PLAYER PROFILE: JUSTIN BILYEU
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
Position: Defender
Primary Role: Full Back
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 175
DOB: 02/03/1994
Nationality: United States
Preferred Footed: Left
Club: New York Red Bulls (MLS)
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:
No International Team Experience.
CURRENT STATUS:
Drafted 18th Overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by New York Red Bulls. Signed to an MLS contract on March 3, 2016
PLAYING CAREER:
2009-2010: SLSG Missouri U16 (USSDA) – 26 games, 14 starts, 3 goals
2010-2011: SLSG Missouri U16 (USSDA) – 23 games, 20 starts, 6 goals
2011-2012: SLSG Missouri U18 (USSDA) – 16 games, 14 starts, 2 goals, 1 yellow
2012: SIU Edwardsville (NCAA – D1) – 6 games,
2013: St Louis Lions (PDL) – 1 games, 58 minutes
2013: SIU Edwardsville (NCAA – D1) – 15 games, 15 starts, 2 goals, 1 assists, 7 shots on target, 3 yellows
2014: SIU Edwardsville (NCAA – D1) – 20 games, 19 starts, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 shots on target
2015: FC Tucson (PDL) – 7 games, 504 minutes, 1 goals, 1 assist, 6 total shots
2015: SIU Edwardsville – 18 games, 18 starts, 1 goal, 3 assists, 7 shots on goal
ANALYSIS:
Bilyeu is a left-footed defender who has always had good size since youth also improved his overall play throughout college at SIU Edwardsville and in PDL to be invited to the MLS Combine and drafted in the first round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by New York Red Bulls 18th overall.
Justin attended Christian Brothers College, where he was a first team All-Metro player and also played three seasons with St Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri where he played 49 games with the U16 side scoring 9 goals and 16 games with the U18 side scoring two goals in USSDA.
Justin stayed local signing with SIU-Edwardsville where Head Coach Kevin Kalish said “Justin has many of the tools to be a top player. He is one of the best pure strikers of the ball that I’ve seen over the years. He has tremendous size and has shown the ability to play as a left back, left midfielder, or even center of the field. His distribution on the ball and range of passing is what truly sets apart from his peers.” Justin was used sparingly in his freshman year, but started his sophomore year and played a total of 59 games with SIU Edwardsville, starting 52 games, scoring five goals and adding six assists. He was named second team All-MVC in 2014 and 1st team All-MVC in 2015. Bilyeu also played PDL soccer with the St Louis Lions in 2013 and FC Tucson in 2015.
At the 2016 MLS Combine Bilyeu impressed MLS scouts by his adaptability at playing both central defence and left full-back the fact he was left footed was also an asset. Justin is willing to challenge attackers 1v1 and is a good tackler. Where he lacks as a left back is his sprinting speed and might have difficulties keeping up or tracking back against a very quick winger on the break. He sees the field well and capable of picking out a teammate via a cross or long ball. Turning 22 in 2016, Bilyeu is a player who can develop his skill set in what should be a very exciting NY Red Bulls II team in USL this upcoming season.
Signed to an MLS contract on March 3, 2016 with the New York Red Bulls.
HIGHLIGHTS:
+ Played three seasons in USSDA soccer with SLSG Missouri
+ Spent four seasons at SIU Edwardsville in NCAA Division 1 soccer
+ Played three seasons of PDL soccer St Louis and Tucson
+ Drafted 18th overall by New York Red Bulls in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft
+ Signed to an MLS contract on March 3, 2016