Almost famous
Two Bulldogs graduate to Major League Soccer
Mark Nelson
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
Thirty miles outside of Portland on his way to an invitation-only tryout with the Portland Timbers of the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1), Gonzaga senior defender Austin Washington received a phone call from teammate and fellow senior George Josten.
"George called me and he said 'You got drafted.' Those were his words," Washington said.
Washington wasn't alone - Josten was also drafted in an earlier round that day.
The teammates became the second and third draft picks from the Gonzaga men's soccer team in the program's history.
The first pick, Brian Ching, left large cleats to fill for the newly drafted Zags.
Ching, drafted in 2001 by the Los Angeles Galaxy as the 16th overall pick, worked his way into Major League Soccer. After 31 appearances with the Seattle Sounders (USL-1), Ching broke into MLS for good with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2003. In 2006, Ching led the Houston Dynamo to an MLS Cup championship and earned MVP honors. He has also appeared 25 times on the U.S. men's national team since 2003.
But Josten and Washington have plenty of time to catch up to Ching.
"I don't think many people have made that comparison [between me and Ching] just because we play the same position. Ching wasn't a big name coming out of college," said Josten, who is tied with Ching for third all-time in career goals (34) at Gonzaga.
The 2008 MLS SuperDraft took place Jan. 18 in Baltimore. Josten was selected by the Columbus Crew with the 20th overall selection.
Josten was already in Baltimore attending a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) convention to accept the NSCAA/adidas Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Even though he was in town, Josten didn't want to attend the MLS SuperDraft.
"I didn't want to go sit there and watch," Josten said.
Instead, he decided to go sightseeing around downtown Baltimore. His younger brother Nicko, 19, called him and thought he already heard the news.
"George called me and he said 'You got drafted.' Those were his words," Washington said.
Washington wasn't alone - Josten was also drafted in an earlier round that day.
The teammates became the second and third draft picks from the Gonzaga men's soccer team in the program's history.
The first pick, Brian Ching, left large cleats to fill for the newly drafted Zags.
Ching, drafted in 2001 by the Los Angeles Galaxy as the 16th overall pick, worked his way into Major League Soccer. After 31 appearances with the Seattle Sounders (USL-1), Ching broke into MLS for good with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2003. In 2006, Ching led the Houston Dynamo to an MLS Cup championship and earned MVP honors. He has also appeared 25 times on the U.S. men's national team since 2003.
But Josten and Washington have plenty of time to catch up to Ching.
"I don't think many people have made that comparison [between me and Ching] just because we play the same position. Ching wasn't a big name coming out of college," said Josten, who is tied with Ching for third all-time in career goals (34) at Gonzaga.
The 2008 MLS SuperDraft took place Jan. 18 in Baltimore. Josten was selected by the Columbus Crew with the 20th overall selection.
Josten was already in Baltimore attending a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) convention to accept the NSCAA/adidas Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Even though he was in town, Josten didn't want to attend the MLS SuperDraft.
"I didn't want to go sit there and watch," Josten said.
Instead, he decided to go sightseeing around downtown Baltimore. His younger brother Nicko, 19, called him and thought he already heard the news.