TicketsGardner Drafted by LA Galaxy In Second Round
Chosen 13th overall in superdraft
Contact: Christie Hadley
1/16/2004
Josh Gardner became the first Cincinnati men's soccer to be drafted by an MLS team on Jan. 16. |
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- University of Cincinnati men's soccer player Josh Gardner became the first Bearcat to be drafted by a Major League Soccer team on Friday when he was chosen as the 13th overall pick by the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"I am really excited," Gardner said. "It's been stressful. I don't like waiting, but it has been very exciting. I was blessed to play in the combine and to be drafted."
Gardner signed with MLS as a Nike Project-40 Class of 2004 member in early January, and participated in the MLS Combine games on Jan. 11-14 in Los Angeles. Nike Project-40 was created in 1997 to provide young American players with enough professional experience to make the National team. Project-40 team members must be under the age of 25 and will practice and compete with their MLS team, but do not count against the 18-man roster or the salary cap.
"I think it is great for our program, and it's great for Josh," head coach Hylton Dayes said. "We're really happy with where he is going, and we think he has a good chance to play. This is the next step for Cincinnati men's soccer. We are a program that is producing athletes with the ability to play at the next level."
The Los Angeles Galaxy were the 2002 MLS Cup Champions, the 2001 US Open Cup Champions and the 2000 FC Champions Cup winner. The Galaxy has been in existence since 1996, the inaugural season of major league soccer, and is coached by Sigi Schmid.
"He is going into a great organization with a great coach," Dayes added. "Sigi will be able to develop him even more."
Gardner decided to forgo his senior college season to join the draft. He will be the fourth Cincinnati athlete to play in the MLS system, but the first Project-40 signee and the first to be drafted.
"I hope I can break the starting 11," Gardner said of his future goals. "I'm a left midfielder, but I can play wherever you need me to play as long as it isn't in goal. I like to attack. I don't care who you are, if I get you one-on-one, I'll attack you."
Gardner will now return to Los Angeles to begin training for the 2004 MLS season which will begin in early April.