Los Angeles Times: Galaxy trades Albright, takes Franklin in draft Page 1 of 3 http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-spw-draft19jan19,1,1781125.story?coll=la-headlines- sports-soccer From the Los Angeles Times MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER Galaxy trades Albright, takes Franklin in draft Kansas City makes UCLA's Myers the No. 1 pick of the MLS draft. By Grahame L. Jones Los Angeles Times Staff Writer January 19, 2008 The Galaxy, gearing up for the 2008 Major League Soccer season, made two surprising moves Friday at the league's annual college draft in Baltimore. Defender Chris Albright, a U.S. national team player who has anchored the right side of the defense for the last six seasons, winning two MLS championships in the process, was traded to the New England Revolution for an unannounced amount of allocation money. The Galaxy then made Cal State Northridge and U.S. under-23 national team defender Sean Franklin its first pick in the draft, taking him fourth overall. Franklin, 22, from Palmdale, is a well-regarded player but was not expected to go so high, especially with such players as Virginia Tech forward Patrick Nyarko of Ghana and Connecticut defender Julius James of Trinidad and Tobago still available. Both had been widely touted as potential No. 1 picks. "We had a hole we needed to fill [Albright's right back slot], and we had Sean ranked in the top four players in the draft," said Paul Bravo, the Galaxy's director of soccer. For the second time in three years, a UCLA player was the league's top pick. Sophomore midfielder/defender Chance Myers, 20, of Thousand Oaks was snapped up by the Kansas City Wizards. Myers, a teammate of Franklin on the U.S. under-23 team, became the 41st former Bruin to be drafted since MLS was founded in 1996 -- the most of any school. In all, six defenders, five midfielders, two goalkeepers and one forward were taken in the first round, including two members of the U.S. under-17 national team. The draft seemed to be driven by economics as much as anything, with seven of the 14 first-round selections being developmental players whose salaries will not count against team salary caps. Chivas USA did not have a pick until the fourth round and selected West Florida midfielder Keith Savage, 22. http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-spw-draft19jan19,1,5943440,print.story?coll=la-h... 1/22/2008 Los Angeles Times: Galaxy trades Albright, takes Franklin in draft Page 2 of 3 The Galaxy had seven picks overall and, in addition to Franklin, Los Angeles chose Washington forward Ely Allen (21st overall), Wake Forest goalkeeper Brian Edwards (28th), Wake Forest defender Julian Valentin 29th), Creighton goalkeeper Matt Allen (34th), University of San Francisco defensive midfielder Brendon McDonald (46th) and Santa Clara midfielder/defender Matt Hatzke (51st). Franklin said he was happy to stay in Southern California and to play alongside the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Carlos Ruiz. "There was talk about the Galaxy being interested in me, but I wasn't sure where I was going to go. I'm excited about being around a group of superstars like that," Franklin said. Coming in as a potential replacement for Albright puts an immediate burden on Franklin. The Revolution, meanwhile, was delighted to land Albright, 29, who won an MLS title with D.C. United before earning two more with the Galaxy. Albright was sidelined for all but five games in 2007 after suffering a torn right hamstring in May. He has since recovered and was re-signed by the Galaxy only last week. Apparently, that was done only to make the trade with New England, which freed up $150,000 or so in salary cap money, and also added allocation money if the Galaxy pursues Portugal's Luis Figo, as rumored. MLS 2008 DRAFT FIRST-ROUND PICKS * Name / Position / School / MLS Club 1. Chance Myers / D / UCLA / Kansas City 2. Brek Shea / D/M / U-17 national team / Dallas 3. Tony Beltran / D/M / UCLA / Real Salt Lake 4. Sean Franklin / D / Cal State Northridge / Galaxy 5. Ciaran O'Brien / M / UC Santa Barbara / Colorado 6. Andy Iro / D / UC Santa Barbara / Columbus 7. Patrick Nyarko / F / Virginia Tech / Chicago 8. Josh Lambo / G / U-17 national team / Dallas 9. Julius James / D / Connecticut / Toronto 10. Pat Phelan / M / Wake Forest / Toronto 11. Roger Espinoza / M / Ohio State / Kansas City 12. Dominic Cervi / G / Tulsa / Chicago http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-spw-draft19jan19,1,5943440,print.story?coll=la-h... 1/22/2008 Los Angeles Times: Galaxy trades Albright, takes Franklin in draft Page 3 of 3 13. Rob Valentino / D / San Francisco / New England 14. David Horst / D / Old Dominion / Real Salt Lake Chivas USA, D.C. United, Houston, New York and