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Brennan Named to Umbro Select All-Star Classic Roster
Defender looks to continue career professionally, training with D.C. United

Jan. 28, 2002

WASHINGTON - On the heels of an outstanding career as a member of the American University men’s soccer program, senior defender Bobby Brennan (Northport, N.Y./Northport) is attempting to make the jump to the next level of his sport.

Brennan, long considered a professional prospect, recently returned from a four-day mini-camp with the Dallas Burn, and has been training with D.C. United. Most notably, though, he was named to the roster of the Umbro Select All-Star Soccer Classic, to be held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Feb. 9 Brennan will compete for the North squad.

“The recognition that Bobby has received over his five years with our program has been outstanding,” said head coach Todd West. “He has been a rock as a central defender for us, and his selection to the Senior Bowl as one of the top 30 seniors in the nation is a great thrill for Bobby, our soccer program, and American University.”

The seventh-annual all-star event, held this year at Lockhart Stadium, former home of the Major League Soccer’s Miami Fusion, features the country’s top men and women amateur players. The Umbro Select rosters are comprised of the top-college seniors in the country, who will be trying to impress the scouts of Major League Soccer leading up to its draft (Feb. 10-11).

Brennan, named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas All-South Region Second Team this season, was an integral part of American’s defense which boasted 10 shutouts, and allowed just 1.11 goals per game. Tightening its play down the stretch, American allowed just three goals in its last 850 minutes of action.

In addition to his recognition by the NSCAA, Brennan was also named to the Patriot League First Team and was chosen the Patriot League Tournament MVP after leading the Eagles to the league title.

Earning a berth in the 2001 Men’s College Cup Sweet 16, American finally feel to eventual National Champion North Carolina, 1-0, in overtime. The Eagles advanced to the Sweet 16 with consecutive wins over Ohio State (2-1), and Wake Forest (3-0), in the first two rounds.

This was American’s third trip all-time to the Sweet 16, and first since 1997. The Eagles own a 9-6 record in the NCAA Tournament, and advanced to the 1985 National Championship game where it fell to UCLA, 1-0, in an NCAA-record eight overtimes. The 2001 Patriot League champions, American went 13-7-2 overall in 2001, and 6-1-0 in league play.

American University became a full member of the Patriot League on July 1, 2001, after competing in the CAA since the 1985-86 academic year. The University, founded in 1893, fields a 19-sport Division I athletics program, featuring 10 women’s sports and nine for men.