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New England Revolution

Revolution Select Midfielder

January 20, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Philadelphia - The New England Revolution selected Leandro de Oliveira out of the University of Alabama-Birmingham in the first round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center today.

De Oliveira, a midfielder who is naturally left-footed but is skilled with both feet, comes from Bryan, Texas after being born in Brazil. He had a standout college career at University of Alabama-Birmingham. He was Second Team NSCAA All-America in 2003 and was First team All-Conference USA in 2003 and 2004. De Oliveira missed much of his senior season with a knee injury. He attended Allen Academy in Texas for high school and started college at University of Connecticut before transferring to UAB in 2002 and playing three seasons there.

"He's a very talented attacking player, " said Revolution head coach Steve Nicol. "He's going to put pressure on players who are starters now to keep their positions. He's exactly what we wanted."

"New England is a great team," said de Oliveira. "I'm going to a good club. I'm really happy to be part of such a team and I'm looking forward to starting playing and joining a good group of guys."

The Revolution also today acquired an allocation from the Columbus Crew in exchange for the a 2nd round pick (13th overall) in 2006 and the 3rd round pick in the 2007 draft. Both selections traded to Columbus today had previously been acquired through trades with Chivas USA.

The Revolution has had great success in the MLS draft in recent years. Head coach Steve Nicol's previous two first round picks, Michael Parkhurst (2005) and Clint Dempsey (2004) went on to be MLS Gatorade Rookies of the Year. The Revs' two top choices before that, Pat Noonan (2003) and Taylor Twellman (2002), both went on to win league scoring titles and earn MLS All-Star status.

In conjunction with adidas and MLS, the Revolution unveiled the team's new 2006 uniforms in Philadelphia today. The new kits were first shown today, prior to the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, along with the league's new official adidas match ball and ten other team uniforms. Parkhurst modeled the updated Revs kit at the event. After signing a $150 million, 10-year sponsorship agreement in late 2004, adidas becomes the sole official uniform supplier for the league in 2006.

Center Circle Membership season tickets for the 2006 season are on sale now. Please call 1-877-GET-REVS to purchase and for more information.

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