The 2010 Class 2A Mr. Soccer Eric Miller of Woodbury got a big introduction this week in the Montreal Gazette as the Impact of MLS opened training camp. Miller, who left Creighton University early, was the Impact's first-round draft pick and a big get in the Impact's plans, so much so that Montreal moved up to take the defender.
Here's how team officials summed up Miller:
- "As a staff, we saw a very steady person and player," said Matt Jordan, the Impact's technical director, management having watched the 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect for close to two years. "He's very consistent in his play and approach to the game."
- "Our hope is, if we do our homework, we bring in one or two pieces that will contribute to the success of the team," Jordan explained. "We feel (Miller's) mentality and the qualities he has are a good fit for our club."
As for Miller himself, he said he had trouble before camp opened Monday, saying he was anxious after "the long journey" to join the pro ranks.
Miller also talked to the Gazette about what led him to soccer:
Miller started playing soccer at age 5, taking up the sport after he failed to receive a call from a T-ball team for which his mother had him registered. Had he continued in baseball, Miller's not sure where that path would have taken him. But it probably would have ended up in a dead end, considering he believes the sport's boring.
Miller's been a bit overshadowed at camp as Montreal's Matteo Ferrari came out this week and called for the team to add those new players, saying, "Right now, when I think about last year's team, I think we're a little bit – how can I say – not as good as before."
