Kevin Goldthwaite played in 75 matches during his stellar Notre Dame career, which spanned 2001-04. He registered six goals and 24 assists and was a two-time all-BIG EAST performer.

Three Former Irish Players Selected In First Two Rounds Of MLS Draft

Jan. 14, 2005

Three former University of Notre Dame men’s soccer players have been picked in the MLS SuperDraft on Friday, Jan. 14. All three players selected in the first two rounds (24 overall picks). Jack Stewart (Torrance, Calif.) became the first former Irish player to be picked in the first round, as he was selected 10th by the Chicago Fire. Kevin Goldthwaite (Sacramento, Calif.) followed in the second round as the 17th pick overall by the San Jose Earthquakes. Chris Sawyer (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) ended the second round as the 24th pick by the Kansas City Wizards.

The three Notre Dame players selected in this year’s draft are the most in the program’s history (Kevin Richards and Justin Detter were selected last year) and match ’04 National Champion Indiana for the most by a college team in the first two rounds of the SuperDraft.

Sawyer will get a chance to work with a former teammate, as he and Detter (who is in the Wizard’s developmental system) will be on the same roster.

Stewart entered the draft widely regarded as one of the top defenders in the nation and his draft position reflected that sentiment. He ended up as the fourth defender selected in a deep and talented pool of elite defensive players in this year’s draft. As the 10th overall selection, he becomes the highest selection in Notre Dame men’s soccer history. Sawyer ended up as the third goalkeeper selected in the draft.

For more information on Major League Soccer, go to: www.mlsnet.com.