SMU’s Ben Shuleva dribbles in the midfiled during the 2007 season. (John Schreiber)
SMU senior Ben Shuleva was drafted by FC Dallas in the third round of Major League Soccer’s supplemental draft.
The MLS Combine allows soccer players from around the country to showcase their talent on an even playing field. Athletes from high school and college get a chance to show everything they have in front of the 13 MLS teams looking for the next impact player or late-round steal in the draft.
SMU’s Ben Shuleva was one of three Mustangs invited to the combine. While playing in a scrimmage during the combine, Shuleva tore his ACL for the second time in just over a year.
During the second round of the 2006 College Cup between SMU and the UC-Santa Barbara, Shuleva tore the ACL in his left knee. He was able to rehabilitate the knee and participate in the 2007 soccer season. This time around, he tore the ACL in his right knee and will have surgery next week to repair the torn ligaments.
In spite of the injury to his knee, Ben Shuleva was chosen in the third round (36th overall) of the MLS Supplemental Draft by FC Dallas. He became the second SMU men’s soccer player, along with defender Adrian Chevannes, drafted by the MLS in 2008.
FC Dallas drafted former SMU player Chase Wileman in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. Wileman spent the year on the developmental squad trying to play his way onto the active roster.
Shuleva was excited about being taken in the draft, even though he has not made a decision on whether he should play or enter the corporate world. “The fact that I got drafted is awesome. It is an honor in spite of my injury,” said Shuleva.
After playing two years for St. Johns, Shuleva transferred to SMU to play for the Mustangs’ head coach Schellas Hyndman. Shuleva credits Hyndman with much of his success. “Schellas and the other coaches are extremely disciplined, and that really rubbed off on me,” Shuleva explained.
On top of the toughness that coach Hyndman preaches, which Shuleva believes is one of his better characteristics, Hyndman also strives for his players to acquire technical skills. These are the skills that help SMU players stand out amid great competition in the MLS combines.
A Difficult Decision
What makes Shuleva’s decision on whether or not to play in the MLS difficult is his additional job offer. “I have a great job offer in finance and I am going to take this [process] one step at a time,” commented Shuleva.
Drafted players’ indecisiveness about playing in the MLS is a growing concern for the league because of the salaries that are offered to young players. While players at the top can make seven figures per year, new players not drafted in the first round are hardly even offered a living wage.
In 2007, SMU’s Jay Needham was selected in the third round by D.C. United. Instead of going to play in the MLS, Needham elected to go to Puerto Rico where he could earn more money and play significant minutes.
Despite any lack of parity in MLS salaries, let alone developmental roster salaries, Shuleva is not rushing his decision. “I never want to close any doors,” said Shuleva. “I want to wait and see how my knee responds to the surgery and rehabilitation.”
Whatever Shuleva decides to do in the future, there is little doubt that he will succeed. He is one of the brighter student-athletes in the NCAA as indicated by his numerous academic awards. All Shuleva has to do is wait and see how his other knee responds to yet another surgery.
