3rd Degree


2009 Final MLS SuperDraft Defender Rankings

January 14th, 2009 . 1:49 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

Rn Name School Class Height Weight Notes/Comments
1 Omar Gonzalez Maryland Jr 6′5″ 195 The best defender in the pool.  Big, strong, dominate in the air.  Questions remain about quickness and pace. Generation adidas.  US U20. Can control the middle of the back.  Not fast, but has enough pace.  Some question the lateral quickness.2008: All-American First Team, Soccer American MVP First Team, College Soccer News Second Team, Top Drawer Soccer Second Team, Herman Semi-Finalist, and ACC First Team.

2007: All-American Third Team, Top Drawer Soccer First Team, ACC Defender of the Year, ACC Second Team

2006: ACC All-Freshman Team.

2 Kevin Alston Indiana Jr 5′8″ 180 Ridiculously speedy diminutive outside back, runs end to end and can both attack and defend.  Best right back on boards. Generation adidas.  Can play left back despite not being left footed.2008: Top Drawer Soccer First Teal, Big Ten First Team

2007: Big Ten Second Team.

3 Lyle Adams Wake Forest Sr 6′1″ 170 Really tall and lanky outside right runner out of the back.  Runs all day and gets behind people to great effect.  Second best right back after Alston.

Don’t let the lack of conference honors fool you, immense talent can come through the Atlantic Coast Conference while hardly being noticed.  Speed kills and this left sided flank defender has plenty of it.  As a four year starter at Wake he plays in as advanced a pro style 4-4-2 as you’ll find in college.  Adams was a key part of the 51 shutouts his defense earned in his time there.  He’s got good feet and loves to take opposition with pace, eleven goals and six assists show the quality getting forward.  Adams is the best wide defender in the senior class.

MLS Combine

4 Matt Besler Notre Dame Sr 6′0″ 170 A smart, smooth, and finesse central defender.  A leader in the back that reminds me of Parkhurst at hic combine in LA years ago.

A First Team All-American this year, Besler started every game for the last three seasons for the Irish and earned three All-Big East nods.  An Academic All-American as well, Besler is the first Golden Domer to do the All-American double.  The tough and gritty Besler missed only one game in his college career and has lead the Irish to two consecutive Big East regular season titles.  Besler can pass well out of the back, accumulating seven assists and five goals in his career.

2008: All-American First Team, Top Drawer Soccer Second Team, Big East First Team.

2007: Big East Second Team.

2006: Top Drawer Soccer Second Team, Big East Second Team

MLS Combine

5 Dave Hertel Michigan State Sr-r 5′10″   Strong, fast and a lefty, Hartel emerged this year as a top teir defender in the Big 10 with the Spartan’s conference title.  After starting his career at Kentucky as a part time starter, Hertel red-shirted in 2004 and went on to be a three year starter for State.2008: Big Ten First Team. 

MLS Combine

6 Rodney Wallace Maryland So 5′11″ 152 Speedy left back struggled a bit at the combine but has impressive raw tools.  Inexperienced, but young with upside.  Generation adidas.  Reputation for running the field and attacking prowess out of the back.  Big upside.2007: ACC All-Freshman Team.
7 Darrius Barnes Duke Sr. 6′2″ 175 An athletic defender who can tight man mark the best strikers.  Notably shut out Zakuani on Day 2.  Might be able to play right back.Like many talented payers in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Barnes never got a whole lot of award attention.  He has a reputation as a terrific athlete and certainly has the size at 6-2.  A three year starter for the Blue Devils, in 77 games Barnes has 70 starts, 1 goal, 9 assists, and an impressive 32 shutouts.  Barnes was named to the 2008 PDL Team of the Year playing for the Cary Railhawks U23s.

2008: Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team, PDL Team of the Year Cary Railhawks U23

MLS Combine

8 Jide Ogunbiyi Santa Clara Sr 6′4″ 205 A massive central defender with recovery pace.  May have helped himself more than anyone at the combine.  Still raw and a project but might be a steal in the mid rounds.

