UCSB seniors Peter Schmetz and Fifi Baiden were both drafted in the third round of Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Tuesday.
Schmetz, a Dusseldorf, Germany native, was selected with the third overall pick in the third round (41st overall) by Sporting Kansas City. Baiden, a Ghana national, was taken just one pick later by the Columbus Crew.
“Congratulations are definitely in order for Peter and Fifi,” said UCSB head coach Tim Vom Steeg. “These are two players who did things the right way. As a program, we wish them both the best of luck at the next level.”
Despite injuring his hand in the very first game of the season, Schmetz was the lynchpin of a UCSB defense that surrendered just 0.89 goals per game in the 2013 season. The 6-6 center back showed some offensive flair in his senior season as well, scoring three goals, the most of any Gauchos defender. For his strong play, he was recognized with All-Big West First Team and All-Far West Region Second Team honors. College Sports Madness named him the conference Defender of the Year. Schmetz also thrived as a sophomore, earning an All-Big West Honorable Mention.
A 2013 Preseason All-American, Baiden delivered on the hype with a superb senior season that saw him lock down the center of the park as a holding midfielder. His dependable defensive play opened up space and created a safety valve for offensive-minded midfielders like Drew Murphy and Ismaila Jome. Baiden was an All-Big West Selection in both 2012 and 2013 and the only Gaucho to be invited to this year’s MLS Combine. Not just talented on the pitch, Baiden was named to the Big West Academic All-Conference Team in both his junior and senior seasons.
UCSB has now had 27 players drafted into the MLS since the 2004 season. Schmetz is the second Gaucho all-time to be drafted by Kansas City, while Baiden follows in the footsteps of Andy Iro and Ivan Becerra as Gauchos to be drafted by Columbus.
