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LA Galaxy

Galaxy Drafts Local Phenom

January 17, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO (Friday, January 17, 2003) - The 2002 MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles added a group of young exciting players, featuring five Southern California talents, to its roster by drafting seven players in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft held Friday in Kansas City, MO. Highlighting the Galaxy's draft picks is Nike Project-40 and Under-17 U.S. National Team member Guillermo "Memo" Gonzalez of Paramount, CA.

"We were able to bring in arguably the most promising player on the U-17 national team, Guillermo Gonzalez, and then add to that some quality defenders and some kids that have been know to put the ball in the back net," said Galaxy VP/GM Doug Hamilton. "In addition, we've helped ourselves by picking up a 1st round pick in next year's draft from the MetroStars. We accomplished what we wanted to do and added depth, quality, experience and some youth.

Prior to the start of today's draft, the Galaxy announced the trade of goalkeeper Matt Reis to the New England Revolution and in return received the Revolution's 19th overall pick, which was used to select Arturo Torres, and the rights to Honduran midfielder Alex Pineda Chacon.

"We're very pleased because even prior to the draft with the allocation move we made to bring in Hong Myung Bo and making the trade to bring in Alex Pineda Chacon," added Hamilton. "We have brought a great deal of ability, quality and experience into a side that was already fairly successful."

Of Mexican-American heritage, Gonzalez was born and raised in Paramount, CA and played with the Irvine Strikers before joining the U.S. in residency program in September 2001.

"I'm very proud to have been selected by LA and to become a professional player. I just want to keep working hard for the team and earn my way to a starting position," said Gonzalez. "I want to thank my family, parents and my brother, Ruben, who have been instrumental in my success. My long term goal is to play on the senior national team - of the USA of course."

Now in his third semester in U.S. Soccer's Full-Time Residency Program, Gonzalez was the Under-17s leading scorer, tallying 21 goals and seven assists in his first 45 games of 2002. In addition, he scored eight goals in his first 20 internationals and tallied a team-leading three international assists.

"It's a tremendous pick. He's (Gonzalez) a Southern California boy and to have a Southern California kid at home is tremendous," said Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "He's a left-footed player and those players are always special. He has a bright future. We know we're not going to have him a lot this coming year, but he's someone who's going to be a bright star for the Galaxy for years to come."

In a day full of dealings, the Galaxy traded its 10th overall selection to the Dallas Burn in exchange for the 12th and 55th overall selections. However, L.A. continued to wheel and deal executing a trade sending the 12th overall selection to the MetroStars in exchange for the MetroStars' natural first round pick in 2004. In another move, the Galaxy acquired the 16th overall pick from San Jose in exchange for forward Brian Mullan.

"We picked up some young players that have an ability to defend with some size and speed, including Ricky Lewis, Scott Thompson and Arturo Torres, the kid from Loyola Marymount that not a lot of people new about," commented Schmid. "We think Arturo can possibly surprise some people in the same way others kids have done for us in the past."

With three selections in the second round, the Galaxy acquired UCLA defender Scot Thompson with the 16th overall pick, deepening its corps of defenders. With the 19th overall pick, Los Angeles tabbed Wilmington, California native Arturo Torres from Loyola Marymount University. Finishing the second round, the Galaxy selected Clemson defender Ricky Lewis, who joins Gonzalez as a member of Nike Project-40.

The Galaxy held no picks in the third round, but in the fourth round chose Bradley University forward Hamid Mehreioskouei with the 40th overall selection. In the fifth round, the Galaxy selected local UCLA standout forward Jimmy Frazelle with the 50th overall draft pick.

In the sixth round, Los Angeles tabbed goalkeeper Joe Barton with the 55th overall selection. A native of San Marcos, CA, Barton was named the 2002 Big West Goalkeeper of the Year after finishing the season with an 11-5-2 record with a 0.99 goals-against-average. Completing an exciting draft day, the Galaxy traded its 60th overall pick to the Kansas City, receiving in return the Wizards' natural sixth round pick in 2004

The Galaxy is scheduled to open the season on April 5 vs. the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium, in a nationally televised match on ABC Sports. Following a league record eight-game road trip, the Galaxy will open its new home The Home Depot Center on Saturday, June 7 vs. the Colorado Rapids.

