Victoria Highlanders central defender Callum Montgomery continued his comeback from a frightening injury by being named Tuesday among the top-50 professional prospects out of the United Soccer League Premier Development League.
Last year鈥檚 Highlanders season remains just a rumour for Montgomery, with the two titanium plates in the upper cheek the reward for a cleat to the head that left him prone on the field near his own goal.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 remember much,鈥� he said of the incident, which resulted in a tripod fracture, ending his season after just the fourth game.
The Nanaimo product, who graduated from St. Michaels University School, rebounded this past NCAA Div. 1 season as Montgomery was named first team all-conference with North Carolina-Charlotte. He has now been one of the best Highlanders in an otherwise disappointing 0-3 start to the 2018 PDL season.
鈥淚 still stick my head back in [to the action],鈥� said the six-foot-two back-line talent, who can not only defend, but also start attacks with his outlet passes.
An athlete鈥檚 body is only in pro-prime once. Biology-major Montgomery, a star in the classroom well as on the pitch, said his dream of a medical career is on the back-burner until his other dream of a pro soccer career is realized or exhausted.
Tate Schmitt, an NCAA Louisville Cardinals ace playing a third season for FC Tucson in the PDL, and Wake Forest star Brad Dunwell, playing in the PDL for his home-state Michigan Bucks, are listed as the two top pro prospects out of the PDL this season.
Nearly 70 per cent of MLS draft picks since 2010 have PDL experience. There are more than 220 players who have played in the PDL on 2018 MLS rosters. Those players, however, are listed as having been drafted from their NCAA collegiate teams.
鈥淎s we enter the 24th PDL season, we鈥檙e proud to highlight another class of incredible athletes competing this summer in our league,鈥� said PDL co-director of scouting, Chris Madden, in a statement.
