Metros pick Bradley's son, FDU midfielder David
Saturday, January 17, 2004
BY COLIN STEPHENSON
Star-Ledger Staff
Long after 14-year-old Freddy Adu was officially selected by D.C. United with the first pick in the 2004 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, the MetroStars took several young players to help strengthen their future.
The most familiar name among the six chosen in the six-round draft was Michael Bradley, the 16-year-old son of Metros' coach Bob Bradley, taken with the sixth pick of the fourth round, 46th overall.
"It was an unbelievable thrill," Bradley said of being drafted by the MetroStars. "For me, I have no expectations of coming in and starting or anything like that. Entering the draft was all about making the decision that was going to help me become a better soccer player."
Bradley had been with the U.S. Under-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla., the program that produced Eddie Gaven last year and Adu this year. Bob Bradley admitted it was "strange" to draft his own son, but he is looking forward to coaching him full-time.
Among the players the MetroStars drafted was Johnny David, the Northeast Conference Player of the Year out of Fairleigh Dickinson.
"It's very exciting to be selected by the MetroStars," said David, a midfielder. "A lot of players dream of playing for big teams, and I'm looking forward to have that chance with one of the biggest, right here in New Jersey."
The other players the MetroStars selected were: Seth Stammler, a defender from the University of Maryland; goalkeeper Zack Wells, from UCLA; forward Olivier Occean, a Canadian U-23 player who played at Division 2 Southern Connecticut State; and defender Jeff Parke of Drexel, the final pick.
The Metros began the day without a pick in the first or second rounds but traded next year's second-rounder to Chicago for the No. 18 selection this year to take Stammler.
Rutgers midfielder Josh Gros was taken with the fourth pick of the fourth round, by D.C. United, while Seton Hall midfielders Luke Vercollone and Ryan McGowan were taken by Columbus (with the second pick of the fifth round), and by Chicago (with the first pick of the sixth round), respectively.
Gros scored 15 goals as a senior to earn Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors.
"We have had a number of players go on to be successful in the MLS and I think Josh will do the same," Rutgers coach Bob Reasso said. "I am excited that he gets to stay close to home in the Northeast with D.C. United. It is a perfect fit."
Vercollone, a First Team All-Big East selection, led Seton Hall in scoring in 2003 with five goals and 11 assists. McGowan, a four-year starter, was a Second Team All-Big East pick.
The MetroStars also announced second-year midfielder Ricardo Clark underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia and will be out for eight weeks.
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