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Chivas USA acquires defender Ante Jazic, selects three players on busy SuperDraft day

January 15, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009) - Chivas USA made Wake Forest University midfielder Michael Lahoud its first-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, while also acquiring veteran defender Ante Jazic from the LA Galaxy, on a busy draft day today that saw four new players join the Red-and-White. After selecting Lahoud with the ninth pick overall, Chivas USA traded its second-round pick (19th overall) in exchange for Jazic and the Galaxy's third- and fourth-round picks, taking forward Kyle Christensen from the University of Denver (35th overall), and Jamie Franks of Wake Forest (49th overall) with those selections.

Michael Lahoud, born Sept. 15, 1986, is a versatile player who played both midfield and forward at Wake Forest University. A four-year starter for the Demon Deacons, the Annadale, Va. native finished his college career with 14 goals in 95 games, and helped the team to the NCAA National Championship in 2007. Lahoud, along with today's other acquisitions, will join the Red-and-White when the team convenes for preseason training on Jan. 28 in Los Angeles.

A member of the Canadian National Team and veteran of several European clubs, Ante Jazic was acquired by Chivas USA from the Galaxy in exchange for the Red-and-White's second-round pick. A three-year veteran of MLS, the defender was signed by the Galaxy in August 2006, and made 44 appearances for the team (41 starts) in three seasons, registering three assists in 15 games in 2008. Prior to joining the Galaxy, the native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, played professionally in Croatia, Austria and Russia. He has made 25 appearances with the Canadian National Team.

Chivas USA also received a pair of draft picks from the Galaxy, and with the 5th pick of the third round (35th overall), the Red-and-White selected forward Kyle Christensen from the University of Denver. In four seasons with the Pioneers, Christensen scored 27 goals in 72 games, and was named to the NSCAA All-Far West Region Third Team twice, and once to the Second Team. Chivas USA then used the 4th pick of the fourth round (49th overall) to select another Wake Forest midfielder, Jamie Franks. The Medford, N.J. native was second on the Deacons in assists his senior year with 11 assists, and finished his career with 7 goals and 20 assists in 73 matches.

After qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the third year in a row last year, Chivas USA is scheduled to open its 2009 preseason training at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday, Jan. 28 ahead of the upcoming MLS season. Media interested in covering preseason should contact Chivas USA Communications. The Red-and-White open their fifth campaign in Major League Soccer on March 21, 2009, when they host the Colorado Rapids at The Home Depot Center.



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