UIC All-American
Jesus Perez was selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft today by New York City Football Club. He was the 22
nd overall pick.
Perez capped his spectacular Flames career by being named to the United Soccer Coaches All-American Second Team. He was named Horizon League Player of the Year for the second straight season, and was a First Team All-Region player for the second time too.
"This is honestly mind-blowing," Perez said. "I've worked really hard to get this and for it to actually be here is just insane. I'm extremely excited and can't thank UIC enough for getting me to where I am now. Without that program and coaches I wouldn't be here in this position. I've been talking about getting here and wanting to do this my whole life and it's finally here.
"In the end there's no pressure. I just want to have fun on the field and do what I've been doing for a long time!"
"This is a deserved moment for Chino,"
Sean Phillips added. "His dedication to pursuing a professional soccer career has been life-long. UIC Men's Soccer is very proud of his growth on and off the field in his time with us. We look forward to watching him take advantage of this opportunity with NYCFC, one of the premier clubs in MLS."
Perez led the Horizon League in assists a year after leading the NCAA in that category. He had a point in all but four matches, totaling a career high 20. Capable of setting up his teammates or creating chances of his own, Perez was in the nation's top 20 in shots and shots on goal per game. The three-time All-Horizon League First Team selection led UIC to three straight conference titles (two tournament and one regular season) and two NCAA tournament appearances.
NYCFC Sporting Director David Lee said, ""It's a really exciting time for the players during the SuperDraft to be selected by professional clubs and we're pleased that Jesus was available with our first round pick. He's had a successful college career at UIC and we're looking forward to welcoming him into preseason in Orlando next week."
Perez is UIC's fourth player taken in the SuperDraft. Andrew Putna was selected in the third round of the 2017 draft by Real Salt Lake. Baggio Husidic was a second round pick of the Chicago Fire in 2009. Eric Lukin was a third round pick in 2001, selected by the Colorado Rapids. Perez is the second UIC athlete to be drafted in his sport's first round, and the first since Sherrell Ford was taken 26
th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1995 NBA Draft.
Perez leaves UIC in second place on the program's assist table. He ended his career just five assists away from the top spot, having played just three years with the Flames. His 12 assists in 2018 represent the second-best single season total in program history. He was a team captain his junior and senior seasons. He led the Horizon League in assists in each of his three seasons in the conference.
NYCFC is the defending Eastern Conference regular season champion. They qualified for the Concacaf Champions League, and will face Costa Rican club AD San Carlos in the Round of 16 starting February 20. The MLS season begins March 1.
