Page 25 - Laker Connection Spring 2013

“This is the highest level of play a Laker (in the Major Leagues) has ever made, so we are proud to watch him on television!”
“This is the highest level of play a Laker (in the Major Leagues) has ever made, so we are proud to watch him on television!” says Petersen.
Along with Petersen’s excitement, Klute’s play has also gar- nered the praise of coaches in the professional soccer world, as Eric Wynalda, the interim head coach of the Silverbacks com- pares him to one of the best defenders to play for the U.S. Men’s National Team and in Major League Soccer.
“I think he’s going to continue to impress,” Wynalda says. “When you start comparing him to players, there’s a lot of Eddie Pope in him. But Chris Klute is faster than Eddie Pope. I’m looking forward to his future.
“Chris has tremendous speed,” Wynalda continues. “He’s got great feet for a big guy, very good vision, and an unbelievable engine – he can run for 90 minutes and doesn’t seem to be both- ered. His link-up play is very good, but his strongest attribute is the fact that he doesn’t get beat very often.”
A sophomore from Grand Prairie, Tex., Klute transferred to Clayton State from Division I Furman. He was previously a U- 17 and U-20 U.S. National Team player and showed that ability on the field for the Lakers in 2011.
Klute played every minute of the Lakers’ 18 games at center defender, becoming arguably the top defender in the Peach Belt and one of the best in both the region and the country. He was named to the Daktronics 2011 NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region team.
Peterson adds, “He deserves this and there were many people who have been involved with his coming along besides his mom: his friend Warren Creavalle (and family) who is in the MLS as well, his club coach Ray Tomlin, Doug Allison from Furman, his youth national team coaches, Ricardo Montoya of the Silverbacks reserves and Eric Wynalda and his staff from the Silverbacks senior squad for promoting him.”
Pete Petersen,
Laker Men’s Soccer Head Coach
DREAMS. MADE REAL.
OTHER LAKER PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS
Over the years, a number of former Clayton State men’s soccer players have played professionally both in the United States and abroad. Below is a list of some of those players.
Adrian Drury
Josh Grenier Jamal Geathers Tonny Madegwa Hailab Habtom Chris Mahaffey Macoumba Kandji Mike Gustavson Marijan Babic Igor Lukic
Kyle Timm Janny Rivera Chris Klute
(England) (Germany) (Turkey, USL II) (Germany) (Sweden)
(USL I) (MLS)
(MLS) (Bosnia) (Serbia) (South Africa) (Chile)
(MLS)
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