CyberRays have few picks but a leg up in WUSA Draft
January 31, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release
SAN JOSE (Jan. 31, 2003) â The San Jose CyberRays won't be picking in the first round of Sunday's WUSA Draft in Atlanta and have only two picks in the four-round allocation, but coach Ian Sawyers says the team is in good shape.
``If you consider that our No.1 pick is Mandy Clemens, we're already ahead of the game,'' Sawyers said.
Clemens, 25, won both of college soccer's top awards in 1999 as a senior forward at Santa Clara and was obtained from the Philadelphia Charge, for whom she was the No.3 scorer over two WUSA seasons, in an Oct. 1 trade. That trade sent the CyberRays' first-round pick, the fourth overall, to Philadelphia.
``Depending on how the dominoes fall Sunday or if there are any trades, we'll be making two draft picks based on two factors: the best player available and the areas where we need help,'' Sawyers said.
As a result of injuries that plagued his back line in 2002, Sawyers said he was looking first for defensive help. ``With the depth in the draft being a little greater this year, hopefully we will pick up a quality player who will help us,'' he said.
One of Clemens' former Santa Clara teammates, midfielder Aly Wagner, who just returned from three games in China with the U.S. national team, is expected to go first in the draft to the San Diego Spirit, which traded with the New York Power last fall to obtain the No.1 pick. The CyberRays will draft fourth in the second round, 12th overall, and fourth in the fourth round, 28th overall. The team's third-round choice was part of a Nov. 13, 2001 trade with the Washington Freedom that brought Brazilian midfielder Pretinha to the CyberRays.
Fans can follow the draft live in audio beginning at 7:30 a.m. PST Sunday at www.wusa.com. Listening to the audiocast requires a Windows Media Player, available free.
The CyberRays open preseason training March 1 and open their 2003 season at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5 against the Philadelphia Charge in Spartan Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now at CyberRays Tower, 1991 Park Ave., in San Jose or online at http://www..sjcyberrays.com/tickets/tix_seasontix.html.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from January 31, 2003
- CyberRays have few picks but a leg up in WUSA Draft - San Jose CyberRays
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