Nunez available for MLS draft

[PK]

Per DMN:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleges/smu/stories/011304dnsposmumls.b72f1ce.html

<small>[ 01-12-2004, 02:44 PM: Message edited by: PK ]</small>

[FloridaMustang]

More power to him... I just don't understand why kids these days don't value a college degree.

[PK]

I'm sure the temptation to be a professional sports figure with all the things, like money, that go with that is very great...just hope they save lots of that money. At some point they will no longer be able to play the game due to injuries or just age...then what?

[GrapevineMustang]

Good point, PK!

Nuñez has as much talent as any player I've seen in the 20-plus years I've watched SMU soccer. But he needs some discipline in his game, and could benefit greatly from another year or two (or three) with Coach Hyndman. (And kudos to Coach Hyndman for handling this decision -- his second snub by a star freshman in 6 months -- so gracefully.)

[EastStang]

College soccer and professional soccer are much different. College soccer is more physical and dirtier. Players have no compunction about kicking an opponant in the achilles tendon. In professional soccer, they don't do that because they are talented enough not to and secondly, because they know that if they do it, retaliation will follow and it is their livelihood. He was inconsistent because he was pure flair and not very physical. I suspect Nunez will flourish in the pro ranks as other younger players have done. We knew coming in that he was a short termer.

[Pony Up]

Either way, it's still a shame to lose him. Will he flourish right away, or would he be better off staying in school for another year or two and then going pro? Hard to say, but now we'll never know.

[Ikus]

Hey! Let's not forget that SMU's lone senior and captain last year, Kevin Hudson, also was drafted. Hudson was chosen by D.C. United, which means he'll be playing with Freddie Adu. I could think of worse jobs after college....

Good luck to Ramon and Kevin!

[JasonB]

Nunez will most definately develop faster in the pros than in college. Pro soccer is definately a step up from college.

Also, I believe he was signed as a project-40, meaning that MLS is paying his salary and is committed to paying for him finishing his college degree at some point. Who could turn that down?

[EastStang]

Hudson may find himself in the right place at the right time. Marco Etchevery retired which leaves a big mid-field hole for the United. If Hudson can step-up, he has a shot at some decent minutes.

[Fresh]

Not to be negative, but Hudson has to make the team before we start talking about minutes. Granted, I think it's a major mistake on United's part if he doesn't make the team, because with his smarts and his size and strength, there's a definite role for him on that team, which doesn't have a large physical presence. But they also have a lot of young midfielders, and everything is going to be built around Freddy Adu, so how Hudson fares in an offense-first system will be interesting to watch.

[smuathlete]

Sorry guys...but Hudson has already signed a contract with Ernst & Young...he won't be playing soccer...