Round 1, pick 1 - Alecko Eskandarian - Forward Height: 5-8 Weight: 160 Born: July 9, 1982 Hometown: Montvale, NJ College: University of Virginia (Nike Project-40) - In 2002, recorded a team-high 54 points resulting from a team-high 25 goals and four assists - In 2002, named the 2002 ACC Player of the Year, named to the First Team All-ACC, ACC All-Tournament team, M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Award finalist and selected to the NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region First Team - In 2001, recorded 1,321 minutes of playing time, second on the team with 21 points from a team-high nine goals with three assists - Selected as the 2000 Gatorade National Player of the Year and named a NSCAA/adidas All-American ------------------------------------------------- Round 1, Pick 5 - David Stokes - Defender Height: 6-3 Weight: 195 Born: May 28, 1982 Hometown: Dumfries, VA College: University of North Carolina (Project 40) - Played with the U.S. U-23 National Team in February 2002 in Portugal and Italy - Started every UNC game in his three-year career (71 in a row) and led a defensive unit allowing just 0.73 goals per game - Named Defensive MVP of the 2001 NCAA College Cup - In 2002, named one of 15 finalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy
Round 2, Pick 1 - Brian Carroll - Midfielder Height: 5-10 Weight: 150 Born: July 20, 1981 Hometown: Springfield, Va. College: Wake Forest (Nike Project 40) - NSCAA First Team All-South, First Team All-ACC, one of 15 finalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy - Has not missed a game in his Wake Forest, starting in all 61 games since his freshman year - Competed during the spring and summer 2002 in Italy, England and Portugal with the U-23, scoring twice vs Bolton - spring of 2001 with the U-20 National Team competing in Trinidad, France and at the World Youth Championships in Argentina ------------------------------------------------- Round 2, Pick 4 - Doug Warren - Goalkeeper Height: 6-0 Weight: 165 Hometown: Palatine, IL College: Clemson University - 2002 First team National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Americans - Selected to the 2002 second-team All-ACC - Member of the U.S. Under 23, U19 and U17 National Teams - Two-time first-team All-ACC in 2001 and 2000
Round 4, Pick 1 - Hayden Woodworth - Midfielder Height: 5-9 Weight: 155 Born: December 12, 1980 Hometown: Boothwyn, PA College: Messiah College - 2002 Division III Player of the Year - 2-time NCAA Division III All-American in 2000 & 2002 - Led Messiah to national championships in ’00 (SO) and ’02 (SR) - Led Messiah to wins over the A-League Hershey Wildcats in April ’01 and a mixed reserve and 1st team squad from Dutch club BVO Emmen in August ’01, as well as a draw against the A-League Charlotte Eagles (April ’02). ------------------------------------------------- Round 5, Pick 1 - John Swann - Defender Height: 5-10 Weight: 180 Born: September 27, 1979 Hometown: Brownsburg, IN College: Indiana University - 2002 first-team All-American - Three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and a unanimous choice as a senior. - A Three-year starter and team co-captain. - Member of the Hoosiers’ 1999 National Championship team.
Round 6, Pick 1 - Michael Behonick - Goalkeeper Height: 6-2 Weight: 180 Born: January 3, 1981 Hometown: Bohemia, N.Y College: American University - Named to 2002 Penn State/Nike Classic All-Tournament Team. - 2001 All-Patriot League Second-Team honors - In 2002, posted a 1.07 goals-against average and a .817 save percentage and six shutouts - Stopped decisive PK in 2001 Patriot League Championship match against Holy Cross to help American to first NCAA appearance since 1997
this guy swann was an "all american" does that mean he was one of the Best XI in college? how does he slip down so far? (i ask out of ignorance, i know zero about the college game--although some of you may think i know nothing about the pro game too )
The big question now is which of these players have signed contracts? Usually, there are a few drafted players (like Beach a few years ago), who teams draft just to hold their rights and hope they sign within a year or two. Most of the players, though, are usually signed before the draft. All the P-40 players are signed. Is Woodworth one of those unsigned players? I read somewhere that he was drafted by MISL, which would lead me to believe he hasn't signed a MLS contract.
