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Youth Rules at SuperDraft

January 17, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


KANSAS CITY (Friday, January 17, 2003) - University of Virginia forward Alecko Eskandarian, the 2002 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, was selected by D.C. United with the first overall pick in today's MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas in Kansas City. Held in conjunction with the 56th annual Convention of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, today's six-round draft featured the selection of 60 players.

"To be the first overall selection is a tremendous honor," said Eskandarian. "I'm an East Coast guy, but I understand that this is professional soccer and you've got to prove yourself wherever you go. I can't wait to start my professional career."

Eskandarian opened the floodgates for five consecutive NIKE Project-40 signees to be selected, as Ricardo Clark (Furman/MetroStars), Nate Jaqua (Portland/Chicago Fire), Mike Magee (U.S. U-20 National Team) and David Stokes (North Carolina/D.C. United) followed the former University of Virginia standout.

After Stanford defender Todd Dunivant (San Jose Earthquakes) and SMU midfielder Diego Walsh (Columbus Crew) came off the board in picks six and seven, the final Project-40 signee of the first round was selected. U.S. U-17 National Team standout Guillermo "Memo" Gonzalez, a Paramount, Calif., native, stays home and joins the defending MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy.

"I'm very glad to be in Los Angeles because I will have the opportunity to play near home and be close to my family," said Gonzalez, a Mexican-American considered to be one of the most creative young midfielders ever produced in the United States. "I'm very happy right now, and I want to finish my work with the U-17s and the World Cup Qualifying. After that I hope to obtain a starting position next year with the Galaxy and continue to work hard. Ultimately, my goal is to play on the senior national team - of the United States, of course."

The first round wrapped up with the New England Revolution taking Indiana University forward Pat Noonan and the Dallas Burn trading up with the Galaxy to select University of Connecticut defender Shavar Thomas. The Huskie strongman joins former UCONN teammate Chris Gbandi, who was selected #1 in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft by Dallas.

Another four Project-40 players were taken during the first five picks of the second round, as Brian Carroll (Wake Forest/D.C. United), Eddie Gaven (U.S. U-17 National Team/MetroStars), Arturo Alvarez (U.S. Under-18 National Team/San Jose Earthquakes) and Jason Thompson (Eastern Illinois/Dallas Burn) brought the day's Pro-40 total to 10 in the first 15 picks. The remaining three Project-40 signees - Clemson defender Ricky Lewis (Los Angeles Galaxy), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire) and Jacob LeBlanc (MetroStars) were selected 20th, 24th and 42nd respectively.

Gaven, the youngest player signed in MLS history at 16 years and 2 months, also gets the chance to develop his professional skills in his own backyard. The Hamilton, New Jersey native joins U-17 teammate and star forward Mike Magee under the tutelage of MetroStars Head Coach Bob Bradley.

As a result of the 2003 SuperDraft, MLS teams have until Tuesday, January 21 to cut their rosters to 29 players (23 senior, 6 developmental). Two days later, a waiver draft will be held (IF NECESSARY). The pool for this conditional draft will include those players waived on Tuesday, as well as any players submitted by the teams to the League player pool. Teams will have until Monday, March 17, before they must be in final compliance with the League's 24-player roster limit.

Major League Soccer's eighth season opens on Saturday, April 5 as the Columbus Crew host the Los Angeles Galaxy live on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. ET.

