MLS New England Revolution

Revolution adds seven in Thursday's MLS SuperDraft

Published on January 15, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


ST. LOUIS - The New England Revolution today selected seven players in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, which was conducted at the St. Louis Convention Center: America's Center. A pair of first-round selections - Indiana defender Kevin Alston and Tampa outside midfielder Ryan Maxwell - highlighted the class that included a league-high seven selections.

Also chosen were Creighton midfielder Andrei Gotsmanov, St. Louis midfielder Denaldin "Dado" Hamzagic, UNC-Charlotte forward Chris Salvaggione, Duke defender Darrius Barnes and Tulsa goalkeeper Tyrel Lacey.

"We're very pleased with our selections today," Revolution vice president of player personnel Michael Burns said. "We came into the draft with some areas we wanted to address and we believe we accomplished that with these selections. When we open our preseason camp on Feb. 2, we're going to have some good competition for spots on the field, and we believe that the seven players we chose today will be a big part of that."

Alston, 20, was a two-time All-Big Ten selection at collegiate power Indiana. The outside defender was also a NSCAA All-Great Lakes region selection and signed a Generation adidas contract after leaving the Hoosiers following his junior season. He is a former member of the U.S. Under-17 residential program and Under-17 national team. Alston played in the 2005 FIFA Under-17 Youth World Championship. In 64 career games with Indiana, Alston scored five goals and added two assists. He played his club soccer for the Potomac Cougars, D.C. United and FC Delco.

Maxwell, 25, was a two-time All-South regional selection out of the University of Tampa. The Jamaica native is a former member of his country's Under-20 national team. He played three seasons at Tampa after transferring from San Jacinto Junior College after his freshman year. In 55 career games at Tampa, he scored 16 goals - including 10 as a senior - and added 14 assists.

Gotsmanov, 22, was the 2008 Missouri Valley Conference player of the year and NSCAA first-team All-American after scoring 10 goals and four assists in 18 games. He began his collegiate career at St. John's in 2004, and transferred to Creighton to finish his career in 2007 and 2008. He was also a semifinalist for the 2008 MAC Hermann Trophy. Gotsmanov is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Belarus.

Hamzagic, who goes by the nickname "Dado," started 60 of 65 games in which he played in his career at St. Louis, but missed the last part of his senior season following an injury. He scored 15 goals and added 18 assists in those games, and was an all-region selection as a junior.

Salvaggione, 21, was the 2008 Atlantic-10 offensive player of the year as a senior following a 15-goal, eight-assist senior season at UNC-Charlotte. He also earned second-team All-America honors and was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. After two years at Gardner-Webb, Salvaggione notched 23 goals in 39 games at UNCC.

Barnes, 22, was an All-ACC selection as a senior defender after scoring one goal in 18 games in 2008. He played 76 games in his Blue Devil career and was named to the 2008 Duke/Nike Classic all-tournament team.

Lacey, 22, posted a 0.63 goals against average with eight shutouts at Tulsa this season, his first as the school's full-time starter. He went 14-4-3 while leading Tulsa to a school-record win total and an NCAA second-round showing. He was an All-Midwest regional selection, as well as a first-team All-Conference USA performer.

The Revolution begins the 2009 season at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 21, when the team travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Television and radio information for the match will be announced at a later date. The Revs open their 2009 home slate on Saturday, April 4, when they host FC Dallas. Ticket information - for season tickets and special four-game packs - is available at revolutionsoccer.net.

New England Revolution 2009 MLS SuperDraft Selections

Kevin Alston - First Round (10th Overall)

Pronunciation: ALL-ston

Position: Defender

D.O.B.: May 5, 1988

Height: 5-8

Weight: 160 lbs. Hometown: Silver Spring, Md. College: Indiana University

Youth Club: Potomac Cougars

Status: Generation adidas/Developmental

Acquired: Drafted by the Revolution in the first round (10th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.

Ryan Maxwell - First Round (15th overall)

Position: Midfielder

D.O.B.: Sept. 1, 1983

Height: 5-9

Weight: 165 lbs.

Hometown: Clarendon, Jamaica

College: University of Tampa

Youth Club: Portmore United

Acquired: Drafted by the Revolution in the first round (15th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Andrei Gotsmanov - Second Round (24th overall)

Pronunciation: GOTS-mah-nov

Position: Midfielder

D.O.B.: May 6, 1986

Height: 6-0

Weight: 175 lbs.

Hometown: Egan, Minn.

College: Creighton University

Youth Club: St. Croix Club

Acquired: Drafted by the Revolution in the second round (24th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Denaldin Hamzagic - Second Round (25th overall)

Pronunciation: hahm-ZAGH-itch

Position: Midfielder

D.O.B.: N/A

Height: 5-10

Weight: 165 lbs.

Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.

College: Saint Louis University

Youth Club: Busch Soccer Club

Acquired: Drafted by the Revolution in the second round (25th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Chris Salvaggione - Third Round (38th overall)

Position: Forward

D.O.B.: April 7, 1987

Height: 5-11

Weight: 170

Hometown: Monument, Colo.

College: UNC-Charlotte

Youth Club: Colorado Rush

Acquired: Drafted by the Revolution in the third round (38th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Darrius Barnes - Third Round (40th overall)

Pronunciation: DARE-ee-us

Position: Defender

D.O.B.: December 24, 1986

Height: 6-1

Weight: 175

Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.

College: Duke

Youth Club: Triangle Football Club

Acquired: Drafted by the Revolution in the third round (40th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

Tyrel Lacey - Fourth Round (55th overall)

Pronunciation: tuh-RELL LAY-see

Position: Goalkeeper

D.O.B.: Feb. 8, 1986

Height: 6-4

Weight: 197

Hometown: Jenks, Okla.

College: Tulsa

Youth Club: Tulsa Nationals

Acquired: Drafted by the Revolution in the fourth round (55th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft

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Major League Soccer Stories from January 15, 2009


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