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MLS SuperDraft Quotesheet
Posted: Sunday January 19, 2003 1:20 PM
Following are quotes from some of the participants in Friday's
MLS SuperDraft at the Kansas City Convention Center:
Quotes are included from the following participants (listed alphabetically), courtesy of MLSnet.com:
Arturo Alvarez - San Jose Earthquakes
Greg Andrulis - Head Coach, Columbus Crew
Bob Bradley - Head Coach, MetroStars
Ricardo Clark - MetroStars
Todd Dunivant - San Jose Earthquakes
Alecko Eskandarian - D.C. United
Eddie Gaven - MetroStars
Memo Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy
Ray Hudson - Head Coach, D.C. United
Nate Jaqua - Chicago Fire
Mike Jeffries - Head Coach, Dallas Burn
Mike Magee - MetroStars
Pat Noonan - New England Revolution
Dave Sarachan - Head Coach, Chicago Fire
Sigi Schmid - Head Coach, Los Angeles Galaxy
Shavar Thomas - Dallas Burn
Frank Yallop - Head Coach, San Jose Earthquakes
Alecko Eskandarian - D.C. United
On the emotions of being selected first:
"You get drafted once in your life. I didn't know how to react
or how to feel. I was hoping I would go No. 1 but obviously there are
no guarantees. I had a lot of butterflies and I was as nervous as anyone
else. I'm happy."
On the MAC Hermann Trophy season he enjoyed in 2002:
"I got a lot of support from my teammates this year and I was focused
on doing what I can do to help my team win. My teammates are like my brothers
and I'll do my best to help them win. I worked hard and got some
results."
On the competition with United with forwards Santino Quaranta and
Earnie Stewart:
"They're not my competition but my teammates. I look forward
to going in and meshing with them. I'm going to work my hardest and
hope I can get on the field. All those players (Santino Quaranta, Earnie
Stewart) are great players. We'll see how we can complement each
other and help our team win."
On his goals with United:
"This is my dream come true and I'm going to take it as far
as I can. I'm hoping for big things. I'm going to work my hardest
to continue improving and getting better to help D.C. United."
On succeeding his father Andranik in the American professional soccer
ranks:
"It's awesome. It's funny how things come full circle and
one generation passes it on to another. His team was one of the country's
best teams and I'm hoping I can be as lucky and win some championships
as he did in the NASL."
On Ray Hudson's comments about his father (Andranik Eskandarian):
"My dad wasn't the cleanest of players. He was a tough guy.
I picked up some scars from him too playing against him in the backyard."
On whether he has ever trained with D.C. United while at the University
of Virginia:
"I've never trained with DC. I played against them once in preseason
with the University of Virginia. I'm looking forward to finally getting
the chance to work on a daily basis with those players."
On Ray Hudson's words in the newspapers about him:
"What I've learned over the years is you can never believe what
you read. It was a huge complement what he (Ray Hudson) said about me.
But until it becomes reality ..."
Ray Hudson - Head Coach, D.C. United
On his evaluation of Alecko Eskandarian:
"He's a picnic of a player and I'm looking forward to working
with him and developing him and he'll be among a tremendous group
of players in a vibrant and character-filled room. He's wonderful."
On whether Eskandarian will be a starter:
"It'll be very much a competition for a starting place, absolutely.
It's going to be a dogfight for all places in D.C. both at the back
and in the front. It'll be a good fight between him and (Santino)
Quaranta I think for that second spot alongside Earnie (Stewart). That's
the way it should be - he has to earn it. The same goes for Earnie and
Santino."
On when he knew he wanted to select him:
"All the way along I knew I wanted to make this pick. As soon as
we knew he was under contract with the League we knew that was it. We
had some offers but it had to be crazy to take him away."
On whether he played against Alecko's father Andranik:
"Yes, I played against his father (Andranik). I still have the scars
on my right leg to prove it in case no one believes me. "Eski"
was a great player himself - a tremendous competitor and lovely soccer
player. It's out of a great gene pool that this guy (Alecko) is from."
Memo Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy
"I'm very glad to be in LA because I will have the opportunity to
play near home and be close to my family."
On his expectations:
"First 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
and continue to work hard."
On being a high profile Latino youth player:
"I'm very proud to have been selected by LA and to become a professional
player. I just want to keep working hard for the team and earn my way
to a starting position. I want to thank my family, parents and my brother,
Ruben, who have been instrumental in my success. My long term goal is
to play on the senior national team - of the USA of course."
