Bucknell University Athletics
Chris Thorsheim Signs with New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer
12/23/2015 1:43:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell senior soccer star Chris Thorsheim received a memorable holiday present this week, a contract with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.
Thorsheim, a Manalapan, New Jersey native and a four-time All-Patriot League selection as a central midfielder at Bucknell, has also played several seasons in the Red Bulls academy system. On Wednesday the Red Bulls announced the signing of Thorsheim and two other academy products, Maryland's Mael Corboz and Virginia's Scott Thomsen, to Homegrown Player contracts. Thorsheim and Thomsen were also high school teammates at Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey.
“It has always been a dream of mine to get the chance to play professionally in the United States, and in MLS for the New York Red Bulls,” said Thorsheim. “I have followed the Red Bulls for a long time, and I was fortunate to have the chance to come up through their academy system. I am thankful that they have given me the opportunity to continue to progress as a player. I can't wait to do great things for the club.”
“For those who have watched our team play for the past four years, it is very easy to tell that Chris Thorsheim is a special player,” said Bucknell head coach Brendan Nash. “Now it is time for him to take on the challenge of playing at the professional level. Based on his work rate and character, I have no doubt that he will succeed.”
Next month Thorsheim will head to training camp with the Red Bulls in Florida, where he will attempt to become the second Bucknell player to suit up in an MLS match. Mike Lookingland '05 was selected by Real Salt Lake with the 13th pick in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft. Lookingland played briefly with Real Salt Lake before embarking on a long and successful professional indoor soccer career.
Thorsheim's signing also gives Bucknell three active professional soccer players, as he joins former Bison All-Americans Mayowa Alli '14 and Conor O'Brien '10. Alli plays for Thisted FC in the Faroe Islands, while O'Brien is with AC Horsens in Denmark. Thorsheim succeeded O'Brien as Bucknell's No. 8. Both center midfielders led the Bison to Patriot League championships, and now both will be in the pro ranks.
“Having admired Michael Lookingland's career for so long, and now having three active professionals again says a lot about our program,” said Nash. “A student-athlete can come to Bucknell and get a world-class education, and at the same time he can work toward realizing his professional soccer aspirations.”
In each of the last two summers Thorsheim played for the powerful Red Bulls U-23 team. In 2014 the squad went unbeaten and captured the NPSL national championship. Thorsheim rejoined the U-23 squad again last summer, and he scored four goals with the club in each of his two U-23 campaigns. He also played for the Red Bulls U-18s prior to coming to Bucknell.
Thorsheim recently concluded a terrific four-year career at Bucknell. He is one of only nine four-time All-Patriot League players in league history – and the only one from Bucknell. Thorsheim is also a three-time NSCAA All-Region selection, and he was recently named to the 2015 ECAC Division I All-Star Team.
Prior to the 2015 season he was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list, and then he went out and led the team in scoring with 22 points on eight goals and six assists. Thorsheim finished the year ranked fourth in the Patriot League in points and fifth in both goals and assists. In 80 career matches he posted 58 points on 20 goals and 18 assists. He ranks ninth on Bucknell's all-time assists chart.
Thorsheim also received plaudits for his work in the classroom. An accounting and financial management major, Thorsheim was a 2014 NSCAA Scholar All-American, and this fall he was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and the Patriot League All-Academic Team.
“I am so fortunate to have had great coaches both with the Red Bulls and at Bucknell,” said Thorsheim. “Coach Nash and Coach [Pat] Long at Bucknell really helped me progress as a player, and they helped pave the way for this great opportunity.”
"We are very excited to be able to add Mael, Scott and Chris,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Ali Curtis in a release. “Today is a special moment for these young men as well as for the club. Each player's development is a testament to their hard work, commitment of their families, the coaching they have received during their careers and the quality of our youth development system.”
The MLS Homegrown Player rule allows clubs to sign players from their youth development system to their first professional contract, without the player being subjected to the MLS SuperDraft. The Red Bulls have demonstrated a commitment to developing Homegrown Players. The team now has 11 Homegrown Players on its roster, five more than any other MLS club.
