PHILADELPHIA | The wait was worth it for Kyle Venter Thursday.
The former Smoky Hill High School soccer star sat around for nearly two hours as the 2014 Major League Soccer SuperDraft unfolded at the Philadelphia Convention Center, waiting for his name to be called.
It took a little longer than he expected, but in the end, the Los Angeles Galaxy used the fourth pick of the second round — No. 23 overall — to take Venter, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound defender who was a three-time All-American at the University of New Mexico.
“There were a little bit of nervous and frustration being there that long, but I’m really excited,” Venter said from the airport in Philadelphia as he headed back to Albuquerque.
“Talking with my agent and getting insight, and with all the speculation online, I didn’t think I would be there so long,” he added. “But things happen for a reason. I think I’m in a great spot and I’m just super excited to get out to LA.”
Venter said his phone had been “blowing up” with well-wishes from back in Colorado with all the people he keeps in touch with. His parents still live in the Southlands area.
Venter played a key role for Smoky Hill during a run that produced back-to-back Class 5A boys state championships in 2006 and 2007 under former coach Danny Winsor. Venter, a key part of the Buffs’ defense and integral in set pieces with his big leg and size in the air, was a two-time first team selection on the Aurora Sentinel All-City Boys Soccer Team before he graduated and moved on to play for the Lobos.
At New Mexico, he redshirted as a freshman in 2009 and then played a key role for New Mexico over the next four seasons, including its run to the College Cup semifinals in 2013. As a senior, he was Conference USA’s Most Valuable Player and the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year.
“New Mexico was unbelieveable; I had to redshirt my first fall with the guys ahead of me, but I had a great experience with that and learned a lot about myself being more mature,” said Venter, who played in 86 games, 85 of them starts, and logged 7,859 career minutes for the Lobos.
“I saw everything I could have wanted, from first-round exits in the NCAA Tournament to the Final Four this last year,” he continued. “The coaching staff was amazing and helped me become the person I am today.”
A scout’s assessment of Venter on the MLS site states: “Strong, physical center back with good intangibles … Unbelievable leader who makes his team go both on and off the field … Has a mean streak when he gets on the field … He can distribute pretty well with some range from the back … He’s good in the air and good when the ball’s in front of him, but it’s balls over the top and through-balls that he struggles on … Watching him at the College Cup, I felt bad because he didn’t do a thing right; I’ve never seen him play like that. But he had an ankle injury he was dealing with late in the season … He’s smart and reads the game well, but he’s slow and teams had some success getting by him.”
Venter’s own assessment of his game as a center back is very close to the same.
“I’m good in the air, great distribution out of the back, long or short,” he said. “I’m a very vocal organizer and leader and most importantly, I try to be a good teammate. I genuinely care about my teammates and I’m hoping to bring that to this organization. …My mindset is to come in and work hard and anything can happen.”
Venter hopes to play professional soccer for as long as possible, but he has plenty to fall back on. The Academic All-Conference USA selection graduated from New Mexico in December with a business degree and could catch on with a team in business management when his playing career is over.
“I have a degree, so if and when soccer is ever over, I’m confident I’m set up well,” Venter said.
While he was away at college, Venter still kept tabs on the Smoky Hill program, which new coach Kersten Mullan — whose husband Brian also plays in MLS with the Colorado Rapids — is back among the elite in the state, where it was when Venter played there.
“I’m glad to see Smoky Hill back where they should be, constantly getting into the tournament,” he said. “I know being the No. 1 seed this year they were a little bit bummed of not advancing further, but when you get into a single elimination tournament, anything can happen. Sometimes the best team does not win the tournament.”
Two other players with Colorado prep roots were taken in the first two rounds of the MLS SuperDraft. Northglenn grad Tesho Akindele was selected No. 6 overall by FC Dallas after a standout career at Colorado School of Mines, while Cherry Creek grad Robbie Derschang went four picks after Venter, as the Philadelphia Union selected the defender No. 27 overall.
The third and fourth rounds of the MLS SuperDraft are slated for Jan. 21.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel
