:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44194566/usa-today-7676576.0.jpg)
The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club selected forward Kris Tyrpak with the No. 9 pick in the Chivas USA Dispersal Draft, which included players from the now defunct Chivas USA.
It's early days yet but surely any 22-year-old striker who just signed with the Quakes would be thinking he must be close to one day playing up front with Chris Wondolowski.
What most people do not know about Tyrpak is that the headgear he wears is to protect against concussions, of which he has so far suffered a startling five. It was a concussion brought to an end the career of one of USA’s most promising strikers, Taylor Twellman.
After his fifth concussion a doctor told him that if he was concussed again, he would have to stop playing soccer. The injury gives Tyrpak a different perspective every time he steps on the field.
Tyrpak has said that he steps on the field knowing that if he suffers another concussion, it could be his last game. If you potentially only had one more game to make your mark how hard would you try to make it the best game of your life? This is how Tyrpak is forced to approach each and every game.
There are those who say we should live our lives as if this was our last day, this courageous young man is definitely playing his soccer in the moment. San Jose fans will be wishing him a safe and highly productive career with the Quakes.
Tyrpak scored one goal and has one assist in 9 appearances during his rookie campaign with Chivas USA in 2014. The Texas native was a third-round selection of Chivas USA in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft after making 17 starts in 18 appearances in his senior year with the Houston Baptist University Huskies and finished second for team scoring that year with 5 goals. Tyrpak also took home USL PDL Most Valuable Player honors in 2013 after helping his hometown Austin Aztex to the league title with nine goals and one assist in 14 games.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) - San Jose Earthquakes select F Kris Tyrpak No. 9 overall in Chivas USA Dispersal Draft.
Kris Tyrpak
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 145 lbs.
Born: March 19, 1992 in Austin, Texas
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Last Club: Chivas USA
Citizenship: USA