TicketsJan. 12, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- University of Cincinnati men's soccer standout Omar Cummings has been drafted by the Colorado Rapids with the 31st pick overall in the third round of the 2007 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Cummings becomes the third Bearcat to be drafted by an MLS club.
"We're extremely pleased to see Omar drafted by such an excellent organization and coaching staff," said UC head coach Hylton Dayes. "Omar has a great future as a professional and we are eager to follow his career as he continues to develop."
Cummings joins Josh Gardner and Jeremiah Gallegos as the only Bearcats to be selected in the MLS draft. Both were taken by the Los Angeles Galaxy, Gardner with the 13th overall pick in 2004 and Gallegos with the 46th pick of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft.
"This is another great thing for our program," added Dayes. "We have had a player drafted by the MLS in three of the last four years. I think that is a testament to the caliber of player we have been able to recruit and develop."
Cummings, a first team NSCAA/adidas All-American in 2006, led the Bearcats in scoring for the second straight season with 21 points (6 G, 9 A). A two-time unanimous first team All-BIG EAST selection, he ranked sixth in the BIG EAST in scoring and finished second in the league with nine assists in 2006. Cummings closed out his two-year career at UC ranked fifth in school history with 16 career assists.
"I am very excited," said Cummings. " is a great organization and I hope to do great things as a professional."
Cummings was the first Bearcat to earn All-America honors since defender Andrew Kean was named to the NSCAA third team in back-to-back seasons in 1998 and 1999. Cummings was the fifth player selected from the BIG EAST Conference, following Anthony Wallace of USF, Greg Dalby and Nate Norman of Notre Dame and Richard Asante of Syracuse.
Cummings will report to to prepare for the start of the MLS season in early April.