2003 MLS SUPERDRAFT - Selected Friday, January 17, 2003 Kansas City Convention Center, Bartle Hall

Round 1- 2003 MLS SuperDraft

Pick # Team Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Born Hometown College/Last Club
1 D.C. United Alecko Eskandarian F 5-8 160 07-09-82 Montvale, NJ Virginia / P-40
2 MetroStars Ricardo Clark M 5-10 140 02-10-83 Jonesboro, GA Furman/ P-40
3 Chicago Nate Jaqua F 6-3 180 10-28-81 Eugene, OR Portland/ P-40
4 *MetroStars Mike Magee F 5-9 150 09-02-84 Long Grove, IL Project-40/ U20 MNT
5. D.C. United David Stokes D 6-3 195 05-28-82 Dumfries, VA North Carolina / P-40
6. San Jose Todd Dunivant D 6-0 174 12-26-80 Wheat Ridge, CO Stanford
7. Columbus Diego Walsh M 6-0 180 12-08-79 Miami, FL Southern Methodist
8. Los Angeles Guillermo Gonzalez M 5-11 145 01-04-86 Paramount, CA Project-40 / U17 MNT
9. New England Pat Noonan F 6-0 170 08-02-80 Ballwin, MO Indiana
10. @Dallas Shavar Thomas D 6-1 195 01-29-81 Kingston, Jamaica Connecticut


* The MetroStars obtained the 4th overall selection from Dallas in exchange for M Brad Davis
@ Dallas obtained the 10th overall selection from Los Angeles in exchange for the 12th and 55th overall selections

Round 2 - 2003 MLS SuperDraft

Pick # Team Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Born Hometown College/Last Club
11. D.C. United Brian Carroll M 5-10 150 07-20-81 Springfield, VA Wake Forest / P-40
12. @ MetroStars Eddie Gaven M 6-0 145 10-25-86 Hamilton, NJ Project-40/ U17 MNT
13. % San Jose Arturo Alvarez F 5-9 145 06-28-85 Houston, TX Project-40/ U18 MNT
14. D.C. United Doug Warren GK 6-0 165 03-18-81 Palatine, IL Clemson
15. Dallas Jason Thompson F 6-1 185 11-22-81 Garland, TX E. Illinois / P-40
16. $ Los Angeles Scot Thompson D 6-0 180 02-11-81 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA UCLA
17. # MetroStars Tim Regan D/M 6-1 170 06-27-81 Orland Hills, IL Bradley Univ.
18. Chicago Damani Ralph F 6-0 170 11-06-80 Kingston, Jamaica Connecticut
19. *Los Angeles Arturo Torres F 6-1 165 12-11-80 Wilmington, CA Loyola Marymount
20. Los Angeles Ricky Lewis D 6-0 170 05-29-82 Spring, TX Clemson / P-40

* Los Angeles obtained the 19th overall selection from New England in exchange for GK Matt Reis and the rights to F Alex Pineda Chacon
@ The MetroStars obtained the 12th overall selection from Los Angeles in exchange for the MetroStars' natural First-Round pick in 2004
% San Jose obtained the 13th overall pick and a conditional 2004 pick from Kansas City in exchange for D Jimmy Conrad
$ Los Angeles obtained the 16th overall pick from San Jose in exchange for F Brian Mullan
# The MetroStars obtained the 17th overall pick from Columbus in exchange for D Nelson Akwari and the MetroStars' natural Second-Round pick in 2004

Round 3 - 2003 MLS SuperDraft

Pick # Team Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Born Hometown College/Last Club
21. Dallas David Comfort GK 6-5 200 07-27-81 Richmond, VA Virginia
22. New England Dimelon Westfield F 5-9 165 10-05-79 Morvant, Trinidad Clemson
23. San Jose Roger Levesque F 6-2 174 01-22-81 Portland, ME Stanford
24. Chicago Logan Pause D 5-10 155 08-22-81 Hillsborough, NC North Carolina / P-40
25. Chicago Ryan Mack M 5-10 160 11-13-79 Beverly Hills, MI Indiana
26. Chicago Phil Swenda F 5-8 165 04-22-81 Downington, PA Seton Hall
27. * Colorado Jason Cole D/M 5-10 180 09-26-80 Raytown, MO St. Louis University
28. Colorado Alex Blake F 6-1 176 10-14-80 Kingston, Jamaica Williams College
29. New England Kyle Singer GK 5-11 175 08-06-80 Plymouth, MN Boston College
30. MetroStars Tim Glowienka D 5-9 165 08-10-80 Oak Ridge, TN South Carolina