A bit of a late bloomer and undoubtedly a raw project with upside, Ogunbiyi moved up to the West Coast Conference First Team in 2008 after three previous Honorable Mention nods.  The big 6′4″ defender could become a dominating force in the middle if his progression continues.  Born in Rochester, New York, Ogunbiyi has spent time with the Nigerian Youth programs and this last summer trained with their senior side, although he appears as of yet untied to them internationally.  Ogunbiyi scored 11 goals and added 8 assists in his career, despite mostly coming off the bench in his sophomore year due to an off season injury.

2008: West Coast Conference First Team.

2007: West Coast Conference Honorable Mention.

2006: West Coast Conference Honorable Mention.

2005: West Coast Conference Honorable Mention, All-Freshman Team.

MLS Combine

9 George John Washington Sr 6′4″  

A big center back who has converted from holding mid.  Great feet and game reading as a center back.  Good passer.  Coming off recent meniscus injury, may have tweaked knee.

John is primarily a central midfielder, but was occasionally deployed in defense.  The 6-4 husky… um… Husky… would be higher on this list if not for a late season meniscus injury that cost him the final five games of the regular season.  He still managed to earn a First Team nod in the Pac-10 to give him two straight on the first team to go with this second team award in 2006.

2008: Pac-10 First Team, Pac-10 Men’s Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year. 

2007: Pac-10 First Team.

2006: Pac-10 Second Team

MLS Combine

10 Evan Brown Wake Forest Sr 5′11″ 160 A well rounded right back with a serious penchant to get forward, although he’s not a speedster.  White’s best attacking threat all week even though he’s an outside back.Smooth a silky on the ball, Wake’s ever present right back the last two and half years.  He’s made some rapid improvement the last two years and was honored as Wake’s Most Improved Player in 2006 and earned the Wake Hard Hat Award for his efforts in 2007.  Like his teammate Adams, Brown never garnered any conference nods, but helped his team to two straight College Cups and a National Title.  He’s just a player I find has a little something I like and is worth more than his resume.  Not notably fast but can beat multiple players getting forward out of Wake’s pro style formation.

MLS Combine

11 Calum Angus St Louis Sr 6′0″ 168 A aggressive defender and vocal organizer.  Could be a step quicker and a couple inches bigger.  Might still be a solid pro.

Angus is a four year starter and the vocal defensive leader for the Billiken program.  A Brit, the 6 foot Angus is a two time All-American and 2007 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.  He led SLu  to a 0.82 team goals against average this year with an Atlantic 10 leading 10 shutouts.  A former outside back who’s played centrally in the NCAA’s, Angus does have the speed to play multiple spots in the back line.  He’s graduating early this winter in preparation for a professional soccer career.

2008: All-American First Team, Atlantic 10 First Team. 

2007: All-American Second Team, College Soccer News Third Team, Top Drawer Soccer First Team, Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, First Team

2006: Atlantic 10 Second Team. 

2005: Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, Honorable Mention

MLS Combine

12 A.J. Delagarza Maryland Sr. 5′8″ 140 If he were 6′2″ he’d be the best defender in the draft.  At a 5′8″ it’s just going to be very difficult to make it at center back.  Can he play right back?  Possibly.A three and a half year starter for the National Champs, Delagarza is a great reader of the game and smart defender.  A quick first step allows him to intercept passes and shield player off the ball.  Unfortunately at 5′8″ he’s likely to short for the center back spot at the MLS level.   Can he transition his game to wide in the back of perhaps defensive midfield?

2008: Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team

MLS Combine

13 Chris Clements Tulsa Sr 6′2″ 185 A big strong defender who was clearly playing hurt at the combine.  College career says he might have something, but we can’t tell this week.

A sub-par year for Clements due to an early injury has him a little bit further down this list that he might have been with a clean bill in 2008.  His return from injury coincided with Tulsa revival in the latter half of the year.  An aggressive game reader with a big pro size body, Clements also has terrific feet for a large player.  Clements is a three time All-Conference USA player and was a Third Team All-American in 2007. Out of the storied Dallas Texans club, Clements is also a former US U20.

2008: Conference USA Second Team

2007: All-American Third Team, Conference USA First Team.  

