Andrew Wenger's soccer skill has long made an impact.

In youth soccer, at Warwick, at Duke University and on the U.S. Under-23 national team.

And Thursday, that skill earned him a spot on the Montreal Impact when the expansion team selected him as the first overall pick in Major League Soccer's SuperDraft in Kansas City, Mo.

A dream come true?

"It was not so much a dream, but more of a goal that's evolved over the years and became more realistic and has come to fruition," Wenger said in a telephone interview.

Wenger, 21, said he was honored be able to play professionally.

Just as there are far more excellent college football players than professional slots available, it is similarly difficult to earn a berth on a pro soccer team. There are 19 professional teams in North America, three of which are in Canada, Wenger said.

"It's something that doesn't happen every day, especially (coming) from Lancaster," he said.

Wenger's father, Jim Wenger, said it was "pretty surreal" that his son would be playing professional soccer.

"It was always his dream and he just kept plugging away. For it to come to fruition is pretty amazing," he said.

Wenger had signed a contract with the league a month ago and knew either Montreal or the Vancouver Whitecaps would select him.

Though he would have also been happy to play in Vancouver, Wenger said Montreal had a slight edge because it's closer to home and easier for his parents to travel to. He doesn't speak French, but said he's looking forward to learning.

And he's looking forward to moving to Montreal. He's already got a friend there.

Zarek Valentin, a Manheim Township graduate, plays defense for the Impact and Wenger said they've been talking about living together.

Although they were high school rivals, Wenger said he and Valentin had actually played together more often, on youth teams, than as opponents.

"We were much better friends than people sometimes tried to make it out," Wenger said.

The two played on the Pennsylvania Classics youth team. Wenger acknowledged Steve Klein, his youth coach for several years, on Thursday.

"He was a huge influence on me and a mentor to me," he said.

Wenger said Valentin could show him around the city, although Wenger said he's been doing some remote recon.

"I've been watching a lot of the Travel Channel lately, so at least I know of some nice places to eat," he said.

Wenger declined to disclose how much he'll be paid, but said he'll be able to earn a living and won't have to take another job.

"Soccer will be my number one priority," he said.

Wenger was recruited by Duke as a forward, but a need on defense put him on the back line in his first two years. He practiced with the offense last spring, allowing a seamless transition to forward this year and a chance to score goals.

"I'd like to be on the field to start, but after that, I think I'd like to play somewhere in the midfield, but like I said before, whatever helps the Montreal Impact win games, I'm happy to do," he said in an interview posted on the Impact's website.

The Impact were expected to choose between Wenger and Akron forward Darren Mattocks, who many believe has greater long-term potential.

Club officials wavered between the two until a couple days ago, ultimately going with Wenger's versatility over Mattocks' scoring punch. Mattocks was selected second by the Whitecaps.

"In the end he's the best soccer player. That's what he is, he's really the best soccer player available," Impact head coach Jesse Marsch said of Wenger.

"We know that he will handle the pressure and the expectations very well because he is a mature young man," Marsch said. "I believe he has the potential to become a great midfielder, defender and forward. We certainly feel that we became a stronger team today."

Wenger's selection follows being named college player of the year. He received the MAC Hermann Trophy as College Player of the Year in St. Louis on Friday night.

Duke coach John Kerr, who won the award in 1986, presented Wenger with the award.

A junior, Wenger recorded 17 goals, including four game-winners, and eight assists for a Duke squad that finished 11-7-3.

In his collegiate career, he started every game and finished with 21 goals and 13 assists.

Wenger said he'll continue to take classes at Duke for the rest of the spring semester so he can earn his degree — he has a 3.5 GPA in history — and then will move permanently to Montreal. He took extra classes the past four semesters and went to summer school in anticipation of going pro were the opportunity to arise.

Wenger was returning Thursday to Los Angeles, where he is practicing with the U.S. Men's National under-23 team, of which Valentin is also part.

"Lancaster County is lucky enough to have two players from Lancaster County hopefully going to the Olympics," Wenger said.

The team has two games in Los Angeles in the next week, then will travel to Costa Rica for two exhibition games, Wenger said.

Wenger will play defense on the national team.

Wenger was also recently named to the Generation adidas team, a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer to give the top players a chance to leave college early and continue their soccer careers.

He was named All-ACC the last three years, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2011, and was also part of the Academic All-America first team. He started all 63 games in his career and was off the field for only 131 total minutes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

dnephin@lnpnews.com