NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



New England Revolution

Revolution selects Michael Parkhurst with ninth pick in MLS SuperDraft

January 14, 2005 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


Baltimore, Md. - The New England Revolution selected defender Michael Parkhurst with the ninth overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas at the Baltimore Convention Center today. Parkhurst, who grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island as a Revolution fan, was in the stands at Foxboro Stadium for the first-ever Revolution game.

Parkhurst signed with Generation adidas after three standout years at Wake Forest University. A two-time NSCAA All-America Second Team selection, Parkhurst was a candidate for the Hermann Trophy in 2004, the award for the top player in college soccer. He has international experience as a member of the United States Under-17 team.

"He's a soccer player, pure and simple. He's good on the ball. He passes the ball well and he's a good defender," said Revolution head coach Steve Nicol. "We drafted him first and foremost because of his ability on the field. The fact that he's a New England kid and supported the Revolution is obviously a bonus."

"This is big step in my career, turning professional. It's a great opportunity for me here with the Revolution, being from Rhode Island." said Parkhurst. "I'm just looking forward to getting to know my teammates, the system, the coaching staff. Steve Nicol is a great guy and a great coach and I'm really looking forward to getting to play for him."

Parkhurst played his club soccer in Rhode Island with Bayside United before going on to attend the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida at the age of 14.

Parkhurst signed with Generation adidas, Major League Soccer's new youth player development program designed to identify and nurture the elite youth soccer talent in the United States. The program kicked off this week with the signing of 12 of the top young soccer players in the nation to MLS and adidas endorsement contracts.

The Revolution has reaped great success in recent years with players picked in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. In 2002, the Revolution chose forward Taylor Twellman, who has gone on to become the club's all-time leading goal scorer. 2003 first round pick Pat Noonan went on to become MLS' Budweiser Scoring co-Champion in his second season and the Revs' 2004 first-rounder, midfielder Clint Dempsey, was recently named the 2004 Gatorade Rookie of the Year.

The 2005 SuperDraft, traditionally a six-round draft, consists of four rounds in this year's edition. The Fifth and Sixth Rounds of the draft will become the First and Second Rounds of a four-round draft for the soon to be named MLS developmental league, which will be held at a later date. The draft order is initially determined by reverse order of finish in 2004 with the exception of Real Salt Lake and CD Chivas USA, the 2005 expansion teams that will select with the top two spots in each round.

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from January 14, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central