2006: Conference USA Third Team

MLS Combine

14 Yohance Marshall South Florida Sr 6′2″ 170 All the physical tools are there, but the decision making is shocking.  Poor marking and positioning, poor passing, and even tripped over the ball a few times.

After a promising freshman season, this 6 foot 2 Trinidadian missed most of 2006 with a with an injury but rebounded with a solid 2007 and spectacular 2008.  Big, strong, and quick, this Third Team All-American led USF to shutouts in more than half their games.  Marshall has a strong reputation as a leader and hard worker and has played for the Trinidad and Tobago U17s, U20s, and U21s.

2008: All-American Third Team, Soccer American Most Valuable Player First Team, College Soccer News First Team, Top Drawer Soccer Second Team, Big East First Team. 

2007: Big East Second Team.

2005: Big East First Team. 

MLS Combine

15 David Sias California Irvine Sr 6′1″ 175 Sias is the soft spoken, hard working leader of the Cal-Irvine impressive 2008 resurgence.  After giving up 31 goals in 2007, Sias took responsibility for the back line in 2008 and reduced their goals against to a meager 21.  A leader by example, Sias missed one game this season, the Anteaters lone loss heading into the NCAA tournament.  His outstanding play this year garnered Sias the 2008 Big West Defender of the Year nod after a Second Team award in 2007.  Sias is the second winner of the Defensive Player of the Year in Anteater history (Saul Wolf 2001)

2008: Top Drawer Soccer Third Team, Big West Defensive Player of the Year, First Team.

2007: Big West Second Team

Under consideration

16 Brad Rusin UCLA Sr 6′4″ 200 After three straight Pac 10 Honorable Mention nods, Rusin was the sole defender named First Team this year as the Pac 10 limit their teams by position.  At 6-4 Rusin is an imposing figure in the back line as he led a young Bruin back four to eight shutouts in 2008, including six straight in Pac 10 play, and also finished third on the Bruin scoring list with three goals and two assists.  Rusin has played in the PDL with San Fernando Valley Quakes and last summer had trails with IK Start and BodoGlimt in Norway.  Rusin is also know for playing with his hair spiked up about 5 inches in the air.

2008: Top Drawer Soccer Second Team, Pac-10 First Team.

2007: Pac-10 Honorable Mention

2006: Pac-10 Honorable Mention.

2005: Pac-10 Honorable Mention.

Combine list

17 Ossie Michalsen Akron Sr 6′0″ 170 After red-shirting upon arrival at Akron, Michalsen ripped off a streak of three straight First Team All-Mid-American Conference awards before slipping to a Second Team spot this year as he struggled with a couple injuries.  Overshadowed by Akron’s impressive underclassmen, Michalsen remains an interesting prospect.  A member of the Norway U16, U18, and U19 teams, Michalsen played for the SK Brann youth program prior to joining the Zips.  Michalsen graduated from Akron in 2008 and played his final year of eligibility while pursuing a MBA in International Business.

2008: Mid-American Conference Second Team. 

2007: Mid-American Conference First Team.

2006: Mid-American Conference First Team.

2005: Mid-American Conference First Team, College Soccer News Second Team All-Freshman, Top Drawer Soccer All-Freshman team .

Norway U16, U18, U19

18 Rhett Bernstein Brown Sr 6′1″ 180 Injured and withdrew from MLS Combine.Bernstein stepped out from the shadow of his former center back partner Matt Britner to lead Brown’s back line this year.  The three time All-Ivy defender also managed to lead the Bears in scoring with four goals and two assists.  During his career Brown made the NCAA Tourney three times and won two Ivy League Championships.

2008: Ivy First Team.

2007: Ivy First Team 

2006: Top Drawer Soccer Third Team, Ivy First Team.

2005: Ivy Honorable Mention.

MLS Combine.

