Former soccer stars achieve their goals
Jason Harris
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Sports
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No, the Patriots and Giants aren't searching for clutch field goal kickers in Sunday's Super Bowl. Britner and Manuel were drafted by the teams that play the other kind of football in those stadiums: the New England Revolution and the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, respectively. The two seniors who helped the men's soccer team to an Ivy League title are moving on to new playing fields.
"I was elated. It's where I wanted to be," Britner said after he got the call from the Revs in the third round of the Jan. 18 MLS Superdraft. Britner was taken 41st overall, and was the fourth player selected by the Revolution.
Britner had been hoping that he might be drafted ever since Brown's season ended. He attended the MLS combine on Jan. 12 and 13, where many coaches had a chance to see his talent, which solidified the Bears' backline all season.
Still, the experience was mostly a mystery for the Ivy League Player of the Year.
"I went down to the combine and I did all right. Not spectacular," he said. "I didn't have anyone behind the scenes to let me know."
Britner did not have an agent like some other players, though he did have some support from Brown Head Coach Mike Noonan.
"I have a role to promote them," Noonan said. "Matt was highly sought after. I had conversations with (Revolution Head Coach) Steve Nicol and other MLS coaches."
With such uncertainty, Britner, who lost two seasons of his collegiate career due to back-to-back ACL injuries on opposite knees, couldn't help but manage expectations.
"I put no pressure on myself, starting with the combine," he said. "I didn't want to try to do too much. I can't control what the coaches like. There probably would have been some disappointment (if it hadn't worked out)."
Britner thought he had a chance with the Revolution because since they are in the area, they had seen him play a few times. That is a strong factor in the MLS, where the scouting networks are not as strong or deep as they are in many of the other major sports leagues. He also felt he might have a shot with Toronto FC because he is a native Canadian.