MLS New York Red Bulls

Metrostars Land U-17 Standout David Arvizu in weighted Lottery

Published on February 8, 2006 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


ECAUCUS, NJ (Wednesday, February 8, 2006) - The MetroStars announced today that they won the rights to US U-17 standout and Generation adidas player David Arvizu in a weighted lottery conducted today at MLS Headquarters in New York. As a member of the U.S. Youth system joining MLS after the annual SuperDraft, Arvizu was made available to all twelve MLS teams through a weighted lottery. The MetroStars, with a 23.5 percent chance of acquiring the rights to Arvizu, were selected over Chivas USA (54.5 percent chance), the Colorado Rapids (18 percent), D.C. United (3 percent) and Houston 1836 (1 percent) after seven teams elected not to participate in the lottery.

"It's not every day you win the lottery. The odds were against us, but as they say, ‘you have to be in it to win it'" said MetroStars President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "David is a talented young player with incredible potential and we look forward to having him join the MetroStars family."

"I am really excited to be part of the MetroStars and Major League Soccer," said Arvizu. "I know that Mo and Alexi want to play an attacking style of soccer, and I think that I will fit well into their plan."

Arvizu, a 17-year old from Santa Ana, California, joined the US Soccer residency program in Bradenton, Florida in the fall of 2004 and has since made 13 international appearances with the U-17 team and tallied four goals. In 2005 he was second on the team in appearances with 32 (starting 27 of those games), and registered eight goals and six assists. In 2004 he appeared in 16 games (starting 10) scoring seven goals, and notching three assists.

"I am very happy that we were able to get David," said MetroStars Head Coach Mo Johnston. "I saw him play with the U-17's and I was very impressed, so Alexi and I jumped at the opportunity to be in this lottery. He probably would have been a top pick in this year's draft if he were in it. It is another important step for the club in building for the future by adding another young player."

Arvizu becomes the second member of the US-17's to join the MetroStars this season, joining Josmer Altidore, who was selected by the MetroStars with the 17th overall pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft on January 20th.

"David is a very versatile player who will certainly be a good addition to the club," said Altidore. "I know him very well from having played with him with the U-17's and I am very excited to play with him again at the professional level."

This marks the fourth lottery that the MetroStars have won. The other three were for Nelson Akwari (August 12, 2002), DJ Countess (August 7, 2001) and Joey DiGiamarino (March 31, 2003).

A team's chances of winning the weighted lottery are determined by a formula which combines each team's performance over its last 32 regular season games (points earned) with points that are assigned based on each team's performance in the most recent postseason. Playoff point values are assigned as follows: failure to qualify for playoffs (0 points), eliminated in Conference Semifinals (2 points), eliminated in Conference Championship (4 points), MLS Cup runner-up (6 points), and MLS Cup Champion (8 points).

The team with the lowest combined regular season points (over last 32 games) and most recent playoff point value will have the greatest probability of winning the lottery. A set percentage chance is attached to each team giving teams with lower point total a higher percentage chance of winning.

Teams are not required to participate in the lottery. Any team assigned a player through the lottery in any particular season shall not be assigned another lottery player that season unless and until all teams have received a lottery player or have agreed to waive their option to participate in a lottery. If a team elects to not participate in a lottery, the chances of winning will be adjusted accordingly.

Name Note: When referencing the MetroStars in any print or broadcast media, please note that the team name no longer includes "New York/New Jersey" or "NY/NJ". The team should be solely referred to as the "MetroStars". In addition, if you would like to abbreviate the name, please do so as "Metros" not "Metro".

www.MetroStars.com

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