Sports
Former L-W East Standout Duran Picked in First Round of MLS SuperDraft
Former Mokena resident and Lincoln-Way East graduate Andrew Duran was picked in the first round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the Seattle Sounders. His selection generated a harsh reaction from some who follow the Sounders.
Andrew Duran, a former Mokena resident and graduate of Lincoln-Way East High School, is going to have to win over fans in his new hometown as he embarks on a career in professional soccer.
Duran was selected by the Seattle Sounders with the 15th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday. Then, he was dissed by some in the local media because his forte is defense. And everybody loves offense, right? Jeremiah Oshan offered a different point of view on Duran's selection on sounderatheart.com.
Duran, 22, is used to bucking the odds. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year during his final season at Creighton. And he was a second-team All-America selection in 2011.
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The awards followed on the heels of some tougher times. He made 48 starts in parts of five seasons with the Bluejays. He battled through injuries and underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in October of 2008.
Duran was named the NSCAA High School Player of the Year in 2006. He is the son of William and Linda Duran.
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Andrew is expected to play either center back or on the defensive wings for the Sounders.
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