Former Waikato FC forward Nik Robson was selected as the first pick of the third round in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft, the 39th pick overall out of over 70 players who have finished their college eligibility and been nominated by an MLS club, as well as youth internationals made available by MLS.
Speaking from his US base in Orlando, Florida, just hours after the news broke, the 2009 Junior All White described how he found out the news.
“Some friends and I were watching online, and I knew there was some chance, but it was a shock when my name came out and it’s just sinking in now,” Robson said.
“It depends on what the team needs. It’s not a guaranteed contract at this stage, but you’re with the team for the whole pre-season. The hard work starts now.”
Unique in the North American sports world, the Supplemental Draft is the continuation of the MLS SuperDraft, which was held in Indianapolis last week. However, it is done via conference call with each of the 19 MLS clubs adding a handful of potential players to their roster.
Still in shock, the 23-year-old struggled to pinpoint how his opportunity at the MLS club had arisen, although a starring role in a friendly with Toronto FC may have had something to do with it.
“I played against Toronto during their pre-season last year when I scored a goal and made an assist for my old college,” Robson said, “I’m pretty sure I had a good match.”
Robson admitted he was unsure if Nelsen had anything to do with his selection but he is due to jet out and link up with the Toronto FC squad in Canada before returning to his second home in Florida for pre-season camp.
He was hopeful of making the Oly Whites squad for the London Olympics but missed out and after three years at the University of Central Florida (UCF) moved to the University of New Mexico for his senior year.
“My time in New Mexico was very important because I learned to adapt to a new team after spending three years getting comfortable at UCF. I knew I wanted to grow, so I put myself into this new situation and became a better player. Transferring in your senior season is never easy, but that challenge paid off for me.”
In four collegiate seasons, Robson made 78 appearances, scored 33 goals and added 22 assists. The New Mexico Lobos made the ‘sweet sixteen’ in the NCAA division one tournament last season.
In his college off-season, Robson spent time with the Chicago Fire premier side in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the US football system.
Interestingly, Toronto has a history of drafting New Zealand players with former Otago United and fringe All Whites defender Andrew Boyens, also New Mexico alumni, also drafted by the Canadian franchise in the first round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft.
Similarly, Jarrod Smith – who is currently on the comeback trail from injury with Hawke’s Bay United in the ASB Premiership – was also selected by Toronto FC as the first pick in the 2007 Supplemental Draft, but signed with a lower-tier side until March 2008 when he was added to the MLS roster.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz