St. John's University Athletics
Kansas City Wizards Select Kitson In 2009 MLS SuperDraft
1/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Jan. 16, 2009
QUEENS, N.Y. - Former St. John's goalkeeper Neal Kitson was selected by the Kansas City Wizards in the 3rd round (42nd overall) in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. The keeper becomes the 12th St. John's player to be selected by the MLS. Kitson was one of five keepers taken in the draft, which had a total of 60 players selected.
Kitson is the second Red Storm keeper to be selected by the MLS, joining Bill Gaudette (2005-Columbus Crew). Kitson is also the second player from St. John's to be selected by Kansas City (2006-Matt Groenwald).
"It's an absolute honor to be selected in the MLS SuperDraft," Kitson said. "The chance to play at the next level means a lot to me and it shows that the coaching staff at St. John's prepares us to play at the highest of levels."
Kitson capped his career at St. John's by setting a new school-record with 15 shutouts and helping lead the Red Storm to the College Cup for the fourth time in program history. Kitson's 0.48 goals against average, the second-best in school history, ranked fifth in the country. The keeper's .888 save percentage also ranked fourth in the country. A third-team All-BIG EAST selection, Kitson was named a Soccer America first team MVP at season's end.
The Kansas City Wizards were one of the league's charter members when the MLS began play as a 10-team league in 1995. In 2000, the Wizards won the MLS Cup and also earned the Supporter's Shield as regular season champions. Kansas City also claimed the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2004.
