by Riley Bauling
Daily Lobo
He might not have all the amenities that usually come with a professional contract, but Andrew Weber said he's just fine with that.
For now, at least.
The ex-goalkeeper for the UNM men's soccer team signed a contract with D.C. United of Major League Soccer on June 3.
"I don't get paid very much at all," he said. "But everyone's got to start out somewhere."
Weber said he was signed to a developmental contract. The developmental contract is what players sign when the team plans on having them spend most of their time with the developmental team to begin their professional careers.
The developmental team is the reserve squad for D.C. United's first team.
Weber said the contract pays him "basically nothing," but does come with medical benefits and he has a free place to stay.
He said United's coaches knew a family in the area that would be willing to let him live for free in exchange for training their high school boy in goalkeeping.
He said he's got a cozy room in the basement complete with a pool table, and the family lets him come and go as he pleases.
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Weber said although his contract doesn't allow him to have the bling most professional athletes are accustomed to, he's still getting the chance to play professionally.
"It was a huge deal to me," he said. "I signed my papers right off the plane. I was thinking how I finally got a chance to do it, do something that I've wanted to do since I was so young."
Weber said United's coaches called him after a weeklong tryout and told him they wanted to sign him to the developmental team. They flew him two days later to San Jose, Calif., for his first game with the developmental team.
Weber said he doesn't plan on playing for the developmental team forever. He said he plans on making the first team at some point in the future.
If that doesn't work out, Weber said a job doing public relations for a sports team would be ideal. He said he'd also love to go to law school eventually.
But for now, Weber's only concern is making the roster of 18 that dresses for every game United's first team plays. He's suited up for two of the first team's games, but hasn't seen playing time. He just needs a couple years, he said.
But it might take even less time. Weber said the level of play he was accustomed to at UNM before coming to the MLS has Moore will also get a chance to rewrite the UNM football record books. Before the start of the Emerald Bowl, Moore needed 125 yards to break the UNM all-time rushing record. Moore only gained eight yards on five carries against Navy.
Even though Moore rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and had five touchdowns, he said stats don't concern him.
"I just want to help my team in whatever way possible," he said. "I'm not really into stats. I don't judge my success on the amount of yards I get."
Moore said he's concerned more with how he can help out the players around him.
"I just want to be the best teammate I can be, be the best captain I can be and be a tool for the younger guys to look up to," he said.
The only thing standing between Moore and the UNM record books is medical clearance. Moore has not been cleared to practice and said he probably won't be until right before camp begins. Camp will start on Aug. 8.
The Lobos' first game is on Sept. 5, at home against Mountain West Conference rival the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