19 Wes Knight College of Charleston Sr 5′11″ 175 A above average two way right back.  Plays solid defense and does combine forward but without top pace of some others.  More reliably, less risk player.A four year starter after red-shirting in 2004.  Knight helped lead the CoC defense that allowed 31 goals on the season and recorded five shutout victories, which was the second best mark in the Southern Conference.  Knight helped get CoC to the Southern Conference Title game.  A hard working player, Knight having come out of a program not know for producing MLS talent will need a strong Combine performance with the SuperDraft shortened.

2008: Southern Conference First Team.

2007: Southern Conference Second Team.

MLS Combine

20 Seth Sinovic Creighton Sr. 5′9″ 165 Received a medical red shirt for his freshman season and has withdrawn from the combine and will return to schoo..A defensive minded left back who can get forward some, Sinovic had a career high six assists in his senior year.  Had both game winning goals in Creighton’s two NCAA wins.  Part of a defense that allowed only 10 goals in 20 games this year.

2008: Missouri Valley Conference First Team.

2007: Missouri Valley Conference Second Team.

MLS Combine

21 Jack Traynor Notre Dame Sr 5′9″ 170 A solid looking left back without the pace of Hertel or the upside of Wallace, but he does have above average game and a willingness to move forward.  3rd best left back here.A four year starter for the Irish with two goals and seven assist over his career as a left back.  This season helped the Notre Dame defense hold opponents to a goal or less in eight of the last nine down the home stretch of the season.  Traynor helped the Irish to two NCAA Quarter-final appearances in 06 and 07 as well as two straight Big East Regular Season titles.

2008: Big East Second Team.

2007: Big East Third Team.

2006: Big East Honorable Mention

MLS Combine

22 Trevor Banks Old Dominion Sr 5′9″ 155

A outside back with some pace, but he’s not a good enough defender at this stage.  Would need reserve game and coaching… and the reserves are gone.

A versatile player who can play almost anywhere on the field, Banks had the most impact in college as a midfielder.  A two-time Colonial Athletic Association First Teamer, Banks finishes his career among the ODU all time leaders with twenty goals and eleven assists.  Banks was Colonial Athletic Association Freshman of the year back in 2005 and is also a former US U20 where he played mostly as a defender.  He may look to prove himself as an outside back rather than winger at the MLS Combine.

2008: Colonial Athletic Association First Team. 

2007: Colonial Athletic Association First Team.

2006: Top Drawer Soccer Second Team

MLS Combine

23 Michael Holody Michigan Sr 6′3″ 199 A larger defender but with poor feet.  Wants nothing to do with the ball.The 6-3 Holody is only the second All-American in the Wolverine program’s short history.  Holody leaves MU as the program all-time leader in minutes played and his 9 goals get him into the top ten on their scoring list.  A strong two way player in the college game, it will need to be seen if that offense translates to MLS.  In addition to his two All-Big 10 nods, Holoday was named to the 2008 PDL Team of the Year for his play for the Michigan Bucks.

2008: All-American Third Team, College Soccer News Third Team, Big Ten First Team.

2007: Big Ten Second Team. PDL Team of the Year Michigan Bucks

2006: Big Ten All-tourney team.

2005: Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

Under Consideration

24 David Tyrie Central Connecticut Sr 6′1″ 180 In his senior season this British lefty center back grabbed five goals.  The leader in the back for Central Connecticut, Tyrie and company held the opposition scoreless six times.  In 2007 Tyrie earned the Northeast Conference Defender of the Year nod by leading a defense that allowed a league-low six goals in conference play while posting five shutouts.   A strong four year starter and conference award winner.2008: Northeast Conference First Team.

2007: Northeast Conference Defender of the Year, First Team.

2006: Northeast Conference First Team

2005: Northeast Conference Second Team

Combine list

25 Rich Costanzo Maryland Sr 5′9″ 166 A once promising midfield talent, Costanzo switched to defense in 2007 for the talent overloaded Terrapins.  Started his career at Penn State where he was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and consensus Freshman All-American as a midfielder with four goals and seven assists.  Sat out 2005 with an injury before transferring to Maryland, then was a starter in midfield in 2006.  In 2007 converted to defense and this season helped Maryland to the NCAA Title.  A offensive minded right back, Costanzo can beat multiple players on the dribble and is an above average crosser.  A former US U18 pool player. Played at FC Delco with Stephen King.2004: Big Ten Freshman of the Year

Combine list

26 Ryan Mirsky Southern Methodist Sr 6′1″ 171 Tall and skinny with some recovery speed.  But slow reading of the game and poor passing are holding him back.A strong defender with both the size and pace to compete at the pro level.  His injury late in his senior year helped contribute to the decline in the Ponies season.  A four year starter he was overshadowed early in his career by pro-level talent of Jay Needham and Ugo Ihemelu. 

