GREENSBORO, N.C. – Theo Collomb was selected by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC with the 72nd overall pick of the Major League Soccer Super Draft 2022 by Adidas Football Tuesday evening.
Collomb is believed to be the first Spartan men's soccer player to be drafted since Scott Jones was picked by Dallas FC in 2007.
"Congratulations to the Vancouver Whitecaps on their selection of Theo," UNC Greensboro head coach
Chris Rich said. "This a great day for Theo and the UNCG soccer program. He is so deserving of this opportunity as he's been one of the best players in college soccer over the last couple seasons. I am proud of him and wish him all the best in Vancouver. All of us at UNCG will be rooting him on."
He will join a Vancouver team that lost in the first round of the MLS playoffs last season. Collomb spent the day watching the draft in his on-campus apartment.
"Man, what a day it was," Collomb said. "Seconds felt like hours. I was just waiting for my name to be called. I lived it with all my family on a call. It was just so good we were hoping and waiting at every pick for my name. I'm so grateful for the opportunity that UNCG gave me."
Collomb was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year and a First Team All-Region selection by the United Soccer Coaches. In addition, Collomb was named to the United Soccer Coaches 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer All-America Second Team. He was also named to the College Soccer News All-America Second Team and TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Third Team.
"Playing with this team was just a pleasure we have some great player here and UNCG is starting to be an elite program and I'm so happy to see that," Collomb said. "I've been surrounded by great people along my journey. I will not be able to thank everyone enough, but with that said nothing is done yet I still have to go there and prove myself during the pre-season. I can feel my dream getting closer but I'll have to go get it."
Collomb was second in the country in goals (15), third in goals per game (.086) and points per game (2.06), fourth in points (35), seventh in shots per game (4.00), 11th in shots on goal per game (1.82), and 49th in game-winning goals (three).
After scoring two goals during a 3-1 win over national champion Clemson on Sept. 21 and notching his first career hat-trick, he was named the College Soccer News, TopDrawerSoccer.com, and United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week (Sept. 28-30).
Collomb was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 27 and SoCon Player of the Month for September.
UNCG was nationally ranked in 13 of the 20 final national statistical categories.
The Spartans led the country in corner kicks per game (8.00), goal differential (38), points per game (8.39), scoring offense (2.89).
UNCG was second in the country in shots per game (17.00) and shots on goal per game (7.50). UNCG's total of 52 goals was third nationally. The Spartans were leading the country in that category at the end of the regular season. With 10 shutouts, including one against Virginia on the road, the Spartans were fourth nationally in shutout percentage (.556).
They were sixth in assists per game (2.61) and points (151). UNCG was 10th in total assists (47), 12th in team goals against average (.755) and 15th in win-loss percentage (.750). Overall, UNCG was ranked in the top 15 nationally in 13 of the 20 major NCAA statistical categories.
"UNCG helped me in developing myself as a player," Collomb said. "I could never be thankful enough for the opportunity they gave me here. Out of two seasons and 30 games I scored 23 goals and had eight assists, which is pretty good. That proved my hard work paid off. I am ready to see what's next for me and excited for the opportunity."
