Lochhead gets US nod but Europe beckons

Star defender Tony Lochhead has followed All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen into the United States' top professional league after being drafted this week by Boston side New England Revolution.
But Lochhead's move from college soccer into the MLS Cup is up in the air, with the former Tauranga City United player preparing to leave next week for a month of trials in Europe.
Lochhead, who plays alongside Nelsen in the All Whites' defence, arrived in the United States four years ago to play college soccer for the University of California Santa Barbara.
He was picked up by the New England Revolution in the MLS amateur draft, although the All-American defender is hedging his bets and is chasing a professional contract in Europe.
Lochhead, who turned 23 just a day after the draft, said from Santa Barbara this week he was surprised to be picked in the draft at all after refusing to sign a four-year deal with the MLS.
Signing with the United States-based league would have precluded any subsequent openings in Europe.
"It's a slightly weird and interesting position I'm in - over here the MLS is different from the rest of the leagues around the world in that they own the rights to players for four years.
"I didn't sign with the league before the draft because I'm heading to trials in Europe, where there's potentially more money and greater rights as a player."
DC United - Nelsen's former team and the MLC Cup champions - San Hosea and Los Angeles Galaxy were keen on Lochhead in the early rounds of the draft, with Revolution also targeting Lochhead as a first-round pick.
But the All Whites left back's decision not to sign an MLS contract scared some teams away.
"I was pretty surprised to be drafted at all, considering I didn't sign - New England have taken a bit of a gamble because potentially I might not even play for them.
"It's a pretty good situation for me because if nothing works out in Europe then I have Boston to come back to. My agent sees Europe as the better option, where soccer's a bigger game and the shop window is far bigger."
"I'm not too worried where I end up as long as I get a good opportunity. I'll see if anything comes of Europe but if not I'll come back here and play. Who knows? It's all up in the air."
Lochhead missed just five matches in a four-year college career, all because of suspension or national team duty, and will trial in Norway, Belgium and Denmark, with England also a potential stopover.
Revolution, which qualified for the MLS playoffs, would provide him with an ideal fallback plan. "I wouldn't mind going to Boston - it's an awesome place to play and they've got some great coaches."
Lochhead was an All-American defender (the top 11 players picked from 200 college teams) after his Santa Barbara Gauchos side made the NCAA division I final, losing 3-2 on penalties to Indiana.
He was defender of the year for the Big West conference and won all-conference honours for the third consecutive year.
Lochhead was drafted by New England after the MLS Combine at LA's Home Depot Center - a four-day showcase of the top 66 college players in the United States.
Players were split into four squads and played three games over four days in front of hundreds of coaches, player scouts and media.
Lochhead says he didn't shine, struggling with difficult conditions at the Combine, played in torrential rain and strong wind.
"Most of the clubs have already decided who they want before the Combine but there's a lot of last-minute stuff going on and a lot of pressure. I was pretty disappointed with how I went but I don't think anyone came away feeling they'd done well."
Lochhead spent the past four years in one of California's most picturesque cities, about two hours north of Los Angeles, on a campus that has its own beach. The business economics major has a semester to complete before graduating.
"I definitely plan to graduate but I can't see it happening yet with everything that's happening. If I do end up at Boston, Revolution have a pre-season tour to China next month so I'll have to finish my course on-line or by correspondence."
Rookie MLS players earn between $50,000-$100,000, although Lochhead's growing international status could push him higher up the pay scale.
The former Otumoetai College player has also held talks with sportswear company Pony International about an endorsement deal. "Pony are trying to get back into the soccer market and seem pretty keen on signing me, although I'm picking it's as much to do with my Kiwi accent and mop of (blonde curly) hair than anything."