They've been teammates and friends for the past four years. They spent last summer training together in Brazil. But in a few months, Derek Potteiger and Ricardo Villar could be facing each other for the first time as opponents.

Potteiger and Villar, both members of the Penn State men's soccer team, were selected in the 2002 Major League Soccer Super Draft on Sunday, becoming the first Nittany Lions to be chosen in MLS history. Potteiger was taken in the fourth round (41st overall) by the New England Revolution and the Dallas Burn selected Villar in the fifth round (55th overall). Penn State assistant coach Marlon LeBlanc said that he and the rest of the Lions are extremely happy with both players being chosen in the draft.

"They've certainly put in their time," Le Blanc said. "They're two of the best collegiate players in the country, so they're well-deserving. We'll certainly miss both of those guys."

Potteiger and Villar, both All-Americans, served as captains on the 2001 Lion squad which finished 14-5-1 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament. Potteiger was a first-team All-Big Ten selection three years in a row and is the Lions' all-time leader in assists. Villar led the team in goals and assists in 2001 and was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, college soccer's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

Both Potteiger and Villar were recently in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to take part in the Umbro Select combine, a series of games designed for potential MLS draftees. The duo was joined by Penn State head coach Barry Gorman, who said both players put forth a strong performance.

"They both did very well and impressed a lot of coaches," Gorman said. "But they've still got some work to do."

Both Potteiger and Villar will have to earn a spot on their teams' rosters before they are offered a contract. If either fails to make their squad, they could be sent to a developmental "A" league for a season, but Gorman believes they both have decent chances of being in the professional ranks when the MLS season begins in March.

"It's going to be very difficult for anybody to make a team, especially with the contraction of two of the league's teams this season," Gorman said. "It's up to them to impress. But because of the upcoming World Cup, MLS might be losing players to cup duty and might be looking for replacements, so that's another opportunity for them."

Potteiger, a Mechanicsburg native, said he is excited to be headed to an area relatively close to his home state.

"I'm glad to be staying on the East Coast, staying close to my family and friends," Potteiger said. "And (the Revolution have) a really good squad and some really talented players."

Dallas and New England are scheduled to meet on May 11. Could the game feature a Potteiger vs. Villar matchup?

"That's a long way off," Potteiger said. "It would be fun to face off against him, but I haven't given it much thought. We both have a way to go first."