January 17, 2003

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RICARDO CLARK SELECTED SECOND OVERALL BY METROSTARS

GREENVILLE -- Furman men's soccer standout Ricardo Clark was selected by the MetroStars as the second pick in the first round of the 2003 Major League Soccer Super Draft on Friday.

Virginia's Alecko Eskandarian was the first pick of the draft by DC United, followed by Clark. Portland's Nate Jaqua went third to Chicago, while the MetroStars traded to obtain the fourth selection in which it tabbed Clark's United States Under-20 National Team teammate Mike Magee.

Clark becomes the second highest Furman athlete drafted in a major professional sports draft as Frank Selvy was the first overall pick of the NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets in 1954.

"We will certainly miss Ricardo," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "The MetroStars are getting an incredible athlete, a skilled soccer player, and a tremendous person. He should be able to step in a contribute right away for them this season."

The MetroStars open their preseason training camp on February 3 at Giants Stadium and will train in Florida from February 18-March 11 before heading to Argentina March 14-28 to conclude their preseason.

Clark spent two seasons at Furman before announcing last week that he would forego his final two seasons of eligibility at Furman to play professional soccer. Clark signed a contract with Major League Soccer (MLS) as part of MLS' Project-40 program.

Clark, from Jonesboro, Ga., anchored Furman's midfield over the past two seasons as he scored three goals and recorded four assists for ten points in his career. He was selected to the NSCAA and College Soccer News First Team All-America squads in 2002 and was a first team All-Southern Conference selection and a first team NSCAA All-South region choice as a sophomore.

"I really enjoyed my experience at Furman over the past two seasons," said Clark from his home in Jonesboro, Ga. shortly after signing with MLS. "I feel like I really developed as a player and I had an opportunity to be a part of two great teams, especially this year's team that advanced to the Sweet 16. I just felt like it was time to move on, even though I really enjoyed everything Furman had to offer, both as a soccer player and as a student."

"I am looking forward to making a career out of soccer," added Clark. "Hopefully I can prove myself and display my talent on the field. I think that going to MLS will further my development as a player."

Clark is also a starter on the United States Under-20 National team and has been in the national team program for a number of years. In addition to making a splash on the professional soccer scene with MetroStars, Clark also hopes to further his international playing experience.

Members of the Project-40 team train together and travel overseas together to compete and train. It's members are each on a respective Major League Soccer team's roster and are full members of those teams. Another benefit of the Project-40 program, geared towards underclassmen who turn pro before graduation and high school seniors who elect not to go to college, is that MLS will pay tuition costs for those players who desire to complete their college education. Each of the first five players selected in the draft were Project-40 members.