MEN'S SOCCER: Former Edwardsville star is now in the pros

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's soccer team and Sam Fink (No. 5) played host to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Spry Soccer Stadium on November 2, 2013 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Fighting Irish defeated the Demon Deacons 3-1. (Brian Westerholt/Sports On Film) less The Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's soccer team and Sam Fink (No. 5) played host to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Spry Soccer Stadium on November 2, 2013 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Fighting Irish ... more Photo: Brian Westerholt Buy photo Photo: Brian Westerholt Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close MEN'S SOCCER: Former Edwardsville star is now in the pros 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Sam Fink never did receive the phone call he was hoping to get during the four rounds of the MLS Superdraft on Jan. 15 and 20.

Fink, a former Edwardsville High School standout and starting center back at Wake Forest University, wasn’t ready to hang up the soccer cleats yet.

“It was definitely a little bit of a letdown,” Fink said of not being drafted. “I’m going to use it as motivation.”

Fink, who captained the Demon Deacons to a 10-7-2 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2014, was ranked No. 32 of the Top 40 MLS prospects by www.sbisoccer.com before his senior year started.

Fink wasn’t ready for his soccer career to be over, and he did something about it.

“I went to a combine down in Florida, and I did well for myself,” he said.

The Seattle Sounders FC had interest in Fink, and he was prepared to make the trip to the northwest.

Then St. Louis FC entered the picture.

The newest pro team, which plays at the St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton and is affiliated with the Chicago Fire of MLS, wanted Fink to return home.

“(General manager) Jeremy (Alumbaugh) offered me a contract, and I decided to stay home and sign,” said Fink, who was coached by current St. Louis FC coach Dale Schilly in the club ranks growing up.

Signing the contract was a special feeling for Fink, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science.

What had been a dream since he was a little kid was finally about to become a reality.

“It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was three years old,” Fink said. “My mom tells me all the time that she would ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up, and I always knew I wanted to be a pro soccer player.

“Not only am I a pro soccer player, but I’m also a pro soccer player where I grew up in St. Louis. It’s a special feeling. It’s very much a blessing that I’m proud of.”

Fink, though, wasn’t able to celebrate right away.

Though the contract was signed nearly a month-and-a-half ago, it wasn’t announced until March 7.

“I had signed and had a spot on the team,” Fink said. “It was difficult not telling people, especially since family and friends were asking me what the next step was.”

Fink said only his immediate family and a handful of former coaches and mentors were aware of the contract.

“I had long discussions with my immediate family and then some former mentors and head coaches,” Fink said. “Thankfully I was able to discuss it with them, otherwise I might have gone crazy.”

In the exhibition against SIUE on Feb. 28, Fink made his professional debut with St. Louis FC. He entered in the second half at center back.

Since the 2-1 win over the Cougars at Ralph Korte Stadium, St. Louis has dropped a pair of 2-0 exhibition games to the Indy Eleven and Tulsa Roughnecks. Both teams are in the USL, as well.

After a friendly at Tulsa on Saturday, the regular season begins with a road game at Louisville City on March 28.

The first home game is against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7:30 p.m. on April 11. Tickets can be ordered at www.saintlouisfc.com.

Fink said there are noticeable differences between college soccer and the pro ranks.

“The skill level rises, and the brain side comes into it. You have to be smart with your passes, smart with your movements,” Fink said. “You are playing against guys with a lot of experience, and they aren’t just going to roll over for you.

“One of the biggest things is the professionalism of it. There aren’t too many young guys in the camp right now. So when you are here, it is expected from guys like Mike Ambersley and Bryan Gaul that you are going to be professional that day and are going to be focused. You get there and you are ready to work.”

As for the coach’s expectations, Fink may already have an idea what Schilly wants.

Fink played on Schilly’s club teams for Metro and St. Louis-Scott Gallagher. When Fink did his signing story for Wake Forest, Schilly was by his side.

Not only does is Fink familiar with his coach, but he also knows what he wants to get out of this season.

“I get to play under Dale again, so I kind of already know his expectations and what he expects out of his players,” Fink said. “The first few weeks have been good, and I’m really excited about how things have been going.”

“I want to come in and make an impact. I’m hoping that entails starting. If I don’t, I just want to help the team anyway that I can. Ultimately, all I want to do is win.”

According to Fink, there may be plenty of victories for the team in its inaugural season.

“We have a really good looking team,” he said. “It’s a team that can bring home a lot of championships and wins.”

Fink should know what a winning team looks like. He helped the Tigers to three state tournaments, including a second-place finish in 2008 and third-place finish in 2010.

Almost five years after playing his last high school soccer game at Edwardsville, Fink is playing professional soccer just across the Mississippi River.

It’s a dream come true for a man that always knew what he to be wanted growing up. He never gave up.

“I always know that there is going to be life after soccer. During college, I was confident that it wasn’t going to happen after I graduated just yet,” Fink said. “You have to have that confidence and mindset if you are wanting to be a professional at anything. There are always going to be people telling you that you can’t do. There are always going to be setbacks.

“What makes a true competitor is how you are going to respond to those setbacks. Thankfully, I responded to those setbacks the right way.”

The roadblocks are a thing of the past, and Fink can focus now on being a member of the St. Louis FC.

“Who knows what would have happened if the MLS called my name,” Fink said. “I’m confident, though, that I’m where I should be."