For information regarding purchasing 2003 L.A. Galaxy season tickets at The Home Depot Center, please call our office toll-free (877) 3-GALAXY or visit our website at: www.lagalaxy.com.

The following pages are a complete wrap-up of the Galaxy's seven draft picks including short biographies on each player:

LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2003 MLS SUPERDRAFT SELECTIONS

Rd. # Selection Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown DOB College/Last Club
1 8 Guillermo Gonzalez M 5-11 145 Paramount, CA 01-04-86 U-17 MNT/Project-40
2 6 Scot Thompson D 6-0 180 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 02-11-81 UCLA
2 9 Arturo Torres F 6-1 165 Wilmington, CA 12-11-80 Loyola Marymount
2 10 Ricky Lewis D 6-0 170 Spring, TX 05-29-82 Clemson/Project-40
4 10 Hamid Mehreioskouei F 5-11 160 Schaumburg, IL 02-15-81 Bradley
5 10 Jimmy Frazelle M 5-10 150 Folsam, CA 04-10-80 UCLA
6 5 Joe Barton GK 6-1 185 San Marcos, CA 07-01-81 Cal State Northridge

2003 L.A. GALAXY MLS SUPERDRAFT BIOS

Name: Guillermo Gonzalez
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'11" Weight: 145
Birthdate: January 4, 1986
Hometown: Paramount, Calif.
Club: Irvine Strikers
Overview: Called "Memo" by his teammates ... Joined the U.S. in residency in September, 2001 ... Now in his third semester in U.S. Soccer's Full-Time Residency Program ... The Under-17s leading scorer ... Tallied 21 goals and seven assists in his first 45 games of 2002 ... Scored eight goals in his first 20 internationals ... Tallied a team-leaving three international assists ... Scored in four straight international matches in March 2002 ... Scored 11 goals across 12 games from March 6 - April 20, 2002 ... Dished out four assists with the U-17s from October - December, 2001 ... A member of the U.S. Under-16 National Team in 2001 ... A member of the U.S. Under-14s in 2000 ... Traveled with the Under-14s to Mexico in 2000.

Name: Scot Thompson
Position: Defender
Height: 6'0" Weight: 180
Birthdate: February 11, 1981
Hometown: Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
College: UCLA
2002: Second-team NSCAA All-Far West and first-team All-Pac-10 selection ... Team co-captain ... Named a pre-season All-American by Soccer America ... The only player on the Bruin squad to start all 22 games this year ... Leader of a UCLA defense that has shut out eight opponents and compiled a team GAA of 0.78 ... Defensive MVP at the Cal State Fullerton SoccerTown Classic ... Has recorded three assists on the year...2001: Honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection for the second-straight year ... Voted team's Defensive MVP ... One of just three players to start all 23 games ... Key member of UCLA defense that shut out nine opponents and held eight teams to 10 shots or less in a game ... Scored his only goal of the season against Virginia ... All-tournament selection at the UCLA Pacific Soccer Classic...2000: Honorable mention All-Pac-10 and Academic All-Pac-10 ... Started the first 15 games before suffering a broken foot Oct. 28 against Portland ... Scored the game-winning goal against top-ranked Indiana ... Also scored against Butler and St. Mary's ... Participated in the U.S. U-20 National Team training camp and played in four games with three starts...1999: Voted UCLA's Rookie of the Year ... Scored four goals, including the equalizer that sent the game into overtime against Indiana in the NCAA semifinals ... Also scored against Oregon St., CS Fullerton and Washington ... Started eight of 17 games played...High School: Soccer America Top 25 Recruit ... Member of the U.S. U-18 National Team pool ... Lettered three years in two sports at Trabuco Hills HS ... In soccer, he was the league and school Athlete of the Year, as well as all-county as a senior ... Scored five goals and seven assists in 1998-99 ... Team captain from 1997-99 ... Two-time first-team all-league pick ... Selected Rookie of the Year in 1996-97 and earned the school's Scholar Athlete Award ... Played his freshman year at Hackettstown HS in New Jersey ... Captain of the THHS track and field team ... Two-time Orange County and league 1600m relay champion ... Orange County champion and league runner-up in the 400m as a senior ... Orange County Register's all-county track and field selection in 1997-99 ... Ran a personal-best 49.35 in the 400m ... Three-year team captain for the Pateadores Soccer Club, which won the Premier League championship in 1998 ... Scored four goals and five assists in 1999 ... Also played for the NJ Cosmos Knights, which won the 1996 USA Cup...Personal: Honor roll student who participated in the band and choir as a freshman ... Outside interests include listening to music, dancing and playing video games ... Admires Eddie Pope of D.C. United ... Full name is Scot Oliver Thompson ... Born February 11, 1981 in Manhattan, NY ... Sociology major.