San Jose did not have first-round picks. [email protected] If you want other stories on this topic, search the Archives at latimes.com/archives. Article licensing and reprint options Copyright 2008 Los Angeles Times | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Home Delivery | Advertise | Archives | Contact | Site Map | Help partners: http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-spw-draft19jan19,1,5943440,print.story?coll=la-h... 1/22/2008 LA Daily News - Locals dominate MLS draft Page 1 of 2 "It's an honor to be here and be chosen No. Locals dominate MLS 1," said Myers, a sophomore defender from UCLA draft and a graduate of Thousand Oaks High. "I look forward to coming in and contributing right away." Wire, staff reports The Galaxy, selecting fourth, took Article Last Updated: 01/18/2008 02:31:47 PM PST midfielder/defender Sean Franklin, a product of Cal State Northridge and Highland High. The Galaxy also traded defender Chris Albright to the New England Revolution in exchange for allocation money. Brek Shea, a 17-year-old midfielder, was taken by FC Dallas with the second pick, and Real Salt Lake used the third selection on Myers' UCLA teammate, midfielder Tony Beltran. Myers, 20, started all 21 games for the Bruins last season, scored three goals and earned an All-Pac 10 first team selection. He said he wasn't sure if he was ready for the draft, but UCLA coach Jorge Salcedo gave him the green light. The Wizards traded eight-year veteran defender Nick Garcia to the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday in exchange for the rights to the top selection. "When I heard they traded for the No. 1 pick, (MLS commissioner) Mike Garland said the interest was high and I could be No. 1," Myers Chance Myers' decision to leave school said. "After the season was over, it was kind of early paid off Friday when the Kansas City unexpected if I was going to leave or going to Wizards selected him with the first pick in the stay, but my choice paid off." Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Advertisement http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8010478 1/22/2008 LA Daily News - Locals dominate MLS draft Page 2 of 2 The Wizards (11-12-7) finished fifth in the East last season and lost to the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference finals. Other first-round selections were: No. 5, Ciarin O'Brien (Colorado Rapids); No. 6, Andy Iro (Columbus Crew); No. 7, Patrick Nyarko (Chicago Fire); No. 8, Josh Lambo (Dallas); No. 9, Julius James (Toronto); No. 10, Pat Phelan (Toronto); No. 11, Roger Espinoza (Kansas City); No. 12, Dominic Cervi (Chicago); No. 13, Rob Valentino (New England Revolution); No. 14, David Horst (Real Salt Lake). Advertisement http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8010478 1/22/2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Other Sports Page 1 of 5 Local US/World Sports Business A&E Life Comics Photos Opinion Blogs Subscribe Buy Ad OTHER SPORTS Friday, January 18, 2008 FEATURED GAL MLS SuperDraft: Wizards take Myers first By Pat Martin, MLS Editor Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - The Kansas City Wizards took UCLA's Chance Myers first overall in the 2008 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, held on Friday at the Baltimore Convention Center. Sao Paulo Paris Haute Fashion Week Couture -- Myers, a 20-year-old defender/midfielder, was considered by many the -- Monday Day 1 best sideline player in the draft. He is a versatile player who can play fullback or wing. "It's a dream come true," said Myers, who was a First Team All-Pac-10 selection this season. "I will bring a strong work ethic and team attitude to Kansas City. Playing at UCLA taught me how to adapt and play at a high level. I look forward to playing with former Bruins like Jimmy Conrad, Sasha Victorine and Kevin Hartman in Kansas City." "Chance Myers is a great young player that has a long-term future in soccer," Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said. "He is technically sound with an unbelievable engine. He is only 20-years-old, with 15 years of great soccer left. We are excited to draft a very versatile outside midfielder like Chance." The Wizards, who had two first-round picks after acquiring the top pick from the San Jose Earthquakes for veteran defender Nick Garcia earlier this week, selected Ohio State midfielder Roger Espinoza 11th overall. Both Myers and Espinoza, 21, are members of the Generation adidas program that allows players who have not yet graduated college to join MLS while still working toward their degrees. Neither player will count on the Wizards' salary cap as long as they are involved in the Generation adidas program. "They were the top two picks on our own power rankings," Onalfo said.