PHILADELPHIA – Kingsley Bryce, who just concluded a four-year playing career at Saint Louis University, was selected by the Chicago Fire in the second round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday.
Bryce was the seventh pick in round two and the 28th overall selection. It is the second straight season a Billiken has been selected in the draft as Adnan Gabeljic and Alex Sweetin were taken a season ago. The MLS SuperDraft continues on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Anthony Manning and Raymond Lee are both eligible to be drafted.
Bryce was the Billikens' second leading scorer in 2014, accumulating 16 points on six goals and four assists. For his career, he posted 58 points (23G, 12) and was named second-team All-Conference as a junior. As a sophomore in 2012, Bryce was named Most Outstanding Player of the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship.
“It's exciting for me and everyone associated with the SLU soccer family to see Kingsley get drafted,” SLU Head Coach Mike McGinty said. “I'm proud of him and can't wait to see him play as a professional.”
“Kingsley plays in a position that we wanted to fill,” Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop said. “He's also a versatile player, can play wide right, and is a powerful player who had four good years at Saint Louis.”
Bryce, who as one of the final invitees made a good impression in front of MLS coaches and staff at last week's MLS Combine, was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award. That honor is bestowed on individuals who excel in four areas – community, classroom, character and competition.
A psychology major (biology minor) with aspirations of entering the medical field, Bryce maintains a GPA above 3.5. The Academic All-Conference and All-District selection is also a six-time honoree on the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, which goes to student-athletes who complete a semester with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
Bryce is president of SLU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a group of student-athletes who work with the department of athletics to ensure a positive experience for the more than 350 SLU student-athletes. In addition, Bryce was named the recipient of the Mark Demling Award, which goes to a SLU soccer player who puts the team first and foremost and gives everything he has to the team.
