The 23-year-old central defender is more likely to go first in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta spoke with Birnbaum about potential touchdown spots and stepping as much as the subsequent stage.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
January 15, 2014
2:05 PM
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THURSDAY SHOULD BE a really massive day for a really promising soccer expertise: College of California defender Steve Birnbaum.
Birnbaum is broadly thought of to be essentially the most MLS-ready athlete in tomorrow’s MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia. In its most up-to-date mock draft, TopDrawerSoccer.com has Birnbaum going first general. For a DC United group that 1) wants assist now and a couple of) has the primary decide within the draft, a sophisticated central defender like Birnbaum is maybe too good of a chance to cross up.
“I’m not nervous. I’m excited to start a new chapter in my life,” Birnbaum advised American Soccer Now. “College was awesome, and I’m excited to see where I end up to start my career.”
One of many the explanation why Birnbaum is so extremely rated heading into the draft is that he’s seen as a mature participant who was a pacesetter on a really gifted Cal group that would see a number of of its gamers drafted on Thursday. Birnbaum, who turns 23 this month, can also be one of many older gamers within the participant pool.
The Irvine, Calif., native missed his total 2012 season with a lateral collateral ligament harm to his knee and took a medical redshirt to return for a fifth yr. Whereas the rising pattern of gamers is to depart school early to show skilled, Birnbaum is adamant that staying in school helped him.
“I think staying college was great,” Brinbaum stated. “You get to mature as a player and as a person. Even in dealing with adversity in college, it matures you and you get to learn more about yourself and even more about the game before stepping into a business environment as a professional. I thought staying in college was the best decision and being there, learning from Coach Grimes and all of the assistant coaches, has been a huge advantage for me.”
Kevin Grimes is a former U.S. nationwide group defender and has been the top coach at California for 13 years. This yr, Birnbaum scored a group excessive 10 targets in 19 video games regardless of taking part in on the backline. In consequence he was named a First Crew All-American. Grimes believes that Birnbaum is without doubt one of the finest gamers this system has ever produced.
“Steve being a NSCAA First Team All-American is quite an accomplishment,” Cal Grimes stated. “His accomplishments and recognition this year are unprecedented. Obviously, he will go down as one of the all-time best players in Cal soccer history. It is also the byproduct of great teammates who pushed each other every day in training.”
The Golden Bear’s different central defender, Christian Dean, is projected to go inside the first 5 picks on Thursday.
When making the choice as to the place to begin his profession, Birnbaum had affords from abroad however final week elected as a substitute to signal with MLS as a substitute. If Birnbaum is chosen by DC United, as many anticipate he might be, he may have an excellent likelihood to change into the group’s opening day starter. And he might see necessary video games within the CONCACAF Champions League, which United certified for by profitable the 2013 U.S. Open Cup.
“I’ve thought about it,” Birnbaum stated. “Obviously it’s hard not to think about it. DC would be a great place to be. It’s a great organization. They’ve made some huge offseason moves getting a bunch of attackers like Eddie Johnson. If I fall there, it’d be awesome. I’d be excited to be the No. 1 pick. Who wouldn’t be? I’ll just be happy wherever I end up and hopefully be ready to contribute right from the beginning.”
Sooner or later, Birnbaum doesn’t rule out the potential for transferring his recreation to Europe however he’s additionally impressed by the latest headline strikes which have introduced Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, and Jermaine Defoe into the league.
“Michael Bradley is in the prime of his career and it’s a big deal for him to come back to MLS,” Birnbaum stated. “I’m certain MLS is attempting to get the most effective American gamers into the league. It’s a giant step up. It’ll be superior to play towards a few of these guys that I’ve adopted for a very long time. I’m joyful to be within the firm as these guys. I considered taking part in abroad sooner or later. I’m simply joyful to be a part of MLS. It’s a terrific league and it’s up and coming.”
“I don’t understand how I couldn’t be joyful.”
As for the expectations and the strain that he’ll face as one of many high picks, Birnbaum isn’t in the least fazed. He’s assured is his potential and is solely trying ahead to beginning coaching camp quickly along with his new group.
“I think it’s something I’ll be able to put aside,” Birnbaum stated. “It’s what I’ve done to get here that’s gotten me to this position. I’m honestly just happy to be in this position I’m right now. If I just play my game and do what I’ve done the past four or five years, I think I’ll be fine.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Observe him on Twitter.
