From Shawne Merriman to Juan Dixon, the University of Maryland has many former Terrapins playing professional sports, but two of the most overlooked might be making a living in soccer.

New York’s defender Seth Stammler and Real Salt Lake City goalie Chris Seitz are among 13 former Terrapins who are now playing Major League Soccer.

Stammler, in his fourth season, got off to a inauspicious start, as he was hindered by an ankle injury as a rookie in 2004. After returning to the field in 2005, Stammler established himself the following season by scoring three goals, but has yet to find the net this year for Red Bulls (7-6-3).

“There are a lot of guys from the ACC or guys who we played in the tournament that I play against now,” Stammler said. “We have some good trash talk about who was better while we are playing and who is better now.”

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Seitz left the University of Maryland after a stellar sophomore season this past fall. Seitz, who helped lead the Terrapins to the NCAA tournament, was selected fourth overall in the league’s SuperDraft by Real Salt Lake which is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, Seitz has played in just two games and made five saves. But, in an effort to adjust to professional soccer, Seitz recently played for the U.S. National team — a squad that featured his Real Salt Lake teammate Freddy Adu — in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Toronto earlier this month.

Seitz’s greatest performance in the tournament happened in front of a national television audience on ESPN. He made 14 saves, including many from close range, to lead the Americans to a thrilling, 2-1 victory over perennial power Brazil. However, the United States’ bid to win the tournament ended with a 2-1 loss to Austria in the quarterfinals.

Now, Seitz’ main focus is helping Real Salt Lake (1-8-6) rebound from a horrible start to the season and boost his profile as one of the sport’s premier goalies.

“There are more and more players leaving from the MLS to go overseas,” Seitz said. “There are a lot of goalkeepers over there that came from the MLS.”

Over there

» A sixth overall pick by the L.A. Galaxy in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft, former Terrapin Danny Califf played six years in the MLS before leaving to sign with Aalborg BK (Denmark) in the Dutch SuperLiga. As a forward he has one goal in his two seasons with AalBorg.

» After an being named a Freshman All-American in 2005, Robbie Rogers decided to forego his final three years of eligibility and signed with the Dutch team SC Heerenveen. He never played there and returned to the MLS where he currently plays for the Columbus Crew.