DePaul University Athletics
Vroom Getting Closer to His Soccer Dream
12/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - Steffen Vroom is getting close to realizing his dream of playing professional soccer.
Vroom is one of 62 seniors from 44 NCAA Division I soccer programs invited to the Major League Soccer (MLS) Player Combine Jan. 8-12 at Central Broward Regional Park in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
MLS coaches and management from all 16 teams will evaluate performances in advance of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 14 in Philadelphia.
After last year's MSL SuperDraft, 42 of the 60 players chosen had attended the Combine.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," said Vroom, who is the first DePaul soccer player to be invited to the MLS Combine. "Once I get down there, I'll realize this is almost a dream come true.
"Then, I'll have to stay focused and make sure it happens."
The Seattle Sounders appear to be the team most interested in selecting Vroom at the SuperDraft. Vroom will be attending the Sounders' team combine Dec. 18 in Las Vegas and returning home the next day for his older sister Shannon's wedding.
On Friday, Vroom's status as one of the top soccer players in the nation was reaffirmed when he received honorable mention on TopDrawerSoccer.com's 2009 Men's College Soccer Team of the Season. That placed the Blue Demon forward among the top 50 in the country.
"I don't really have a favorite team in the MSL," Vroom said. "I have ties to the Chicago Fire since a friend of mine is on the team.
"If I get drafted, I hope it's a cool city to live in or someplace with warm weather."
After finishing the season with career highs in goals with eight and points with 20, Vroom was selected All-BIG EAST First Team. In mid-September he was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Soccer America's National Player of the Week after scoring one goal each in victories over then-No. 9 Northwestern, then-No. 8 UC-Irvine and Buffalo.
Twice last season, Vroom was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week.
"We are all very pleased that Steffen has this unique opportunity to play against some of the most talented young players in the country in front of MLS coaches," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "Steffen epitomizes what being a Blue Demon soccer player is all about.
"He enjoyed every day working hard to improve his game. Steffen is very determined to be successful at the next level, and we know he will do just that."
Vroom and teammate Patrick Hopkins will compete in a Dec. 15-17 invitation-only tryout in Cary, N.C. with the Carolina RailHawks of the newly formed North American Soccer League.
"I want to say a big thank-you to all my teammates and coaches," Vroom said. "Thanks for helping me develop and getting this opportunity."