Stevenson grad Antonijevic is drafted by MLS

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Stefan Antonijevic

Updated: February 21, 2012 8:17AM

Former Stevenson High School soccer standout Stefan Antonijevic was drafted this week by the Sporting Kansas City franchise in Major League Soccer.

A defensive player, Antonijevic went from Stevenson to Marquette the same year that Warren star Anthony Colaizzi went there.

Antonijevic, however, transferred after one year to Valparaiso where he played three seasons.

“This is a dream come true, especially for me,” said Antonijevic in a release from Valparaiso athletics. “My life has been about soccer as long as I can remember, and I’ve been working toward the goal of having the chance to play professionally for a long time.

“To be faced with that opportunity truly is a blessing. As a soccer player, you can’t ask for anything better than to go to a well-supported club with a history of success, and Sporting KC is like that. Their fans are passionate about their team, and I can’t wait to see that passion for myself.”

Antonijevic is the first player from Valparaiso to be drafted into the MLS.

This past season, he earned Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“Even though he was a supplemental pick, I think Stefan has a good shot to making Sporting KC’s main roster,” said Avery. “He’s got all the tools to succeed at the next level — not just his size and his athleticism, but the fact that first and foremost he is a very good soccer player.”

Sporting Kansas City, used to be called the Kansas City Wizards.

Sporting Kansas City plays in the same league as the Chicago Fire.

There are two parts to the draft in the MLS.

The first part is called the superfraft, and that’s when all the top players are selected.

The next day, is the supplemental draft in which teams fill out their rosters based on need.

There were four rounds in the supplemental draft. It is possible for a supplemental draft pick to wind up on an MLS team’s active roster on opening day.