* Colorado obtained the 27th overall selection from Columbus in exchange for their natural Third-Round pick in 2004 and the 58th overall selection in 2003

Round 4 - 2003 MLS SuperDraft

Pick # Team Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Born Hometown College/Last Club
31. D.C. United Hayden Woodworth M 5-9 155 12-12-80 Boothwyn, PA Messiah College
32. MetroStars Kenny Arena M 6-1 175 02-06-81 Fairfax, VA Virginia
33. Kansas City Taylor Graham D 6-4 190 06-03-80 Fair Oaks, CA Stanford
34. Dallas Mike Tranchilla F 5-10 165 06-09-81 Barnhart, MO Creighton
35. * Chicago Rob Friend F 6-4 205 01-23-81 Kelowna, BC Santa Barbara
36. San Jose Josh Saunders GK 6-4 210 03-02-81 Lake Forest, CA California
37. Columbus Michael Ritch F 6-3 190 04-26-81 Tallassee, AL Auburn-Montgomery
38. Colorado Matt Crawford M 5-10 160 08-20-80 North Carolina North Carolina
39. San Jose Jamil Walker D 5-11 165 04-21-81 Pittsford, NY Santa Clara
40. Los Angeles Hamid Mehreioskouei F 5-11 160 02-15-81 Schaumburg, IL Bradley

* Chicago obtained the 35th overall selection from Dallas for their natural 2004 Third-Round pick

Round 5 - 2003 MLS SuperDraft

Pick # Team Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Born Hometown College/Last Club
41. D.C. United John Swann D 5-10 180 09-27-79 Brownsburg, IN Indiana
42. MetroStars Jacob LeBlanc M 5-11 180 02-02-81 Palo Alto, CA Virginia
43. Kansas City Jack Jewsbury M/F 6-0 185 04-13-81 Springfield, MO St. Louis University
44. Chicago Chad Dombrowski D 6-1 175 08-05-80 West Allis, WI Wisconsin-Milwaukee
45. Dallas Michael Mariscalco M 5-11 170 08-27-80 Dayton, OH Butler University
46. San Jose Johanes Maliza M 5-8 160 09-10-81 Chicago, IL Stanford
47. Columbus Guy Abrahamson M 5-10 165 01-03-81 Livingston, NJ Rutgers
48. Colorado Casey Schmidt F 6-0 175 06-16-81 Newbury Park, CA Boston College
49. * MetroStars Marco Velez D 06-26-80 Barry University
50. Los Angeles Jimmy Frazelle M 5-10 150 04-10-80 Folsam, CA UCLA

* The MetroStars obtained the 49th overall pick from New England in exchange for their natural Sixth-Round Pick in 2004

Round 6 - 2003 MLS SuperDraft

Pick # Team Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Born Hometown College/Last Club
51. D.C. United Michael Behonick GK 6-2 180 01-03-81 Bohemia, NY American University
52. Dallas Andy Rosenband F 5-7 160 04-16-80 Hammond, IN Ohio State
53. Kansas City Kevin Friedland D 5-8 154 10-03-81 Irvine, CA Southern Methodist
54. Chicago Ryan Futagaki M 5-7 150 01-17-80 Fountain Valley, CA UCLA
55. Los Angeles Joe Barton GK 6-1 185 07-01-81 San Marcos, CA Cal. State - Northridge
56. San Jose Frank Sanfilippo F 5-10 165 09-08-81 San Diego, CA San Jose State
57. New England PASS
58. Columbus Jake Traeggar D 5-11 165 04-27-81 Littleton, CO Ohio State
59. D.C. United PASS
60. * Kansas City Byron Carmichael F 6-1 170 10-11-81 Lumberton, NJ Marshall

* Kansas City obtained the 60th overall pick from Los Angeles in exchange for their natural Sixth-Round pick in 2004

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