2007: Conference USA Second Team

2006: Conference USA Third Team

MLS Combine

27 Michael Coburn Memphis Sr 6′3″ 180 The Tigers massive center back is a two time All-Conference USA player.  After missing 2006 with a medical red-shirt for an ankle injury, Coburn returned with two strong season.  This year he notched two game winning goals to go with his strong defense.2008: Conference USA First Team

2007: Conference USA Second Team

Combine list

28 Otto Loewy Winthrop Sr 6′0″   Anchored a defense that led the Big South in goals against two of the last three seasons.  In 2006 played both defense and midfield.2008: Big South First Team.

2007: Big South Second Team

2006: Big South First Team

MLS Combine

29 Paul Gerstenberger Boston College Sr 6′0″ 160 A left back that tried to play hurt at the combine.  Impossible to get a review of him.  But he was average here even hurt and he’s left back so that’s worth something.A left back, Gerstenberger played 66 games in his BC career and scored 18 points.  Primarily a starter only in his last two seasons, Gerstenberger earned All-Tourney honors at the 07 Atlantic Coast Conference Tourney with one goal and one assist.

MLS Combine

30 Ian Daniel Oakland Sr 6′3″ 180 A four year starter for Oakland and the 2007 Summit league Defensive Player of the Year when his team had a staggering 0.16 goals against average.  In 2008 lead the OU defense to a top 10 national ranking in goals against average (0.53) and shutout percentage (.600).  Earned numerouss Academic awards during his career.2008: SL First Team.

2007: SL Defensive Player of the Year, First Team

Combine list.

31 Connor Tobin Vermont SR 6′2″ 170 A unanimous American-East selection and America East Defender of the Year in 2008.  From the center back spot, Tobin led the Catamounts that ranks 12th in the nation in goals against average (0.63) and is tied for 22nd in shutouts. He also chipped in up front with two goals and two assists.  Played outside back as a freshman.  An Academic All-American.2008: American East Defender of the Year, First Team.

2007: American East First Team

Combine list

32 Oscar Castillo Connecticut Sr 5′7″ 165 Hard working smaller outside back who likes to run.  Plays aggressive and gets caught out of position. Doesn’t have great ball skills.Castillo played two seasons at DIII Mount Saint Antonio College where he was First Team All-West honors in the Junior College division before transferring to UConn.  Very undersized at 5′7″ showing at the combine he has the strength and pace for the pro game will be essential.

2008: Big East Third Team

MLS Combine

33 Stephen Oyuga Campbell Sr 6′1″ 185 A Kenyan, Oyuga is the brother of Kenyan international and Swedish League professional Paul Oyuga.  A two-time All-Atlantic Sun player, he has helped guide CU to the best team goals against (0.83) and the most shutouts (9) in the Atlantic Sun this year.  A three year starter for Campbell after being a role player his freshman year at the University of Mobile (NAIA).2008: Atlantic Sun  First Team

2007: Atlantic Sun First Team

Combine ALT

34 Daniel Leach Oregon State Sr 6′3″ 180 A lefty from down under, this Australian was honored four times by the notoriously defender honor stingy Pac-10, three times Honorable Mention and one Second Team nod this year.  Leach was an Australian U17.  Leach scored three goals with four assists during his career at Oregon State.2008: Pac-10 Second Team. 

2007: Pac-10 Honorable Mention.

2006: Pac-10 Honorable Mention.

2005: Pac-10 Honorable Mention. 

