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MLS New York Red Bulls

Red Bulls Draft Richards, Ubiparipovic, Trades Arvizu

January 12, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


SECAUCUS, NJ (Friday, January 12, 2007) - In today's 2007 MLS SuperDraft in Indianapolis, Red Bull New York selected forward/midfielder Dane Richards from Clemson University with its second-round pick (19th overall) and forward/midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic from the University of Akron with its third-round pick (33rd overall). Red Bull New York also announced that it has traded forward David Arvizu to Chivas USA in exchange for a 2007 fourth round supplemental draft pick.

Richards, a 5'7", 153-pound 23-year-old from Montego Bay, Jamaica, scored a total of 23 goals and 17 assists over two years for the Tigers and has three caps with the full Jamaica National Team, one of them earned in a match against the U.S. in April 2006.

"We are very happy to have Dane Richards in New York for the upcoming '07 season," said Red Bull New York Technical Director Jeff Agoos. "He offers undeniable speed that is a commodity most players don't possess. We look forward to bringing a talented, bright young individual like Dane to our club."

"Bruce Arena called me earlier in the week and let me know that he was interested in drafting me," Richards said. "My only family in the United States lives in the New York area and I'm excited to play for the Red Bulls. I'll come in fit in the preseason and will do my best to help the Red Bulls have a successful season."

Coached by Trevor Adair, Richards earned a number of awards this past season. He was on the NSCAA All-America Second Team, NSCAA All-South First Team and Second Team All-ACC.

Prior to attending Clemson, Richards played for the San Jacinto Junior College in Houston, TX and was named the National Junior Player of the Year in 2004. Richards is a green card holder, meaning he will not use up an international slot on the Red Bulls' roster.

Ubiparipovic, a 5'9", 155-pound 23-year-old from Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the 2006 MAC Player of the Year, scored a combined 34 goals and notched 24 assists during his three years with the Zips and University of Illinois-Chicago, where he played his freshman year before transferring.

"Sinisa gives us added strength in the midfield and is a well-rounded, talented individual who will compete for a job as a midfielder," Agoos said. "With limited selections in this year's draft, we have added speed, strength and intelligence to our overall roster."

"I'm excited to play for the Red Bulls and I'm excited to play for Bruce Arena," Ubiparipovic said. "He is a good coach and I have great respect for him. I'm looking forward to it."

Ubiparipovic has earned a number of accolades, including first (2006) and second team (2005) All-Great Lakes Region honors and an NSCAA second team All-American selection (2005). Prior to college, Ubiparipovic attended Mentor High School in Mentor, OH, where the All-American was a two-time first team All-Lake Eric League selection as well as his conference's MVP in 2001.

David Arvizu did not see any first team action in 2006, but started in 10 reserve games and scored two goals. The Santa Ana, CA native was originally acquired by the Red Bulls in a league-wide weighted lottery on February 8, 2006.

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