On the emotions of being selected by his hometown Los Angeles Galaxy:
"There were a lot of nerves going through me just thinking whether
they were going to pick me or not. I was really excited when my name was
announced. Playing in LA and staying at home is a great advantage for
me. I'm very happy right now."
On what Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid has told him through the years:
"He's always encouraged me to work hard on both sides of the
ball. He always told me it doesn't matter what age. Just to work
harder, realize what I can do and go out and do it."
On his schedule for the upcoming season:
"With the Under-17 National Team I'm hoping to finish my high
school. Of course we're going to qualify and then win the Under-17
World Championships. That's how it's going to happen. Then I'm
going to come to L.A. when the world championships are over."
On his proximity to the Galaxy's new stadium:
"The stadium is only 10-15 minutes away from my home. I want to stay
with my family at least for this first year. After that we'll see
what happens."
On the fans he will bring to the Galaxy's stadium:
"I hope to have a couple of sections of fans. As long as my community
supports me and comes out and watches, that's great."
On Galaxy players he's familiar with:
"Guys like Mauricio Cienfuegos and Carlos Ruiz are great players.
I learn a lot from them just by watching them and talking to them."
On his expectations for the months ahead:
"First I want to finish my job with the Under-17s, qualifying and
winning the world championships (in 2003). But with the L.A. Galaxy I'm
looking forward to earning a start position, working hard. I really want
to make an impact on this League and this team and play a big role."
Sigi Schmid - Head Coach, Los Angeles Galaxy
On the selection of Guillermo Gonzalez:
"It's a tremendous pick. He's a Southern California boy
and to have a Southern California kid at home is tremendous. He's
a left-footed player and those players are always special. He has a bright
future. We know we're not going to have him a lot this coming year
but he's someone who's going to be a bright star for the Galaxy
for years to come."
On the first time he saw Gonzalez play:
"I've seen 'Memo' play since he was 12 years old.
I know him fairly well. He's the same age as my youngest son and
I've seen him play against that level competition. I remember talking
to coach Ralph Perez about him when he was 14 and telling him that I thought
he was a kid with exceptional ability."
Bob Bradley - Head Coach, MetroStars
On the selection of Ricardo Clark and Mike Magee:
"We think they're both very talented young players. Ricardo
gives us something in the midfield. His athleticism and his ability to
break up plays is going to really help our team. Mike Magee is a player
I believe has a chance to be very special. He has a knack for scoring
goals and we're excited to have him"
On knowing Magee since his time in Chicago:
"I've known him since he's 14 and he's a player I've
always believed has got something special and it's nice to be able
to play a role in that development over the next couple of years.
On whether he believes Magee is a midfielder or forward:
"He can play both but I think he's very unique around the goal.
That's still something I think not many young players have."
On when he saw Eddie Gaven play first:
"I saw him play as a real young player. His team used to play against
my son's team. Now I've seen him in Bradenton with the Under-17s.
He's a real talented player and a great kid. I think it's important
when we bring young players like this into the League to put them in environments
where they're comfortable and succeed."
On whether his goal was to select Gaven all along:
"That was clearly our idea. It's still required us giving us
a first round pick for next year. But in our view it's absolutely
the right move."
On how Bradley sees Gaven growing as a player:
"He can play both midfield and forward. He's going to continue
to mature and his soccer thinking and playing is already very, very good."
Ricardo Clark - MetroStars
Feelings of being drafted by the MetroStars:
"I'm just really excited right now. The MetroStars are a great
organization and Bob Bradley is a great coach. I'm excited to get
my career started."
On whether he's met Coach Bob Bradley:
"I've never met Coach Bradley but I've heard great things
about him. I know he's a good coach and has good relationship with
his players. He's a good guy."
On his feelings of being drafted:
"It's a crazy time in my life. I'm just hoping for the
best. I didn't know what to expect but it's a great honor to
be selected second in the MLS SuperDraft"
On the development of another defensive midfielder under Bradley -
Chris Armas:
"I know Chris Armas is a great player. To be working with the same
coach he worked with is an honor."
On his decision of signing a Project-40 contract:
"Leaving college you set aside your education for a little but. But
you get a chance to become a better player as a pro and get to play around
better players."
Mike Magee - MetroStars
On whether he knew he would be selected by Bob Bradley:
"I heard things but I never knew for sure I always hoped to play
under Bob and it's a dream come true."
On how long he's known Bradley:
"I met Bob two to three years ago but I started training this past
season with the Fire, he invited me to work out with them. I've known
Bob for a while. Outside of soccer I've had a personal relationship
and I've spoken to him about other things outside of soccer. I have
a lot of respect for him."
