Sporting Kansas City Selects Three in Supplemental Draft
Published on January 18, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City selected three players in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft on Tuesday, adding college seniors Sam Scales, Mike Jones and Michael Mravec to the team's preseason squad.
"These are guys that we have seen over the past couple of years who we think have a chance of making our roster," Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said. "With the re-introduction of the reserve league, there are spots available to provide depth and play in reserve league games, and we hope these three guys will be able to do that for us."
Ohio State midfielder Sam Scales, 21, was chosen with the 10th overall pick in the 1st round after a four-year collegiate career in which he started all but one game from his sophomore through senior seasons. In 2010, he tallied two goals and four assists to bring his career totals to five goals and 15 assists as a Buckeye. As a junior, Scales led the team in points (11) and assists (7).
As a freshman, Scales teamed up with Sporting defender Roger Espinoza and fellow 2011 draft pick Konrad Warzycha, taken by Kansas City in the 3rd round (46th overall) of last week's MLS SuperDraft, as OSU were runners-up in the 2007 National Championship.
In the second round, Sporting selected Missouri native Mike Jones, 22, from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville with the 28th overall pick. Jones, who attended Fort Zumwalt South High School in St. Peters, Missouri prior to committing to SIUE, appeared in 60 games for the Cougars, recording six goals and two assists from the backline. As a senior centerback in 2010, Jones helped lead SIUE to seven shutouts in 19 games and was chosen Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference.
The final addition came in the third round with the selection of 23-year-old midfielder Michal Mravec with the 46th overall selection out of the University of Alabama - Birmingham. Mravec, a native of Slovakia who also played youth soccer in Atlanta, Georgia, compiled five goals and nine assists from 2007-2010 in 71 games for the Blazers. He was a back-to-back Third Team All-Conference USA selection the final two years of his collegiate career.
The Supplemental Draft returned after a two-year hiatus as a mechanism for all 18 MLS teams to acquire additional amateur players following selections in last week's MLS SuperDraft. Several of Kansas City's selections through the Supplemental Draft have become key contributors for the club in the past, including Paul Wright, Ryan Tinsley, Brandon Prideaux and Aaron Hohlbein.
Full details and comments from each player are below.
Sam Scales
On the opportunity ahead...
I'm very excited. It's the sort of thing you dream about when you're a kid playing soccer. It's kind of one of those things where you're a kid growing up, you dream about opportunities like this. For something to follow through and for someone to believe you and give you the opportunity, it's amazing.
On his playing style...
I'm a hard working player. Any environment I have ever gone into, I always put in my best effort. My technical abilities are something I'll definitely rely upon. I also think about the game. I watch a lot of film and keep up with players in the league and different types of formation to make sure I'm informed about what I'm doing on and off the field.
Sam Scales - 10th Overall (1st Round) Position: Midfielder Birthday: 06/14/1989 Height: 5-10 Weight: 170 College: Ohio State Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky Citizenship: USA
Mike Jones
On his playing style...
I'm one of those players who just works really hard. I started playing defense my freshman year of college and my coaches knew I had some talent at it. I'm just one of those small players that works hard. Defense is my passion now. I'll do whatever it takes to be the best that I can be.
On being a Missouri native...
My hometown is St. Louis. That's always been home to me, so it's awesome to get a chance in Kansas City. I'll be familiar with the area and won't be too far away from home.
Mike Jones - 28th overall (2nd Round) Position: Defender Born: 08/19/1988 Height: 6-2 Weight: 180 College: SIUE Hometown: St. Peters, Mo Citizenship: USA
Michal Mravec
On the opportunity ahead...
I'm definitely excited. I've been waiting for an opportunity to go ahead and play professionally. I've been working hard and staying in shape over the Christmas break and the past couple months since the season ended. I'm very, very glad I got picked up by Kansas City. I'm going to come up there and try to be sharp and do my best.
On his international background...
I grew up in Slovakia and went through all the youth categories over there, from u6 all the way until u21. MéK éilina was my team, the same club that played in Champions League last season. I left there at age of 20 to play at UAB and stayed here for four years to use all my years of eligibility and I had a great time over here. Right now, I'm just getting ready for preseason and preparing as best I can.
Michal Mravec - 46th Overall (3rd Round) Position: Midfielder Born: 06/10/1987 Height: 6-3 Weight: 180 College: University of Alabama - Birmingham Hometown: Zilina, Slovakia Citizenship: Slovakia
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