Combine list

35 Ryan Adeleye North Carolina Sr 6′1″ 170 A two year starter for the National Runner-ups after starting two seasons at Davidson.  Big, strong, and physical, Adeleye will need to improve his game reading and ball skills to make it to MLS.Combine list
36 Kyle Russell Coastal Carolina Sr 5′11″ 165 Limited defender who couldn’t handle most opposition players here.A four year starter, two time All-Conference player, and defensive leader for CC.  Has played PDL with Chicago Fire (2006) and Michigan Bucks (2007, 2008).  Bucks team captain in 2008.  Out of the Chicago Magic youth club.

2008: Big South First Team.

2007: Big South First Team.

MLS Combine

37 Kyle Schmid California Irvine Sr 6′2″ 180 Part of the resurgent Anteater program that had a terrific 0.99 goals against during their strong 2008 campaign.2008: Big West Second Team

Combine ALT

38 Chris Brown Massachusetts SR 6′1″ 170 The best defender on the 2007 UMass College Cup team in my opinion.  Brown plays a aggressive defensive style that relays on cutting off passes and denying possession.  An off the radar kind of player that has some nice upside based on his field awareness.2008: Atlantic 10 First Team
39 Jerry Dickinson Holy Cross SR 6′1″ 180 A 3 year captain and 4 year starter, Dickinson is the 3rd Patriot League Defender of the Year in Holy Cross history.  Led the Crusader defense 20th best in the nation in goals against average (0.71), 27th in save percentage (0.831), 31st in shutout percentage (0.47) and 42nd in winning percentage (0.647).  Added two goals and one assist on the offensive end.2008: Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, First Team

2007: Patriot League Second Team

40 Angelo Amato Monmouth Sr 6′0″ 170 A four year starter and center back who is a solid one on one defender, Amato led the Monmouth defense to impressive 0.58 goals against average this season.  Amato is the second Monmouth player ever to earn Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year award.2008: College Soccer News Third Team, Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First Team.

2007: Northeast Conference Second Team. 

Combine list

41 John Pardini Fordham SR 6′5″ 198 A two-time All Atlantic 10 award winner at center back, Pardini notched two goals and five assists out of the back while leading the Fordham defense to a 0.90 goals against average and eight shutouts.2008: Atlantic 10 First Team.

2007: Atlantic 10 First Team.

Combine list

42 Bolade Ogunmade Mercer SR 6′1″ 170 A lefty from Scottland, Ogunmade was a two year starter for Mercer.  Prior to that he was a All-American at Northern Oklahoma College. Having scored seven goals to lead Mercer, with six in in Atlantic Sun play to tie with Richard Jatta for second, Ogunmade was voted team MVP, Offensive MVP, and Defensive MVP.2008: Atlantic Sun First Team

Combine list

43 Jeff Russell San Francisco Sr 6′1″ 180 A finesse player despite his size, really only emerged in his senior year when he anchored the Don’s back line.  A two year starter.2008: West Coast Conference First Team

Combine list

44 Ed Brand San Jose State Sr 5′11″ 170 A Brit, Brand is a four year starter and four year Mountain Pacific Sports Federation honoree.  Played in the youth system of Chelsea Football Club of the English Premier League for seven years.  18. He finished his college career with 67 starts among 68 appearances, with six goals, all coming from the penalty spot, and three assists.  You can read his blog about his senior year here.2008: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation First Team.

2007: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Second Team.

2006: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation First Team.

2005: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Honorable Mention

Combine list

45 Dan Schultz Boston University SR 5′11″ 175 A there year starter who can play both centrally and wide right, Schultz Represented the United States at the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2005.  Frequently a member of Conference All-Academic teams.  Schultz led the Terriers to eight shutouts, including one against then-No. 3 Connecticut, and allowed just two goals in the previous seven games to put BU atop the America East standings.2008: American East First Team.

2007: American East Second Team

Combine list

46 Adam Owens Sacramento State Sr 6′2″ 175 The Sac State all time leader in games played with 74.  A strong center back, three time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Conference performer, and a two year captain.2008: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Second Team.

2007: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation First Team.

2006: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation First Team.