On what he expects from his first year with the MetroStars:
"I hope a little bit of playing time. But just training is going
to be an awesome experience. Just to talk to those players and see how
they handle situations is the best thing for me right now."
Eddie Gaven - MetroStars
On being picked by the MetroStars:
"I don't' even know what to say I'm so excited. I
don't know. I'm speechless. It's a dream come true. It's
great. When I heard they made a trade I was just praying and hoping everything
would turn out the way I dreamed it. And everything did. Everything worked
out perfectly today."
On how well he knows Bob Bradley:
"I really don't' know him too well. His son Mike is down
in the residency program with me. Coach Bradley seems like a great guy
and great coach. I'm looking forward to playing under him."
On his relationship with Bob Bradley's son - Michael:
"When I was eight and nine he was on the Princeton team and I was
on the Hamilton Lightning and I remember playing him. Mike and I have
roomed together on trips. We're good friends."
On being a MetroStars fan growing up:
"I went to several MetroStars game in my life and it's just
great to finally be on that field and have people watching me as I've
been watching them."
Dave Sarachan - Head Coach, Chicago Fire On his thought process in selecting Nate Jaqua with the third overall
pick:
"We were anxious to get a forward. We thought Nate had a terrific
Player Combine. I followed him throughout his collegiate career and we
think he can have an impact for us right away."
Nate Jaqua - Chicago Fire
On getting drafted by the Fir e:
"I'm really excited. I think it's a great opportunity right
now and I look forward to the challenge."
On his hopes for the next year:
"I like to contribute as much as I can. I have good size and hopefully
I can score a lot of goals."
On going third overall in the draft:
"I was really surprised to go this high in the draft. I thought maybe
late first round, early second round. It's a surprise but it's
great. I've been dreaming about this as long as I can remember."
Arturo Alvarez - San Jose Earthquakes
On San Jose's need for depth at forward:
"That's a good thing. I'm going to work as hard as possible
to earn a starting spot on this team."
On his commitments with the Under-18 national team:
"With the U-18s we have three camps and then there is an overseas
trip to Europe. That's about it. We'll do that for two years
and then we head to the next level with the U-20s."
On what position he plays on the field:
"As a little kid on my club I was a forward and then I started playing
with the youth national team and they still use me as a forward but more
on the left side. So I play more on the left side these days."
On whether he knows Landon Donovan or anyone else on the squad:
"I have not met Landon Donovan but I know Devin Barclay. I had a
chance to play with the Under-20s back in Houston at the U.S. Soccer Festival
and I had a chance to play Barclay there."
On whether he followed Ronald Cerritos' career in San Jose:
"I did follow Cerritos' career there. He is a really good player
and I always learned something from watching him play over the years."
On whether he has relatives in San Jose:
"I don't have any family in San Jose. I have some family in
LA."
Frank Yallop - Head Coach, San Jose Earthquakes
On why he selected Dunivant:
"I've been watching Todd for the last year or two. You look
at the SuperDraft and I couldn't really pass him up. I've always
liked him. We do need help up front. But we're looking at ways of
doing that outside of the draft. We feel Todd is a very good player, great
on the ball and loves to go forward. We now have Wade Barrett out of contract
so the club has to cover itself. I like this pick."
On the positions Dunivant can play:
"He can play left back and left side midfielder so he's a versatile
kid. We have a lot of versatile players. He's one of the future and
I'm looking to getting him on the field and see how he does."
Todd Dunivant - San Jose Earthquakes
On being selected by the Quakes:
"I couldn't be happier that I'm with the Quakes. I trained
with them last spring and a couple of weeks ago. It always felt like a
good fit. The coaching staff is great and the team is great. I know a
few of the guys and I couldn't be happier about where I am."
On feeling at home in San Jose:
"I'm from Colorado but I went to Stanford (economics major)
and the Bay Area is my second home."
On his relationship with Richard Mulrooney, Stanford assistant coach
and Quakes midfielder:
"Richard (Mulrooney) is a great guy. I talked to him this morning.
He's with the national team right now. He's a great mentor of
mine. I'm glad to play with him."
On current Quakes left back Wade Barrett :
"I don't know Wade too well. I played with him a little bit
when I was with the team last spring during training. From what I can
tell he's a great guy and awesome player and he's going to do
well wherever he goes. I wish him all the best."
On his expectations ahead of the SuperDraft:
"You never know what happens with the SuperDraft. You hear a lot
of speculation and you just wait and see what happens. I'm happy
with how it worked out."
