SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has acquired former NCAA All-American forward Billy Schuler through a weighted lottery conducted Tuesday morning.
The Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake were the two teams vying for Schuler’s services. San Jose had a 95.7 percent chance of winning the lottery based on their performance over the club’s last 34 regular season matches.
Schuler, 23, helped lead North Carolina to a national championship in 2011. He scored 16 goals and had five assists during the campaign and was named an NSCAA First Team All-American. Schuler tallied twice during the Tar Heels’ title run, a game winner against Indiana in the third round and an 85th-minute equalizer against UCLA in the College Cup Semifinals. He totaled 71 appearances, 29 goals and 15 assists during his three seasons with North Carolina and earned third-team NSCAA All-American honors in 2009 as well as NSCAA Freshman All-American recognition in 2008.
Following his collegiate career, Schuler signed with Hammarby IF of Sweden under current Columbus Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter. He scored two goals in 26 appearances during his two seasons abroad and also spent time on loan with Nacka FF, Hammarby’s developmental team.
Schuler has youth national team experience, suiting up for the United States in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea.
San Jose has now won three weighted lotteries since 2011. The Earthquakes landed David Bingham with an 8.8 percent chance on Jan. 26, 2011 and then grabbed Marcus Tracy with 4.6 percent odds on Sept. 11, 2012.
The Earthquakes hold the No. 9 overall pick in Thursday’s 2014 MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia. San Jose also holds their natural second-round selection at No. 28 overall. ESPN News and MLSsoccer.com will carry live coverage from the event starting at 9 a.m. PT.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)– San Jose Earthquakes acquire F Billy Schuler through weighted lottery.
