When former Matador defender Chad Borak took the field last week at the 2010 Adidas Player Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to compete against some of the best college soccer players in the nation, Borak showed no fear.
“I was just as good, or even better than the other players,” said Borak in a phone interview.
Thanks in part to the solid showing at the combine, and his CSUN career, where Borak was named to the All- Big West Conference Honorable Mention in 2008 as a junior, and named to the All- Big West First Team this past season, Borak was selected by the Colorado Rapids with the 40th overall pick in the third round of the 2010 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
Borak was at home in Northridge with his family and friends watching the draft.
“Colorado called me right before they announced my name on TV,” said Borak. “After the phone call, and then hearing my name on TV, it finally hit me that I was in the MLS. Making it to the MLS was the dream of my whole life.”
After playing four years of soccer at Highland High School in Palmdale, where Borak earned All-Golden League honors in his final three seasons, he joined Northridge in 2005. Borak’s 2007 season lasted only two matches as his season was cut short by a ankle injury that required surgery. The defender was granted a medical redshirt for the season.
“I was definitely worried about the surgery,” said Borak. “You never know about surgery, but everything panned out.”
After recovering from the surgery, Borak got the opportunity to train and play against the Los Angeles Galaxy first team. While competing against them, he realized that he could make it to the MLS.
“I just knew I could hang with them,” said Borak. “There was no doubt in my mind.”
Borak is the second Matador in three years to go from CSUN to the MLS joining former teammate, and 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year, Sean Franklin of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
“We talk all the time,” said Borak of Franklin. “We went to the same high school. I think he is someone who I can ask for advice as far as the MLS.”
After an emotional week, Borak now has to get ready for life in the MLS. Borak has already spoken with Colorado head coach Gary Smith and Colorado’s training camp begins on January 25th.
Draft Notes: Danny Mwanga was drafted No. 1 overall by Philadelphia Union. Andre Akpan and Ross LaBauex were drafted by Colorado ahead of Borak.
