Howell's LaBrocca finds a home in Colorado

Former Rutgers men's soccer player Nick LaBrocca, a Howell native and Christian Brothers Academy graduate, has signed with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Labrocca was drafted by the team in January and after a solid training camp, during which he saw playing time in several exhibition and preseason matches, made the team's final roster for the upcoming 2007 season.

LaBrocca was drafted as the ninth pick in the third round and the 35th overall pick. The midfielder was one of five players chosen by the Rapids in the draft.

LaBrocca is a midfield addition who will help the Rapids Reserves attempt to repeat as champions while he competes for first team minutes.

He became the fifth RU player in six years to be drafted by a MLS team, joining former RU standouts Chris Karcz, Josh Gros, Guy Abrahamson and Dennis Ludwig.

The Howell native finished his career at Rutgers with 10 goals and eight assists for 28 points and missed just one start in 78 career games. In 2006, he started all 19 of RU's games and scored three goals, including RU's lone goal against No. 24 Rhode Island in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 11.

LaBrocca also took 33 shots during his senior season, the third-highest total on the team.

His play and outstanding leadership for the Scarlet Knights helped the team advance to the semifinals of the Big East tournament and earn an at-large bid into the NCAA championships. LaBrocca was also named to the All-Big East and the NCAA All-Northeast Region's Second Teams.

He also had several stints with national teams over the course of his career. Most recently he was called into a training camp with the U23 National Team for two games in February.

He had previously been a member of the Under-14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 National Teams.