Mundelein's Campbell delighted with MLS draft
Mundelein graduate Charlie Campbell is on the verge of realizing a dream of playing professional soccer.
Campbell was selected by FC Dallas in the second round of the Major League Soccer Super Draft last week.
A versatile 5-foot-10 midfielder, Campbell recently started in the NCAA Division I men's national soccer championship game for the University of Louisville and coach Ken Lolla. Louisville lost to Akron 1-0.
“I can't put into words how I feel right now,” Campbell said in a news release on Louisville's website, following the draft. “It has been my dream since I was 4 years old to play professional soccer and (last week) that dream became a reality. When I first spoke to Ken about coming to Louisville, I told him I wanted to win a national championship and play in the MLS. Although we came up one game short of achieving the first goal, I can't thank Ken, the rest of the men's soccer staff and the University of Louisville athletic department enough for their time, effort, and support to prepare me to achieve this goal.
“Also, I would like to thank my teammates,” Campbell continued. “This is truly a team accomplishment and without their hard work I wouldn't be in this situation right now. Most importantly, I want to thank my mother, Alese, father, Terry, and brother, Scott, for everything over the last 23 years. The entire family has been on this journey and I'm so grateful for the sacrifices they endured in their lives to help me realize my dream.”
Campbell played for Virginia Tech for three years, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He is currently working on his master's degree at Louisville. He started 20 games for the Cardinals this past season, totaling 6 goals and 2 assists.
At Virginia Tech, Campbell started in all 19 games in 2009 and finished the season tied for the team lead with 3 goals and 4 assists. He scored the game-winning goal against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also was named the Middleton Sports & Fitness Invitational MVP after helping the Hokies win the tournament and finished the 2009 season with two game-winning goals.
Campbell was named to All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic team for three straight seasons. He saw action in just four games in 2008 and earned a medical redshirt. He started in 16 games during the 2007 season, finishing the season with 4 goals and 5 assists.
In high school, Campbell played varsity soccer his freshman year and was named all-area by the Daily Herald. He then played on the Sockers FC Top Talent team his remaining three years. He was captain of the Illinois ODP '88 tea and helped lead the Sockers FC to the CASL Elite Group A championship and also the Region 2 championship and the Italy Cup championship. He then helped guide the team to the semifinals of the Dallas Cup.