For many on Thursday, the 2016 MLS SuperDraft was an entry into a new life as a professional soccer player greeted with applause and speeches and a handshake from MLS Commissioner Don Garber. For others, like Real Salt Lake second round pick Max Lachowecki, the experience was something much different.
The Evansville, Indiana, native was in his driveway shooting hoops when his mother burst open the garage door shouting that he had been picked by Real Salt Lake. Soon after, he got phone calls from his agent and RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar, confirming the news and welcoming him to the team.
“I was too nervous,” he laughed after the news had set in. “I didn’t know what to think, but then my phone started blowing up.”
A National Champion with Notre Dame in 2013, RSL’s newest left back is no slouch on the basketball court, either. His team made it to the Elite Eight of the Notre Dame Bookstore Basketball Tournament three years in a row. Comprised of students from Notre Dame, St. Mary’s and Holy Cross, it touts itself as the largest outdoor 5-on-5 tournament in the world and Lachowecki takes pride in his accomplishment.
And while his game on the court is all about fast break scoring, on the pitch he’s a bit more dedicated more to the defensive side of the ball. However, he’s not averse to getting involved in the attack, as evidenced by his three goals and five assists in 22 matches in 2015 for the Irish.
“I like to get forward in the attack and try score goals and I’ve really been working on my service to make sure that my crossing is good,” he said. “I’m more of a passer for sure. But primarily I am a defender and I take a lot of pride in one-on-one defending and working with the back line as a whole.”
Lachowecki spent his freshman season training alongside current RSL defender Aaron Maund, then a senior at Notre Dame. During the 2013 season, he had three goals and two assists in helping Notre Dame win the NCAA title, the first in the storied coaching career of Bobby Clark. Lofty expectations followed, and while Notre Dame was only able to make the Sweet 16 in 2014 and 2015, it made the championship run all the more memorable for Lachowecki and his teammates.
“It was a long journey and you learn that anybody can step up at any different time. Then the last two years we learned how difficult it is,” he said. “It’s an incredibly difficult task to win a national championship, so looking back on it, it’s an awesome experience.”
Lachowecki and RSL opens training camp on Friday as the club readies for the 2016 season, kicking off with the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal Round against Tigres in Mexico on February 24.