Mike Jeffries - Head Coach, Dallas Burn
On the selection of Shavar Thomas:
"We thought he was the best available defender. We feel like we've
been pretty solid in the back but having one more guy for extra competition
and filling out our roster made a lot of sense. We think a lot of him.
He's very athletic, strong, very composed. He has played internationally
already even though he's young and he has a lot of tools."
On the acquisition of Brad Davis:
"Brad Davis is a very talented young player and a guy we're
very excited to bring into our roster. We feel it's very important
in our League to be competitive in all areas. I felt he was too good a
player not to be able to pick up when he became available."
On what the acquisition of Brad Davis means for the left midfield
position on the Burn:
"I think it gives us some competition on that side. Brad can also
play a couple of different spots as well as being in the middle. I think
that's important. So I think it gives us more depth and strengthens
us at a position that's good but we feel we can always be better."
Shavar Thomas - Dallas Burn
On being selected by the Dallas Burn:
"I didn't know where I was going to go. Thank God it's
over now. I'm looking forward to going over there, making an impact
right away and doing my job. I have confidence in my abilities"
On turning pro after two years of college:
"This is something I wanted to do ever since. But I went to the University
of Connecticut and I liked it there and it was kind of hard to decide
to go pro. Coach Ray Reid and I talked through it and I decided it was
good for me to go after my second season."
On reuniting with Burn defender and former UConn defender Chris Gbandi:
"I know Chris Gbandi well. Actually I played my first season with
Chris two seasons ago and it was good playing side-by-side with him on
defense. Hopefully we can tee them up and do great things again with the
Burn."
Diego Walsh - Columbus Crew
On his goals with the Crew:
"This is one of my main priorities: to step in and play, maybe not
starting but playing and making an impact. Columbus has a tendency of
doing that - bringing a lot of young players and giving them playing time.
I'm very happy and excited about that as well."
On the dream of playing professional soccer:
"When playing for SMU I always look forward to one day playing in
MLS and make an impact as a professional soccer player. During college
and high school that's all I thought about and that's all I
worked for."
On playing at Columbus Crew Stadium:
"I played there once. It's a great stadium and great facility.
I think we (SMU) played Ohio State the one time ... It's a great
place to play."
On whether he knew he was going to Columbus:
"After the Player Combine I heard some things and yesterday, too.
And just talking to my agent he told me about the two or three teams interested
in me."
On people he was familiar with on the Crew:
"I met Tom Presthus (former SMU goalkeeper) before and there's
my best friend and former teammate Luchi Gonzalez ... I talked to him
last night and told him I might go to Columbus. We were both excited.
Now that it has happened it's the greatest feeling ever."
On playing with creative players like Kyle Martino, Edson Buddle and
Jeff Cunningham:
"It couldn't have worked out better for me. They're all
very talented guys. Hopefully I'll fit right in and we'll have
a great season."
Greg Andrulis - Head Coach, Columbus Crew
On his thought process in selecting Diego Walsh:
"We thought he was the best player still available and we think he
could give us great depth and also step up with all of the different national
team players missing games this year. It's a win-win situation for
us."
On whether he sees Walsh as a central attacking midfielder:
"I also think he's versatile enough to play other positions.
You need that on a team when you have a lot of guys coming back. He's
a quality young man and a quality player. We feel we've added another
important piece to the puzzle."
On whether he will compete with Kyle Martino for a starting spot:
"I think he's going to compete with a lot of our midfielders
for space and competition is very healthy."
Pat Noonan - New England Revolution
On being selected by the New England Revolution:
"I didn't have a clue at all this was coming. This is a surprise
to me. But I'm looking forward to going there. There are some familiar
faces and I'm looking forward to going there to contribute."
On whether the right midfield slot is closed off with Steve Ralston's
presence on the Revolution:
"Wherever I can fit on the field is fine, whether it is on the left
side or up top. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to contribute
and hopefully I can improve myself by getting on the field."
On the other St. Louis natives on the Revolution:
"I know Taylor (Twellman) pretty well. We played together and
against each other. Taylor and I played on Scott Gallagher Soccer Club
and then we competed against each other in high school. I saw him a lot
on and off the field and we were friends off the field. It's going
to be good to see him again. I haven't talked to him except for one
time last year. He's one of the top players in the League already
and that's a great honor for him ... I just kicked the ball around
with Steve Ralston the other day. It was just a kick-around with some
other guys and we're just trying to stay in shape down on the campus
at St. Louis University."
On what head coach Steve Nicol told him:
"Coach Nicol told me he's looking forward to having me. I'm
looking forward to it. He told me what he's expecting and where I
can fit in."
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