SCHEER KICKING OFF PRO SOCCER CAREER

He was a first-round draft pick this past February and, entering his initial season as a professional, Cape Central graduate Craig Scheer is just one step away from the majors -- that is, Major League Soccer.

Scheer, a 1994 graduate of Cape Central, is currently a midfielder with the A-League Hershey (Pa.) Wildcats, the top minor-league affiliate for the MLS Kansas City Wizards. A two-time All-American at the University of Illinois-Springfield, Scheer is looking forward to putting the books aside and concentrating on his outdoor soccer career full-time.

"Soccer's always been fun, but in college we had guys that were wanting to be veterinarians or businessmen," Scheer said. "It's a lot nicer now dealing with guys that are into (soccer) all the time.

Scheer's been "into" soccer for as far back as he can remember, playing club ball in St. Louis long before he was a teenager. At Cape Central, Scheer established records for goals in a season (26) and career (51), marks which still stand.

"I'm not surprised that I've gotten here because it's something I've worked for; but I'm still looking to reach another level," said Scheer. "I'm still looking to play MLS or do something overseas. This isn't my plateau."

Scheer's college coach, Aydin Gonulsen, agrees. Gonulsen, who called Scheer "one of the best players he's coached" in 21 years at Illinois-Springfield, has no doubts about his former pupil's future.

"I'm predicting after a year of experience at (A-League), Craig's going to move up to the next level, which is the highest level (MLS)," said Gonulsen. "He's an outstanding talent; perhaps the best American player we've had here."

Gonulsen likens Scheer's play to that of a European soccer player, where the sport is fanatically worshiped much like football or baseball in the U.S. Gonulsen explained that while several American soccer players are just as fast, strong and athletic as international players, Americans tend to lack certain soccer skills.

"What makes Craig different from the other players is he has the touch of an international soccer player," Gonulsen said. "He's developed a touch where he can do anything he wants with the ball. He is a technically sound player."

Which is something Scheer has been working on since he started playing soccer as a young boy. Scheer's attitude, as much as his soccer skills, have gotten him to this point in his career.

"Craig has an undying love and passion for the game and a commitment for the game," said Gonulsen. "He really developed himself by working on the fundamentals of the game."

After an impressive showing in late January at the Umbro Select Senior Bowl in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Scheer had several professional clubs showing interest in him. Hershey had planned on selecting Scheer in the first round of the A-League draft, a secondary draft following the MLS draft, but the New Orleans Storm picked Scheer ahead of the Wildcats.

"Hershey's coach (Bob Lilley) really liked what he saw and told Craig he was going to draft him," Gonulsen said. "Unfortunately by the time his turn came, Craig was already drafted by the Storm."

That didn't matter to Scheer. With his sights set on playing in Hershey, Scheer held out and after three weeks became a free agent. He soon signed a six-month deal with Hershey and the Wildcats got their man after all.

"I heard (Hershey) was a better organization," said Scheer, who also got a better contract. "They're more established and had just come off a really good year."

The Wildcats finished with the second-best record in the league last year. Hershey is also near Harrisburg (Pa.) were Scheer's former junior college coach Bill Becher plays professionally for the Harrisburg Heat of the NPSL -- soccer's indoor league. The proximity of Becher was another key factor in Scheer coming to Hershey.

"It's kind of cool having (Becher) around because he can kind of show me the ropes, where as down in New Orleans, I wouldn't know anybody," Scheer said.

With Scheer starting over half of Hershey's five games through Saturday, the Wildcats have gotten off to a 4-1 start.