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New York Red Bulls

MetroStars Inject Eight New Exciting Players From 2003 SuperDraft

January 17, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO (January 17, 2003) - In what will likely go down as both the busiest and exciting day in team history the MetroStars today drafted eight outstanding youngsters utilizing four SuperDraft picks and four others picks acquired through trades to inject an infusion of young talent from all parts of the United States.

The team began its day in Kansas City by selecting highly touted midfielder Ricardo Clark with the number two pick overall. The 19-year old Georgia native is a Project 40 player and a starter for the U-20 U.S. National Team. In 2002, he was named first team All-America honors, first team NSCAA, and College Soccer News All-American at Furman University.

The team then traded midfielder Brad Davis to the Dallas Burn for the number four pick overall, which it selected 18-year old striker Mike Magee. The native of Illinois is another talented player from Project 40 program that led the U-20 U.S. National Team with an impressive 14 goals during 2002.

At the start of the second round the team acquired the 12th overall pick from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a first round pick in the 2004 SuperDraft. The team immediately drafted the youngest player in team history with 16-year old midfielder Eddie Gaven from Hamilton, New Jersey. He recently began his fourth semester in U.S. Soccer's Full-Time U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida.

The next trade of the day took place in the second round when the team acquired the 17th pick from the Columbus Crew in exchange for defender Nelson Akwari and the second round pick in the 2004 SuperDraft. The team selected 22-year defender/midfielder Tim Regan from Bradley University. He brings an impressive resume from the college ranks that included being named the 2002 Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

The team used its natural 30th pick to select defender Tim Glowienka from the University of South Carolina, and a pair of University of Virginia midfielders with Kenny Arena (32nd) and Jacob LeBlanc (42nd). Kenny is the 21-year old son of U.S. National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena.

The final trade and activity of the day took place in the fifth round when the MetroStars acquired the 49th pick from the New England Revolution in exchange for a sixth round pick in 2004. Barry University defender Marco Velez became the eight and final player to join the MetroStars on draft day.

Bios and select quotes from among the new players and Bob Bradley are available below.

BOB BRADLEY: Comment on today's activity: " I feel very good today. We drafted a talented group of players that I believe will be terrific for our team in the future. They are all very young, which requires patience by everyone with their development, but they do have the talent to be great players on our team."

RICARDO CLARK: Feelings of being drafted by the MetroStars: "I'm just really excited right now. The MetroStars are a great organization and Bob Bradley is a great coach. I'm excited to get my career started."

On whether he's met Coach Bob Bradley: "I've never met Coach Bradley but I've heard great things about him."

On his feelings of being drafted: "It's more excitement right now. It's a crazy time in my life. I'm just hoping for the best."

On being selected second overall: "I didn't know what to expect but it's a great honor to be selected second in the MLS SuperDraft."

MIKE MAGEE: On whether he knew Bob Bradley would select him: "I heard things but I never knew for sure. I always hoped to play under Bob and it's a dream come true."

On how long he's known Bradley: "I met Bob two to three years ago but I started training this past season with the Fire, he invited me to work out with them ... So I've known Bob for a while. Outside of soccer I've had a personal relationship and I've spoken to him about other things outside of soccer. I have a lot of respect for him."

On what he expects from his first year with the MetroStars: "I hope a little bit of playing time. But just training is going to be an awesome experience. Just to talk to those players and see how they handle situations is the best thing for me right now."

BIOS:

Ricardo Clark
Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 140
Born: February 10,1983
Hometown: Jonesboro, GA
College: Furman University (Nike Project-40)
- Member of the youth national team since 1999 and currently is a starting midfielder on the U-20 National squad.
- In 2002, named first team All-America honors and first team NSCAA and College Soccer News All-American
- Named to the 2002 All-Southern Conference first team and the NSCAA All-South Region first team.
- As a member of the U-20 National Team, started in 11 of the team's first 13 internationals.

Mike Magee, Forward
Height: 6-0
Weight: 145
Born: October 25, 1986
Hometown: Hamilton, NJ
College: Nike Project-40
- As an 18-year old, led the U.S. Under-20s with 14 goals in 2002
- In 2002 following tryouts with Ajax (Holland) and Viking (Norway) he frequently trained with Chicago Fire
- Scored four times in a 5-2 win over Ukraine to put the U.S. into the semifinals of the C.O.T.I.F. Torneig Internacional in Spain.

Tim Regan Defender / Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Born: June 27, 1981
Hometown: Orland Hills, IL
College: Bradley University
- At the age of 16 years and 2 months, he becomes the youngest player ever to sign with MLS
- Recently began his fourth semester in U.S. Soccer's Full-Time U17 Residency Program in Bradenton, FL
- A creative player whose size and athleticism make him an excellent ball-winner on both offense and defense

Kenny Arena
Midfielder Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Born: February 6, 1981
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
College: Virginia
- In 2002, named Second Team All-ACC - In 2001, selected to the NSCAA/Adidas All-South Atlantic Region First Team and named Second Team All-State by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID).

Jacob LeBlanc
Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180
Born: February 2, 1981
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
College: University of Virginia (Project 40)
- In 2002, scored eight points resulting from a team-high eight assists and half of his assists (four) on the season were game-winners
- In 2002, named to the ACC All-Tournament Team and selected Second Team All-State by the Virginia Sports Information Directors of America (VaSID)
- In 2001, recorded 1,592 minutes of playing time after starting all 20 games (team-high) he appeared in, finishing fourth on the team with 10 points resulting from six assists (second on the squad) and two goals
- Played on the under-18 U.S. National Team and was a member of the under-20 pool.

Marco Velez
Defender
Height: N/A
Weight: N/A
Born: N/A
Hometown: N/A
College: Barry University
- Two-time All-Sunshine State Conference pick at Barry - Tied for sixth in school history with 16 assists
- 2001, earned third-straight All-SSC selection and career-high seven assists
- Graduated from Bradenton Academy in Bradenton, Florida and was an All-Conference selection as a freshman and sophomore at Colegio San Jose in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

Tim Glowienka
Defender
College: University of South Carolina
Ht: 5-9
Wt: 165
Hometown: Oak Ridge, TN
Born: August 10, 1980
- 2002 Named to the Pre-rehab-Aces Classic All-Tournament Team.
- In 2001, member of the defense that allowed only 22 goals in 19 matches, averaging 1.2 goals per match
- Started all but three matches in his collegiate career
- Member of the 2001 NSCAA/adidas Third Team All-South and 2001 UCLA Invitational All-Tournament team.

Eddie Gaven
Midfielder
College: NA - Project 40
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 145
Hometown: Hamilton, NJ
Born: October 25, 1986
- At the age of 16 years and 2 months, he becomes the youngest player ever to sign with MLS
- Recently began his fourth semester in U.S. Soccer's Full-Time U17 Residency Program in Bradenton, FL
- A creative player whose size and athleticism make him an excellent ball-winner on both offense and defense

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