Name: Arturo Torres
Position: Forward
Height: 6'1" Weight: 165
Birthdate: December 11, 1980
Hometown: Wilmington, Calif.
College: Loyola Marymount
Overview: Arturo Torres completes his fourth year at LMU...the Lions' All-America candidate earned his fourth-straight All-WCC first-team award...he is the first player in LMU soccer history to be named to the first-team all four years, the fifth player to do so in WCC history...earned NSCAA All-Far West First-Team honors...holds the career points (114), goals (46) and assists records (22) at LMU...tied for sixth on the WCC all-time goals chart with 46 and fourth on the all-time points list with 114...a strong and gifted goal scorer with an incredible ability to find the back of the net...a consistent scoring threat...has learned to attack with left foot making him dangerous from either side...At LMU...2002...played and started in 19 games...took 68 shots, 34 of which were on goal...scored eight goals...one of which was the game-winner against CS Northridge in Round 1 of the College Cup Tournament (Nov.23)...picked up an assist against No.3 UCLA in Round 2 of the College Cup Tournament (Nov.27)...had multi-goal (2) games against UW-Green Bay (Aug. 30), UC Riverside (Oct. 4) and San Diego (Oct. 13)...tallied 21 points on the season...named to the LMU Fall Classic All-Tournament team...earned WCC Player of the Week honors (Oct. 14)...named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week and the College Soccer News National Team of the Week (Oct. 14-20)...was one of only two active players among the WCC's top-10 all-time goal scorers...2001...was a 2001 All Far-West third-team selection...an All-WCC first team selection...started in all 18 games for the Lions...finished first among Lions in points (25), goals (11), game-winning goals (4) and shots (60)...among conference leaders: tied for the lead in goals scored, ranked second in points and finished fourth in shots...scored the game-winning goals against UC Riverside (Sept. 18), Harvard (Sept. 23), UCLA (Sept. 30) and Sacramento State (Oct. 5)...had multiple goal games against UC Riverside and Harvard...had a season game-high of five points (2 goals, 1 assist) against Harvard...converted a penalty kick goal against Fresno State (Sept. 2)...named WCC and Soccer America National Player of the Week for the four goals he scored the week of Sep. 23...also named WCC Player of the Month (Sept.)...2000...played in all 18 games, starting in 17...earned Co-Player of the Year honors in the West Coast Conference...was a first-team all-conference performer for the second-straight season...scored 11 goals and had 10 assists for 32 points...led the team in all those categories...was tied for first in the WCC in assists, tied for second with three game-winning goals, third in points and third in goals...1999...played in 18 games and made 13 starts...an All-WCC first-team selection...ranked 20th in the NCAA in goals-per-game average...led the team in points (36), goals (16), game-winning goals (3), shots (41) and shots on goal (28)...set new LMU record for goals and points in a single game on Sept. 10 against Denver (4 goals, 8 points)...that performance matched the WCC record for goals scored in a single game...became the all-time single-season leader in goals scored and points at LMU...jumped into third place on the career charts for goals scored and points... High School...Torres is a 1999 graduate of Banning High School in Wilmington, CA...a four-year letterwinner in soccer, and two-year letterwinner in football...a three-year soccer team captain...earned All-South Bay accolades as a junior and senior...a four-time All-Southern Pacific League first-team selection...twice honored as the league Most Valuable Player...also garnered first-team all-city and all-area honors...chosen to represent the United States in a prep tournament held in Paris, France during the 1998 World Cup...prep coach was Frank Sandoval...Personal...Arturo Torres was born on Dec. 11, 1980 in Harbor City, CA...the son of Arturo and Gloria Torres...has one brother, Emmanual, and two sisters, Sandra and Adriana...also recruited by Fresno State and CS Dominguez Hills...names "The Wayan Brothers" as his favorite television show...a Chicano studies major.

