MLS New York Red Bulls

Red Bulls Add Five Players In Busy 2010 MLS SuperDraft

Published on January 14, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


SECAUCUS, NJ (Jan. 14, 2010) - Red Bull New York added five players to their roster at Thursday's 2010 MLS SuperDraft, held at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. New York selected University of Virginia midfielder Tony Tchani and Wake Forest University midfielder Austin Da Luz in the first round (2nd, 14th overall, respectively), Saint Louis University defender Tim Ream in the second round (18th), University of San Francisco forward Conor Chinn in the third round (34th) and University of California - Irvine midfielder/forward Irving Garcia in the fourth round (50th). In addition, New York acquired defender Chris Albright from the New England Revolution in exchange for a second round (31st overall) pick and third round (48th overall) pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

Part of the 2010 MLS Generation adidas class, Tchani (pronounced CHA-nee) scored eight goals and recorded four assists in 2009. The 6-4, 185-pound midfielder earned spots on the ACC All-Tournament Team, NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team and All-ACC second team. In his freshman season in 2008, Tchani earned the ACC Freshman of the Year award, garnering nine goals and three assists. The 20-year-old 2009 First Team All-American from Norfolk, VA, was a key component in Virginia's NCAA Championship run last season. New York's second overall pick was the highest selection it has had in the draft since 2006, when it took defender Marvell Wynne out of UCLA with the first overall pick.

"My goals are first of all, to make the team, second, reach the playoffs and third, maybe win the MLS Cup," Tchani said. "All I can say is that I will do my best for my team."

Da Luz, 22, played four seasons at Wake Forest and was a 2009 First Team All-ACC selection. A left winger in college, Da Luz (pronounced dah-LOSE) played and started in 24 games last season, posting career-highs in goals (6) and assists (15). Over his career, the 5-10, 160-pounder from Winston-Salem, NC, featured in 83 games, scoring 11 goals and 39 assists. He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Nike Carolina Classic in 2008.

"I couldn't be more excited to go to such a high-profile organization. With a new coach, new stadium, everything looks amazing so I could not be more happy about it," Da Luz said.

With their third pick, the Red Bulls selected the 6-1, 160-pound Ream. In his four seasons, Ream, a central defender from St. Louis, MO, played in 82 games - missing only one match in his career. During his senior season, the NSCAA Third Team All-American and three-time NSCAA First Team All Mid Atlantic Region selection recorded six goals and five assists - earning the Atlantic-10 Conference Defender of the Year award.

In the third round, New York picked Chinn, a 6-0, 180-pound forward from San Diego, CA, who was the 2008 WCC Player of the Year after scoring a career-high 17 goals. In his senior season, Chinn, 22, was a 2009 First Team All-WCC selection, tallying 10 goals and three assists. He was a two-time All-Far West Region pick and played in 76 games over four years at USF.

The Red Bulls' final pick was Garcia, a 5-5, 140-pound 21-year-old from San Luis, AZ. Garcia was a NSCAA / Performance Subaru Third Team All-American, College Soccer News Second Team All-American and a 2008 First Team All-Big West selection. Last season, he scored eight goals and nine assists. He played 45 games in two seasons at Irvine.

Full Season Ticket Plans for the New York Red Bulls' first season at the brand new Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, NJ, are on sale now. Midfield seats in the 100-Level are already sold out, but good seats are still available. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

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