Kyle Venter

SCOUTS SAY: "Strong, physical center back with good intangibles … Unbelievable leader who makes his team go both on and off the field … Has a mean streak when he gets on the field … He can distribute pretty well with some range from the back … He's good in the air and good when the ball's in front of him, but it's balls over the top and through-balls that he struggles on … Watching him at the College Cup, I felt bad because he didn't do a thing right; I've never seen him play like that. But he had an ankle injury he was dealing with late in the season … He's smart and reads the game well, but he's slow and teams had some success getting by him."

COLLEGE: Standout career at New Mexico, becoming the program's first three-time all-America selection … 2013: One of 10 college soccer players named to the Senior CLASS Award team recognizing achievement on and off the field … A MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and second team all-America selection while leading New Mexico to the College Cup semifinals … First team all-Midwest region, Conference USA MVP and Defender of the Year … Became school record-holder in minutes played … 2012: Third team all-America, first team all-region, first team all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation …Only New Mexico player to start all 22 games … 2011: Second team all-America, first team all-Far West region, first team all-MPSF … Led team in minutes and scored five goals … 2010: Made 19 starts in his first collegiate season … 2009: Redshirted.

AMATEUR: Played in Premier Development League with Real Colorado Foxes in 2012, making 11 appearances …

PREP: Three-year starter at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colo. … Played on two state championship teams and was a team captain his junior and senior seasons … Team MVP, first team all-city as a senior in 2008 … Honorable mention all-state in 2007.

CLUB: Played for Real Colorado and captained his team in U.S. Soccer Development Academy league play … Led team to fourth-place finish at U-16 Nationals … Selected to U-16 West Conference Starting XI … Finished in fourth place at U-18 Nationals.

PERSONAL: Parents are Jay and Tracy Venter... NSCAA Scholar All-America selection while majoring in business administration.

LINKS:

New Mexico official player page