Sporting KC inks both first round picks

By Sean McCaffery, February 19, 2018

Net minder, 23 year old Erik DIck and defender, 22 year old Graham Smith have been locked in with 1 year deals and 3 year options. Peter Vermes the HC of SKC has seen them make good impressions during this preseason. Erik has the attributes in a GK they desire as Graham lends depth to the back line as he looks forward to working them into the team. The backstop is energized as he embarks on his pro career in KC linking up with Long Islander and starter Mellia and he hopes to reward the team for their faith in him. The defender is also pleased to start in KC with all indicationrs showing it to be a top class club leaving him anxious to get the season underway. Erik saw time on Jan. 27,  a 2-0 win over the Rapids and Graham has seen time in each game. The keeper, out of Butler in Indianapolis was the 13th pick overall and a 4 year starter, last year getting the nod as the 2017 Big East GK and first team All-American with his career of 28 shutouts and a paltry .96 GAA over the 71 starts. The back played at both Oregon St. & Univ. of Denver, starting all 80 appearance at the top of the NCAA divisons, teaming with new SKC and former NYCFC player Khiry Shelton as a freshman. There he played 38 games with 3 goals. Onto Denver they achived the College Cup for their inagural time, playing both holding mid and center back as the defense had a miniscule .52 GAA in '16 & .71 in '17. HIs senior year saw him achive a 2nd team All-American West selection.

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