47 Tom Clements Fairfield Sr 6′3″ 205 Another Brit and another 4 year starter, Clements led Fairfield in scoring most of the year and finished with four goals and five assists.  Clements is a four time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honoree.2008: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Second Team.

07; Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Second Team.

2006: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Second Team.

2005: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team.

Combine list

48 Brad Simpson Cincinatti SR-r 6′4″ 185 Simpson, Cinci’s loan senior starter, led the Bearcats with four goals this year.  His stalwart defense contributes to nine shutouts this year and 28 in his career.  Simpson totaled five career goals and was a dangerous option for the Bearcats on restarts and corner kicks.  He finished his career with seven assists and 17 points.  A foru year starter, Simpson red-shirted in 2004 with a injury.2008: Big East Third Team
49 Henry Kalungi Winthrop Sr 6′2″ 175 A former Ugandan U20, Kalungi was the Player of the Year and Defender of the Year for the Uganda Royal College in 2005 before coming to Winthrop.  Played for Hampton Roads Piranhas of the PDL in 2007 and Fredericksburg in 2008.2008: Big South First Team.

2007: Big South Second Team.

2006: Big South First Team.

50 Daniel Gwyther Buffalo Sr 6′0″ 158  Led the Buffs in points for 2008 with four goals, including three game winners, and three assists. A Brit, Gwyther was the Buffalo Top Newcomer in 2005.  Played for the Watford FC and Barnet FC.2008: Mid-American Conference First Team.

2007: Mid-American Conference Second Team.

2006: Mid-American Conference Second Team. 

51 Mike Gelatt Liberty Sr-r 5′10″ 190 A three year starter, Gelatt has started the past 51 Liberty contests.  Helped Liberty post five shutouts this year.2008: Big South First Team.

2007: Big South First Team. 

52 Alejandro Melean Holy Cross SR 6′0″ 160 A three year starter, he finished tied for fourth on the team in scoring with one goal and three assists for four points, including one game-winner.  Scored five goals in 2007 out of the back.2008: Patriot League First Team.

2007: Patriot League First Team

Combine list

53 Ryan Imamura Stanford SR 6′2″ 180 A standout in central defense for a group that allowed only 21 goals all season and never more than two in any game – the only team in the Pac-10 to accomplish the feat.  A sixth year senior, Immamura started his career at Cornell in 2003 and sat out 2004 to transfer to Stanford.  Only made two appearances in 2006. 2008: Pac-10 Second Team

Combine list

54 Paul Pessina Appalachian State Sr-r 6′2″ 185 Led the Apps defense to a conference goals against average with a 1.13 and tied with Georgia Southern for the least goals allowed, with 21.  A four year starter, has played PDL with the Atlanta Silverbacks and Cary Railhawks.2008: Southern Conference First Team. 

2006: Southern Conference First Team.

55 Barry Neville Binghamton SR 5′11″ 175 Scottish. A two-time All conference First team’er. Binghamton team MVP and America East Tourney MVP in 2006.  Led a Bearcat defense ranked first in the American East and seventh in the nation with a 0.55 goals against average.2008: American East First Team.

2007: American East First Team.

2005: American East All-Rookie Team

Combine list





6 Comments

  1. Comment by Hoopfan on January 14, 2009 3:45 PM

    Its UM not MU for michigan

  2. Comment by Hoopfan on January 14, 2009 3:46 PM

    sorry to be pointing out such a small detail..great job on the write ups..its the best combine/pre=draft analysis out there

  3. Comment by Buzz Carrick on January 14, 2009 3:50 PM

    no problem. with the ten thousand words I’ve typed in the last week I’m starting to lose focus. Not worth bothering to edit that.

    Besides Texas is TU… ;)

  4. Pingback by Oh Boy! It’s the SuperDraft - - The Offside - Major League Soccer Blog on January 15, 2009 2:31 AM

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  6. Pingback by Draft Pick Profile: Kevin Alston « RevsNet on January 15, 2009 7:00 PM

    [...] Buzz Carrick, 3rd Degree: “Ridiculously speedy diminutive outside back, runs end to end and can both attack and defend.  Best right back on boards. Generation adidas.  Can play left back despite not being left footed.” [...]

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