Name: Ricky Lewis
Position: Defender
Height: 6'0" Weight: 170
Birthdate: May 29, 1982
Hometown: Spring, TX
College: Clemson
2002: Ricky Lewis played in 21 matches and started 19...He had four goals and six assists for 14 points. Tied for fifth on the team for most points...2001: Named to the ACC All-Tournament Team...started 20 matches for the Tigers... finished the season with two goals and two assists for six points... took 10 shots... had one game-winning goal vs. Virginia Commonwealth on September 30, in Clemson's 2-0 victory...had one goal and one assist in Clemson's 6-0 win over Gardner-Webb...had one assist in Clemson's 2-1 win over North Carolina in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament on November 16...named to the Clemson Invitational All-Tournament team...2000: Steady defender who started 19 games and played in all 20 contents for the Tigers in 2000...took 24 shots, had four assists, and scored three goals...his 10 points for the season were eighth best on the team...had two assists on October 11 against Georgia State and a goal and an assist against Furman in a 3-2 win over the Paladins in the NCAA Tournament...selected to play on the Under-20 National Team that competed in the XIth FIFA World Youth Championships in Argentina last summer...Olympic Development Experience: 1982 Region III Team 1998-Present. Club Experience: 1995-Present Texans Soccer Club, Houston, TX...State Champions 1997-98...Region III Champions 1997...Region III Finalist 1998...High School Experience: Klein High School, Spring TX...Individual Honors: 1999 Adidas ESP - Golden Boot Defender...1999 Texas UIL All-State Team...1999 Houston Chronicle All-Greater Houston Team...1999 Klein High School Midfield MVP, 19 goals, 16 assists, 4 game winners...majoring in economics.

Name: Hamid Mehreioskouei
Position: Forward
Height: 5'11" Weight: 160
Birthdate: February 15, 1981
Hometown: Schaumburg, IL
College: Bradley
Overview: Mehreioskouei has shown a tremendous nose for the ball in front of the goal, often finishing off loose ball situations...While he has the strength to keep defenders on his back, Mehreioskouei also boasts the speed to run by people...Second in school history with 28 career assists, Mehreioskouei also finished second in school history with 84 career points...2002 Season: Hamstring injury suffered in the opening game hampered Mehreioskouei most of the season...His goal with 20 seconds left in regulation gave Bradley a 2-1 win versus Drake in the MVC Tournament quarterfinals...2001 Season: Bradley's second-leading scorer with nine goals and 27 points, Mehreioskouei earned first-team NSCAA All-Midwest and second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors...His 0.529 assists-per-game average was third in The Valley and his 1.59 points-per-game-average was fourth...Mehreioskouei's 18 points in league play were second only to Creighton's Mike Tranchilla (19)...Already highlighted by his first career multi-goal game, Mehreioskouei assisted Gavin Glinton's game-winning goal in overtime Oct. 5 at Drake (3-2)...Scored Bradley's first goal in seven games last season, six times as the game's first goal...2000 Season: Set Bradley's single-season record with 13 assists, despite being hobbled by a foot injury in the last four games...Added 11 goals to finish third on the team in scoring with 35 points, a total that would have led the Braves in all but one of the program's other 14 years (including 2001)...Set Bradley's single-game record and tied Richard Mulrooney's Valley record by assisting four goals Sept. 23 versus Oral Roberts...His six-point effort (four assists and a goal) versus Oral Roberts started a school-record, 10-game point-scoring streak for Mehreioskouei...In a College Soccer Online poll conducted during the 2000 season, "Hamid Mehreioskouei" was voted the Best Name in college soccer...1999 Season: Voted to the Valley All-Newcomer Team after finishing third on the squad in scoring with 16 points on six goals and four assists...Immediately playing like a veteran, Mehreioskouei's first goal came in the season-opener, his second goal came Sept. 5 versus #15 SMU and his four remaining goals were game-winners...Had at least one point in five of Bradley's last seven games, including the game-winning score versus #11 Creighton in the MVC Tournament semifinals...Prep Overview: One of the top strikers in the Midwest, Mehreioskouei was invited to the Adidas Elite Soccer Program, an invitation extended to the nation's top 150 players...The Mid-Suburban League player of the year as a senior, Mehreioskouei also earned all-state and All-Midwest honors...Led the Chicago Magic Sockers to the 1999 Illinois State Cup title and a regional runner-up finish...Personal: The son of Mohammad and Almas Mehreioskouei, Hamid was born Feb. 15, 1981...Majoring in business management...Mehreioskouei was the third-leading scorer for the 2000 PDL national champion Chicago Sockers.

