MLS Adds Two Top Prospects
January 13, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
CARSON, Calif. - Major League Soccer enhanced its player pool yet again Monday by signing U.S. Under-23 National Team defender Chris Wingert and talented college freshman Ramon Nunez. Both players will be eligible for selection at the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, held this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.
Wingert, who guided St. John's University to the NCAA Division I College Cup Final, was rewarded for his efforts with the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top college soccer player.
The 21-year-old defender has been the anchor of the Red Storm defense for the past four years. In addition to winning the Hermann Trophy, he was honored this year as the BIG EAST Player of the Year and a first team All-American.
At the end of December, Wingert was named to the U.S. U-23 National Team, which will compete for a berth in the 2004 Athens Olympics at the final round of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in Guadalajara, Mexico in February. Wingert is currently training with the U-23s at the National Training Center in Carson, Calif.
Ramon Nunez, 18, leaves Southern Methodist University for MLS after his freshman year, forgoing his remaining three years of college eligibility. In his only season at SMU, Nunez led the team in points and assists and was named to the NSCAA All-Midwest Region first team.
Prior to college, Nunez was named to the Parade All-America first team twice and in 2002, he was selected the nation's top recruit by Soccer America.
Nunez, a resident of Dallas who was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, will enter MLS as a youth international, meaning he qualifies for developmental player roster protection.
Wingert and Nunez become the latest top prospects to join the League.
In November, Freddy Adu, widely considered the best young player in the world, signed a deal with MLS and D.C. United has announced it will take Adu with the first pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft this Friday in Charlotte, N.C.
Last week, eight college and national program stars signed with the League through Nike Project-40. Fresh off solid performances at the 2003 World Youth Championship, goalkeeper Steve Cronin, defenders Chad Marshall and Ryan Cochrane, midfielder Ned Grabavoy and forward Clint Dempsey all committed to MLS. At the same time, college stars Josh Gardner, a midfielder from the University of Cincinnati, and Clarence Goodson, a defender from the University of Maryland, also decided to join the League. U.S. Under-17 standout Michael Bradley rounds out the list of last week's signings.
Major League Soccer Stories from January 13, 2004
- Earthquakes Comment on Moore's Resignation - San Jose Earthquakes
- Tom Soehn Joins Nowak's Staff - D.C. United
- San Jose Earthquakes Acquire 2005 Third Round SuperDraft Selection From Columbus Crew - San Jose Earthquakes
- Crew Acquires Midfielder Manny Lagos from San Jose for Draft Pick - Columbus Crew SC
- Rapids Weekly Report - Colorado Rapids
- Galaxy Looking for Next Star at 2004 MLS SuperDraft - LA Galaxy
- D.C. United in the Community - D.C. United
- MLS Adds Two Top Prospects - MLS
- MetroStars Announce Formation of U-15 Team - New York Red Bulls
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