I don't know why Swann slipped so low. I think his lack of speed might have to do with it. He's a bruiser, very physical but sound. He never seemed fast but used his soccer IQ and toughness to compensate. He drove me crazy as a Penn State fan with the way he manhandled the Nittany Lion forwards, but he's a rock. I don't know that he'll make a team, he might be too slow to be a wingback and not dominate enough in the air to play centrally. As for the question about All-American status not equating to MLS success, it's very true. There have been a lot of All-Americans who don't make the league because of their age, citizenship, or the abundance of good players floating around. Also, very few of MLS draftees have signed contracts. Only the P40s and a few "can't-miss" seniors signed. Otherwise the league takes a "wait-and-see" policy. Also, leagues like the MISL and A-League have drafts but that doesn't mean players go there.
thanks hax for sharing your knowledge of the guys. also props to joew, ursual, tron and the rest of you for the great draft analysis on other threads. great for those of us who don't follow the school ball.
Big ups to DIII! Messiah's gone have a field day promoting the fact that one of their kids was drafted. I think only a handful of DIII kids have made it to MLS. I know Dan Calichman is one...
Amos Magee of D3 Wesleyan bounced around the league. He scored 2 goals for Chicago in 2002 and played for Tampa Bay for a season or two, he also lead Minnesota to an A-League title.
D-III Players in the MLS I count 11 D-III players that have made it to the MLS. D-III PLAYERS IN THE MLS DAVE SALZWEDEL | Goalkeeper | California Lutheran University 1996-1997 - San Jose Clash DAN CALICHMAN | Defender | Williams College 1996-1998 Los Angeles Galaxy 1999-2000 New England Revolution 2000 San Jose Earthquakes JIMMY GLENN | Forward | Rochester University 1996 Dallas Burn 1998 Columbus Crew LOUIS KEN-KWOFIE | Midfielder | Montclair State (NJ) 1996 MetroStars ANDRE NUNLEY | Defender | Colorado College 1998 - Colorado Rapids PETTER VILLEGAS | Midfielder | Kean University 1999-2002 MetroStars 2002 - D.C. United GREG SUTTON | Goalkeeper | St. Lawrence University 1999-2000 - Chicago Fire NANSHA KALONJI | Defender | Ramapo College (NJ) 1999 MetroStars LANCE KEY | Defender | Trinity College 2000-2001 Colorado Rapids AMOS MAGEE | Forward | Wesleyan University 2000 Tampa Bay Mutiny 2001-2002 Chicago Fire JEFF MOORE | Midfielder | Richard Stockton College 2002 MetroStars
there were several other players in the fourth and latter rounds that were all-americans. because of the olympics, and the fact that ussf wanted all of its players associated with professional teams, it caused an extra ordinary number of underclassmen to declare early. combine that with the second fact that mls expanded its reserve roster by two, and every team had to try to fill those slots with non salary/roster p-40's, then you have all the first rounds being filled with underclassmen. being a senior this season was a bad thing!
Jimmy played for the Rochester Rhinos, but he played college soccer at Clemson. And Jimmy was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary team: http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/clem/sports/m-soccer/auto_pdf/postseason02-notes.pdf
>I think only a handful of DIII kids have made it to MLS. I know Dan Calichman is one...> Another one who made it this year is a graduate of the same college as Calichman--Williams College in Williamstown, MA (my alma mater). He is Alex Blake, a forward from Jamaica and Williams College's all-time leading scorer. He was drafted by the Rapids in the third round.
Aleck...,Swann, et.al. Yeah, MLS is youngster happy these days. Fad -- who can say? FWIW, Swann SHUTT Alecko down when IU played UVA in a preseason game. Shut him down! Eskandarian scored a goal off a mistake by the sweeper (converted midfielder), but otherwise Swann owned him. This is John's MO -- no respect, but he always finds a way to beat his man. That's what I'd be looking for in a defender....... BRF