielder George Fochive.
"I'm happy for them," Reid told philadelphiaunion.com recently. "We have good kids. They come in, they work hard, they give their sweat and blood to the university and they get an education. I'm thrilled to see them have this opportunity."
Diouf is a rangy forward with goal scoring instinct. His production was down in 2013, but he scored 28 goals during his Sophomore and Junior years.
"(Mamadou) is very dangerous, very athletic, and great in the air," said Reid. "Good feet, technical, coachable. Extremely loyal. He's like a son."
No doubt, all eyes are on the six-foot-four Blake. The Jamaica native is considered by some to be the best pure athlete in the draft and he's projected as a top ten pick.
Reid says he's a legitimate starter for whichever team selects him.
"He's the best goalkeeper (I've ever had) in 25 years," he explained. "He's great in the air. Great hands. Good footwork. Good communicator, great contributor. Very coachable, very driven. He's the whole package."
Fochive is a native of France, but he holds a green card and will not require an international slot in MLS. He's a smaller but rugged defensive mid who started all 23 games for UConn this season.
"Holding midfielder, warrior, good feet, and tough," Reid said. He's a tough kid with a tough engine. Very academic, really takes time to grow on you. He can definitely play in the league. He's a very good player."
Tomorrow: Kinkead examines the major players at the University of California
What do you think of the Connecticut representatives in the draft? Drop us a line below.
Contact Union writer Kevin Kinkead at k.kinkead@hotmail.com
