Monmouth University All-American defender R.J. Allen was selected by Chivas USA in the Major League Soccer (MLS) supplemental draft last week. He is the third Hawk in the last two years to be drafted by an MLS team. This past fall, Allen led the Hawks to another Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship. Monmouth advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last three years.Monmouth University senior All- American R.J. Allen was selected by Chivas USA in the Major League Soccer (MLS) supplemental draft.
Chivas USA, which plays its home matches in the LosAngeles suburb of Carson, selected the Hawks’ defender with the fifth pick in the supplemental draft.
Allen becomes the third Monmouth player to be selected by an MLS team in the last two years, following Bryan Meredith (No. 29, Seattle) and Ryan Kinne (No. 42, New England).
Allen is Chivas USA’s second draft pick this year, following the selection of University of Maryland forward Casey Townsend with the fifth overall pick.
“I’m really excited,” said Allen, a native of Old Bridge who starred at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. “I am looking forward to building relationships with my new teammates. It’s been a long journey and I am looking forward to preseason and to earning my spot on the roster.
“I want to thank (Monmouth) Coach (Robert) McCourt, my club coach and my family for always being there to support me through my youth years and college years. I just want to thank everyone who has gotten me to this point and given me the opportunity to be where I am today,” he said. Allen earned his second straight All- American honor and third straightAll-Region First Team selection in 2011, in addition to a third straightAll-Northeast Conference honor.
The senior defender was instrumental on both ends of the field, compiling 10 points on two goals and six assists while thwarting countless scoring opportunities by the Hawks’ opponents.
Allen’s penalty kick against Mount St. Mary’s helped the Hawks clinch their unprecedented seventh straight NEC regular season championship, while he also made pivotal penalty kicks in shootout victories over Central Connecticut in the NEC Tournament and Stony Brook in the NCAA Tournament.
In the preseason, Allen was named to the Hermann Trophy watch list.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for R.J.,” McCourt said. “It is a very exciting time for him and his family. It will be fun for us to watch his progress as a professional soccer player. R.J. has the talent, work ethic and determination tomake an ideal selection for professional soccer clubs.“
Allen finished his collegiate career with 37 points on seven goals and 23 assists. He scored five game-winning goals and helped the Hawks to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two NCAA secondround matches. Allen helped Monmouth to four straight NEC regular season championships and three straight NEC Tournament championships.