Dozen Join MLS/Nike Project-40
Published on January 9, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Thursday, January 9, 2003) - Major League Soccer unveiled today 12 Nike Project-40 signings ahead of the League's 2003 season. Announced by MLS Senior Vice President Todd Durbin, the signings complete the program's largest class since its inception in 1997. All 12 players will be available for selection in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas on January 17 at 3:30 p.m. (ET) from the Kansas City (MO) Convention Center.
"The quality of this group really speaks for itself, especially considering that this process becomes more selective each year," said Durbin. "Given that Nike Project-40 continues to stress quality over quantity, adding so many elite players means that our teams will have access to a tremendous amount of talent deep into the SuperDraft."
The stellar new Nike Project-40 class includes MAC Hermann Trophy winner Alecko Eskandarian of Virginia, who departs the storied Cavalier program after his junior season. Joining Eskandarian are U.S. Under-17 standouts Eddie Gaven and Guillermo "Memo" Gonzalez. Gaven, who turned 16 less than three months ago, becomes the youngest player ever to sign with MLS, surpassing the mark set by D.C. United's Santino Quaranta, who joined MLS four months after his 16th birthday.
Also forgoing their senior seasons from the college ranks to sign with Nike Project-40 are Wake Forest midfielder Brian Carroll, North Carolina defender David Stokes and midfielder Logan Pause, Eastern Illinois forward Jason Thompson, Virginia midfielder Jacob LeBlanc, and Clemson defender Eric "Ricky" Lewis. In addition, sophomore sensation Ricardo Clark, a defensive midfielder from Furman and the U.S. Under-20 National Team, has also chosen to make the jump to the professional ranks after earning NSCAA first team All-America honors in 2002.
Rounding out the stellar class is a pair of offensive dynamos as U.S. Under-20 midfielder Mike Magee and forward Arturo Alvarez, a standout with the U.S. Under-18 squad, have also elected to join MLS.
In addition, Durbin also announced that MLS teams will be allotted six developmental roster positions during the 2003 season. Teams were allowed to carry four developmental players in 2002. MLS Clubs will now have 24 official roster spots to fill, with the senior roster remaining at 18 players.
Created in 1997, Nike Project-40 is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer aimed at providing America's top young soccer players with the opportunity to play and train in a professional environment on a daily basis. Players signed to Nike Project-40 contracts receive an educational stipend in addition to their salary and a developmental spot on the roster of their MLS club.
In conjunction with the new signings, Durbin also announced a group of nine players who have graduated from the program. That list includes Kelly Gray of the Chicago Fire, Miguel Saavedra (waived by Chicago), Chris Carrieri of the Colorado Rapids, Edson Buddle and Kyle Martino of the Columbus Crew, D.C. United's Quaranta, Brad Davis of the MetroStars, Martin Klinger (waived by the MetroStars) and Shaker Asad (waived by New England). Effective immediately, these players will no longer receive the roster protection granted to members of Nike Project-40.
Major League Soccer Stories from January 9, 2003
- Men in Red Go Abroad - Chicago Fire FC
- Dozen Join MLS/Nike Project-40 - MLS
- Earthquakes Forward Ariel Graziani Loaned To Barcelona S.C. of Ecuador - San Jose Earthquakes
- Crew Kicks off Ultimate Soccer Raffle Program - Columbus Crew SC
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