Tyler Polak

A youthful talent with tremendous upside, Polak was considered by many pundits to be the best attacking left back in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft … likes to get forward and combine with his teammates, especially with overlapping runs … has an excellent service from the wing, both from deep and in the attacking third … can also function effectively in the midfield as a defensive specialist.

2012: Made one regular-season appearance at left back, a substitute appearance in the season opener at San Jose (March 10). Saw most of his action in the MLS Reserve League, where he made nine starts at left back. Missed the final reserve match (Sept. 22 vs. New York) with a left foot injury. Also started at left back and played 120 minutes in the team’s U.S. Open Cup third-round loss to the Harrisburg City Islanders (May 29).

COLLEGE: A two-time NSCAA All-Midwest honoree … started each of his 44 total games played at Creighton … scored three goals and added six assists in two seasons … helped lead the Bluejays to the 2011 NCAA College Cup, where the team fell to national runner-up UNC-Charlotte … as a sophomore, led the record-setting Bluejay defense, which led the NCAA in shutout percentage and goals against average while allowing only five goals and 2.8 shots on goal per game … also scored one goal and added five assists in 24 games … as a freshman in 2010, named the Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year … was an NSCAA All-Midwest Region First-Team honoree, starting every match for Creighton … scored two goals and added one assist in 20 matches.

U.S. NATIONAL TEAM: A former member of the Under-20, Under-18, Under-17, Under-15 and Under-14 Youth National Team pools … one of five candidates for 2009 U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year ... has 35 career caps for U17 National Team, leading the team with 19 international appearances (all starts) in 2009 ... played every minute of every match at the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria and the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in Mexico in 2009.

PERSONAL: Son of Janet and Terry Polak … has three older brothers: Ryan (30), Aaron (25) and Nate (22) … brother Aaron was an All-American at Hastings College (Neb.) … hobbies include playing the EA Sports FIFA video game series and spending time with his friends … additionally enjoys watching professional basketball and comedy movies, including his go-to film “Wedding Crashers” … names Lionel Messi as his favorite soccer player.