Former Husky, Tony Cascio has MLS success

UConn 2012 graduate Tony Cascio is now eight games into his MLS career after being selected No. 14 overall by the Colorado Rapids.

The 22-year-old midfielder has started seven games and is averaging over 73 minutes a match. He has two goals and an assist. His first career goal came just two games into the season, in a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. The Rapids are currently 4-4.

Cascio was a standout player throughout his career for the Huskies. As a freshman he played in 22 games, scored two goals and notched six assists. The Huskies lost to DePaul in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament and Cascio scored in a loss to No. 2 Creighton in the NCAA third round.

Sophomore year, he tallied seven goals and five assists in 19 games. The Huskies fell to Monmouth in a shootout in the first round of the NCAA tournament after losing to Providence 1-0 in overtime in the Big East tournament quarterfinals.

Cascio had his best year statistically in 2010, during his junior season. Over 19 games, he scored 10 goals and had six assists. The Huskies lost to Cincinnati in a shootout in the Big East tournament quarterfinals, then lost in a shootout to Brown in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Cascio battled injuries throughout his senior season, but still managed to play 25 games, finishing with five goals and eight assists. The Huskies were ranked No. 1 in the country for about three weeks. They lost to St. John’s 1-0 in overtime in the Big East championship game, then lost to Charlotte in penalty kicks in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. Cascio scored the go–ahead goal in the 81st minute to put the Huskies up 1-0 before Charlotte scored in the 84th minute to send the game to overtime.

Cascio finished his career as a Husky with 24 goals and 25 assists. His career was riddled with heartbreaking losses. In the duration of Cascio’s time at UConn, the Huskies lost in the Big East tournament and NCAA tournament twice, each in shootouts and once each in overtime.