North Carolina State University Athletics
Aiyegbusi and Sanchez Playing Professionally
4/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. – A pair of teammates from last season’s NC State men’s soccer team have gone onto the professional level. Korede Aiyegbusi is currently playing for the Kansas City Wizards in the MLS, while Alan Sanchez is playing in USL2 with the Real Maryland Monarchs.
“It is essential for our program to get players to the next level,” said NC State head coach George Tarantini. “Playing in the ACC does nothing but help individual players, and for us to be able to see guys mature both on and off the field during their time at NC State is what running a program is all about.”
Aiyegbusi and Sanchez were keys to the Pack’s success this past season. The Pack played in the ACC Championship game, and then advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. NC State finished the season ranked No. 23 nationally by the NSCAA.
“These two players helped us immensely over the past couple of seasons,” said Tarantini. “Alan is very gifted and creative with the ball. He is a great finisher, and the more experience he gets at the next level the more he will continue to improve. Korede is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached, he just gives you everything he has each time out.”
Aiyegbusi spent the past two seasons with the Pack after transferring from Essex Community College, starting all 41 games at NC State. After the season, he was selected in the second round, 20th selection overall, of the MLS draft by Kansas City.
Kansas City is off to a 2-1-1 start for the season, and currently sits in second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Aiyegbusi made his professional debut in the season opener, as he came off the bench in the Wizard’s 4-0 win over D.C. United.
“It feels great to make in to the MLS,” said Aiyegbusi. “The hard work I put into my time at NC State and then after the season was over, to hear that I got drafted was a dream come true. So many kids worldwide have dreams of playing professionally, and right now I am living my dream.”
“Playing at NC State and in the ACC, I got to go up against some of the top players in all of college soccer everyday in practice and in games. At NC State one of the focal points was to push the ball forward with speed, and that is the same style of play Kansas City expects. My time at NC State has definitely made it for an easier transition to this level.”
“As a rookie, I just have to go out and work hard every day. I have to take advantage of every opportunity given to me, whether that comes in practice or in games.”
The Pack has had a handful of former players drafted into the MLS over recent years. In 2006, the Pack had Denver, Colorado, natives Aaron King and John Queeley both selected in the MLS draft, Haddon Kirk was picked by Utah in 2007, and El Hadj Cisse was drafted by Chivas USA in 2008.
Sanchez recently signed with the Real Maryland Monarchs from the USL Second Division, based in Rockville, Md. Sanchez was a four-year starter with the Pack, finishing his career with 25 goals and 28 assists. He was an All-ACC first-team selection this past season.
The Monarchs are off to a 1-0-1 start to the season, and Sanchez has started both contests at forward. Last season, the Monarchs advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing in fifth place in the regular season.
“It has been so exciting to go through this whole process, and to get the chance to start my professional career,” said Sanchez. “Right now I am just going to take advantage of this opportunity I have. Just a few weeks in I can already see the differences from playing in college, where this is a real job where you do nothing but concentrate on soccer. This is a really great time in my life, something that I have worked at for so long”
“NC State was a great stepping stone in getting me to the next level,” said Sanchez. “I got to develop my game and get experience playing in the best conference in the NCAA. I learned a lot about dealing with adversity, and playing at NC State gave me a taste of what it would be like to play at the next level. So many people helped me get to this level; my father, Julio Perdomo, Coach Tarantini and Coach Popik are just a few I owe so much too”
Sanchez will receive his degree from NC State in May in sports management, while Aiyegbusi will continue to work towards his degree in sport management.
For more info on the Kansas City Wizards, click here.
For more info on the Real Maryland Monarchs, click here.
“It is essential for our program to get players to the next level,” said NC State head coach George Tarantini. “Playing in the ACC does nothing but help individual players, and for us to be able to see guys mature both on and off the field during their time at NC State is what running a program is all about.”
Aiyegbusi and Sanchez were keys to the Pack’s success this past season. The Pack played in the ACC Championship game, and then advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. NC State finished the season ranked No. 23 nationally by the NSCAA.
“These two players helped us immensely over the past couple of seasons,” said Tarantini. “Alan is very gifted and creative with the ball. He is a great finisher, and the more experience he gets at the next level the more he will continue to improve. Korede is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached, he just gives you everything he has each time out.”
Aiyegbusi spent the past two seasons with the Pack after transferring from Essex Community College, starting all 41 games at NC State. After the season, he was selected in the second round, 20th selection overall, of the MLS draft by Kansas City.
Kansas City is off to a 2-1-1 start for the season, and currently sits in second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Aiyegbusi made his professional debut in the season opener, as he came off the bench in the Wizard’s 4-0 win over D.C. United.
“It feels great to make in to the MLS,” said Aiyegbusi. “The hard work I put into my time at NC State and then after the season was over, to hear that I got drafted was a dream come true. So many kids worldwide have dreams of playing professionally, and right now I am living my dream.”
“Playing at NC State and in the ACC, I got to go up against some of the top players in all of college soccer everyday in practice and in games. At NC State one of the focal points was to push the ball forward with speed, and that is the same style of play Kansas City expects. My time at NC State has definitely made it for an easier transition to this level.”
“As a rookie, I just have to go out and work hard every day. I have to take advantage of every opportunity given to me, whether that comes in practice or in games.”
The Pack has had a handful of former players drafted into the MLS over recent years. In 2006, the Pack had Denver, Colorado, natives Aaron King and John Queeley both selected in the MLS draft, Haddon Kirk was picked by Utah in 2007, and El Hadj Cisse was drafted by Chivas USA in 2008.
Sanchez recently signed with the Real Maryland Monarchs from the USL Second Division, based in Rockville, Md. Sanchez was a four-year starter with the Pack, finishing his career with 25 goals and 28 assists. He was an All-ACC first-team selection this past season.
The Monarchs are off to a 1-0-1 start to the season, and Sanchez has started both contests at forward. Last season, the Monarchs advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing in fifth place in the regular season.
“It has been so exciting to go through this whole process, and to get the chance to start my professional career,” said Sanchez. “Right now I am just going to take advantage of this opportunity I have. Just a few weeks in I can already see the differences from playing in college, where this is a real job where you do nothing but concentrate on soccer. This is a really great time in my life, something that I have worked at for so long”
“NC State was a great stepping stone in getting me to the next level,” said Sanchez. “I got to develop my game and get experience playing in the best conference in the NCAA. I learned a lot about dealing with adversity, and playing at NC State gave me a taste of what it would be like to play at the next level. So many people helped me get to this level; my father, Julio Perdomo, Coach Tarantini and Coach Popik are just a few I owe so much too”
Sanchez will receive his degree from NC State in May in sports management, while Aiyegbusi will continue to work towards his degree in sport management.
For more info on the Kansas City Wizards, click here.
For more info on the Real Maryland Monarchs, click here.
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