2012 MLS Draft: UCLA Juniors Kelyn Rowe And Chandler Hoffman Go In First Round

With the third pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, the New England Revolution selected Kelyn Rowe from the UCLA soccer team. Rowe is a junior at UCLA, but will have to leave the program as a result of turning pro. As a Generation Adidas prospect, he will be given scholarship money to complete his education. Rowe was not at the draft to receive his scarf and get his picture taken, as he's at the US U-23 training camp.

From the Generation Adidas press release:

Rowe earned Pac-12 Player of the Year honors after scoring six goals and contributing 10 assists while leading UCLA to the NCAA Men’s College Cup semifinals. Rowe was recently earned his second invite to the US U-23 training camp after having been a fixture at the U-18 and U-20 levels.

Rowe wasn't the only southern California player selected in the first round of the draft. Luis Silva and Sam Garza of UC Santa Barbara was selected by Toronto FC (fourth pick) and the San Jose Earthquakes (sixth pick), respectively. Sam Garza is a Generation Adidas players, from his bio:

With UCSB, Garza contributed 17 goals and 10 assists, and was named Big West Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year and All-Big West First Team in 2010. While at the University of Denver, he was named the 2008 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Newcomer of the Year before transferring to UC Santa Barbara. Garza competed in U-20 World Cup qualifying for the U.S. in 2009.

With the 13th pick, UCLA forward and Generation Adidas member Chandler Hoffman was selected by the Philadelphia Union. From Hoffman's Generation Adidas bio:

Hoffman led the Bruins to the 2011 NCAA Men’s College Cup Semifinals. He scored 18 goals in 2011, ranking first on his squad, first in the Pac-12, and fourth nationally. Hoffman was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team this season and a Third Team NSCAA All-American.

There are four more UCLA players left in the draft, one more player from UC Santa Barbara. USC does not sponsor men's soccer. UC Irvine has one player eligible for the draft.

For more reaction on the Revolution's pick, visit The Bent Musket.