Name: Jimmy Frazelle
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'10" Weight: 150
Birthdate: April 10, 1980
Hometown: Folsam, Calif.
College: UCLA
2002: Second-team All-Pac-10 selection ... Ranks fifth on the team in goals scored with five and points with 16, both career highs ... Has tied his career high with six assists, which rank fourth on the squad ... Recorded game-winning goals in overtime against Florida International (100th minute) and against Stanford at home (92nd minute) ... Scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute at home against Fresno State ... Was selected the Pac-10 Player of the Week and earned Soccer America Team of the Week honors Oct. 22 after his heroics against Stanford ... Named to the College Soccer News Team of the Week Oct. 14 after scoring the winning goal against Fresno ... Had a two-assist game in the NCAA second round win over LMU ... Scored one goal and one assist in the quarterfinals against Penn State...2001: Played in 18 games with five starts ... Team leader and tied for fifth in the Pac-10 with six assists ... Assisted on the game-winning goal against Stanford and against LMU in the NCAA first round ... Also recorded an assist and forced a penalty kick in the 4-0 win over San Diego in the second round...2000: Played in 18 games with five starts, including starts in UCLA's last three games ... Scored his first collegiate goal on a penalty kick against Butler in the season opener ... Scored a key insurance goal late in the game to seal a 3-1 win over Portland ... Recorded assists against St. Mary's and Washington (Nov. 3)...1999: Played in seven games ... Recorded assists against Oregon State and San Diego State ... Logged a season-high 24 minutes against UC Santa Barbara...High School - Four year starter and two-year team captain for head coaches Kevin Anderson and Derek Evans at Bella Vista HS ... The Sacramento Bee's Player of the Year and an All-Far West and League MVP selection in 1999 ... All-league selection from 97-99 ... Led Bella Vista to two league titles and to the section finals in 1996 ... Team's leading scorer in 1999 with 21 goals in 21 games ... Member of the ODP Regional Team ... Played club soccer with the San Juan Attack, which won the U19 Surf Cup and Triple Crown Championships ... Selected to the Triple Crown All-America team in 1997 ... Two-time team MVP with the Attack and team captain in 1998 ... Was a guest player in Guadalajara in 1997....Personal: Admires Alessandro Del Piero of Juventus ... Named being selected as the Sacramento Bee's Player of the Year as his biggest athletic thrill ... Hobbies include traveling and music ... Aunt Margo Jennings trains and coaches track and field star Maria Mutola of Mozambique ... Full name is Carl James Frazelle ... Born April 10, 1980 in Sacramento, CA ... Sociology major who is interested in becoming a physical therapist or professional soccer player.

Name: Joe Barton
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6'1" Weight: 185
Birthdate: July 1, 1981
Hometown: San Marcos, Calif.
College: Cal State Northridge
Overview: Named the Big West Goalkeeper of the Year in 2002 after finishing the season with a 11-5-2 record with a 0.99 goals against average...Collected a total of six shutouts this season and 11 in two seasons at Northridge...2002: Recorded shutouts over then 14th-ranked UC Santa Barbara (10/19) and 22nd-ranked Cal (8/30)...Held opponents to one or fewer goals in 15 of his 18 matches...Helped school to its first-ever trip to the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament and its best record since turning Division I in 1991 with a 14-5-2 overall record...Grabbed 79 saves in 2002 and 78 in 2001 for a two-year total of 157 saves in 36 matches...Posted a two-year record of 20-11-5 and a 1.22 goals against average...2001: Named second-team all-Big West Conference as a junior after posting a 9-6-3 record with a 1.43 goals against average...Played two years at Poin Loma Nazarene (Division II) in San Diego, California before transferring to Cal State Northridge...Also played baseball while at Point Loma...Played all four years of college soccer with his identical twin brother Josh Barton...Attended San Marcos High School from 1997-1999 where he earned all-league honors in both baseball and soccer...Personal: His father Robert played professional baseball for the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds.

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