Philadelphia Union secure draft pick Aidan Apodaca with Steel FC contract

FIRST ATHLETE FROM CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TO BE DRAFTED TO MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Bethlehem Steel FC announced the signing of record-setting goal scorer Aidan Apodaca out of Division II California Baptist University. Apodaca impressed Steel FC coaches since he first arrived at training camp back in late January.

Apodaca was Philadelphia Union’s third round selection in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. They have secured the first of three picks from this year’s draft. Midfielder Mike Catalano and defender Matt Danilack continue to train in hopes of signing a professional contract with the MLS club’s USL affiliate, Steel FC.

Draft day

The draft started at 11AM for the California native. He was watching via live-stream. One moment, Apodaca decided to check a couple of other open tabs on his browser causing him to miss his name being selected 55^th overall. He received a text from his brother in a family group message saying “Congratulations!”

Coe Michaelson, CBU Head soccer coach, managed to sneak a few peaks at his cell phone while he was at church with his wife on draft day. Michaelson managed to dodged smacks from his wife to monitor where his former striker will land.

“I got a text from Aidan,” said Michaelson “I had a hard time focusing on what was being said for the rest of that time,” joked Michaelson. After receiving Apodaca’s text regarding the news, he quickly shot a few messages out to people hoping not to disturb those around him.

Record setter

Apodaca’s senior year became a record-setting season for the goal scoring forward. Throughout 2017, Apodaca averaged nearly two goals a match for CBU. He finished his senior season with 29 goals.

29 is the most in CBU’s history, the PacWest’s history, and the most scored by a single player in all of NCAA (Divisions I, II and III) in 2017. He now owns all three scoring records at CBU after setting a new single-game record with five goals in a 5-0 victory over Northwest Nazarene and a new career record with 48 goals over his four years.

Single-season records for points (62), shots (111), multi-goal games (eight), consecutive games with a goal (nine), consecutive games with a point (nine) and hat tricks (three) all belong to Apodaca. His name is all over the CBU record books.

Training camp

Apodaca has been with Steel FC since they began the preseason January 22^nd. All three draft picks train a bit with the first team, Union, before they left for training in Clearwater, FL.

Apodaca’s drive for goals caught the eye of Steel FC Head coach Brendan Burke immediately. February 10^th, Apodaca was able to showcase his skills in a preseason friendly against FC Motown. He scored a late goal which almost propelled another goal to tie the affair before losing 4-3. After the game Burke made sure to note his play, especially lamenting Apodaca’s high offensive work rate.

Consistency throughout the remaining training sessions proved to Steel FC staff that Apodaca was worthy of a contract offer.

Inked

Burke seems pleased to welcome the draft pick to the team.

“I’m very excited to have Aidan joining the group this year,” Burke said. “He was drafted for his prolific scoring in college and you can see some of his tools when he steps on the pitch. He has a getaway pace and intensity that he plays has been really impressive in preseason training and I expect him to push everyone on the team.”

Apodaca also sounds thrilled to begin his new career.

““It’s pure excitement because I’ve been playing this game for almost 15 years so being able to get that first contact doing what I love is amazing,” Apodaca said. “Joining Bethlehem Steel FC is the first step and given the transition from the college game into a professional environment, I think coming to Steel FC will be very beneficial. The ultimate goal is to progress through the organization toward the Philadelphia Union that drafted me.”

Dangerous attacking options for Steel FC

Steel FC quietly assembled quite a dangerous group of offensive weapons heading into 2018. Last season, Bethlehem finished mid-league in terms of goals scored with 46. Considering USL’s top three teams all had 60+ goals, the thought of an improved attack for Steel FC in 2018 is a welcomed one indeed.

Cory Burke and his ability to score for Steel FC in 2017 earned him a promotion to the MLS with Philadelphia. In his wake left a thin attacking group.

Bethlehem addressed those needs by bringing in the 2016 USL Rookie of the Year Brandon Allen. Allen’s goal scoring ways earned him some MLS minutes and he now seeks to continue his successes with the Philadelphia Union organization.

In addition to Allen, Steel FC have now added depth and youth at the position. Apodaca should prove to be a positive impact player for the team as he hopes to jumpstart his professional career.