MLS has plenty of SoCal flavor - LA Daily News Page 1 of 2

Soccer column area.

However, only two are from the city of Los MLS has plenty of SoCal Angeles, and both play for Chivas USA: veteran flavor striker and young midfielder Gerson Mayen, recently signed to a developmental contract. By Nick Green, columnist Just one is from the San Fernando Valley, Chivas Article Last Updated: 04/08/2008 11:34:22 AM PDT USA midfielder Daniel Paladini of Northridge (a

2007 Galaxy draft pick), although 2008 No. 1

draft pick Chance Myers (Kansas City Wizards) is » BLOG: Nick Green's 100 Percent Soccer from Thousand Oaks, promising Galaxy defender

Sean Franklin (Palmdale) graduated from Cal Most Southern Californian soccer fans know that State Northridge and goalkeeper Galaxy star , who proudly wears Kyle Reynish is from Valencia. his roots on his sleeve, is a native of Redlands, the San Bernadino County city. Four are from the South Bay, including Columbus

Crew striker Kei Kamara (Lawndale), while three Far fewer are likely aware that Willie Sims, the grew up on the affluent Palos Verdes Peninsula, former 2006 draft pick (Kansas City Wizards), John last seen plying his trade with the USL Puerto Thorrington ( Fire) and Rico Islanders, is a graduate of Reseda High. ().

Professional sports being the revolving door it is, Temple City in the San Gabriel Valley provides it can be hard to keep track of who's of the Kansas City Wizards and playing where when, (Newhall's Mike Caso recent Galaxy signing . was quietly waived in the offseason by Chivas USA, for instance) so to mark the new MLS Other county residents in MLS include season, a Southern California roll call would Pasadena's Pete Vagenas (Galaxy) and Yura seem to be in order. Movsisyan (Real Salt Lake), while Tony Beltran

(Real Salt Lake) is from Claremont. A scan of the latest rosters of the 14 MLS teams shows that of the 369 players listed, 64 name a Former Galaxy supersub Gavin Glinton (San Jose California city as their hometown. Of those, 17 Earthquakes) is a native of the Turks & Caicos are from County, while almost three Islands, but lists Brentwood as his hometown, dozen are from the five-county Southern while Toronto's is from Fontana

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and Real Salt Lake 2008 draft pick Tino Nunez, At the other end of the spectrum, Loyola who played a year at Compton Community Marymount's current contribution to the pro College before transferring to UCSanta Barbara, ranks amounts to Chivas USA defender Bobby hails from Long Beach. Burling, while Cal State Fullerton counts former Galaxy defender Joe Franchino (New England Other local notables include Chivas USA Revolution), who finished his college career at defender (Los Alamitos), the University of Washington, and Duncan Kansas City Wizards pair Oughton (Columbus Crew) among its products in (Corona), Galaxy defender Mike Randolph (Chino MLS. Hills) and Columbus Crew defender (Riverside). Space precludes listing all the Californians in MLS here. But at least now more than just Willie The Galaxy and Chivas USA have the most Sims' mom knows where he's from. players (10 apiece) with California connections, including Anaheim's Jorge Flores (Chivas USA) and goalkeeper Josh Wicks of San Bernadino (Galaxy). Incidentally, the Galaxy media guide helpfully observes that Wicks' skin sports nine tattoos, leaving one to wonder whether he and noted tattoo fan David Beckham sit around in the locker room after practice to compare body art.

Those who identify more with colleges than hometowns should note that there are about 60 MLS players who graduated from four-year schools in California.

Not surprisingly, UCLA, with its regularly top- ranked program, leads the way with 17 players, including striker Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), defender (Columbus Crew) and veteran defender (Galaxy).

Bay Area collegiate powerhouse Santa Clara checks in with eight players in MLS, by the way, while UC Santa Barbara boasts seven.

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http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8846007 4/9/2008