Jan. 20, 2006
Former University of New Mexico men’s soccer midfielder Lance Watson was the first Lobo taken in the 2006 Major League Soccer SuperDraft today. Watson was chosen with the 16th overall pick, the fourth selection in the second round, by the Kansas City Wizards. Fellow midfielder Brandon Moss was taken in the third round with the 27th overall pick by the Columbus Crew while defender Josh Brown was taken in the fourth round by the Colorado Rapids.
Watson was one of three Lobo All-Americans in 2005, along with teammates Jeff Rowland and Andrew Boyens. He led the team with a career-high nine assists and leaves UNM with 22 helpers, the second most in school history. He was third on the team in scoring last season with 15 points, adding three goals on the year. Watson was also on the 2005 College Cup All-Tournament team, leading UNM to the national title game for the first time in school history. He was also a three-time all-region and four-time All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation player. Watson returns to familiar territory after training with the Wizards in Kansas City last summer. Kansas City finished in fifth place in the Eastern Conference last season with an 11-9-12 record.
“It’s pretty exciting,” stated Watson. “Going to Kansas City, a place I am familiar with, should help with the transition. This has always been a goal of mine. After dreaming about it as a high school player, and now seeing it come true, is just unbelievable.”
Moss was one of the most solid players in the nation last season, controlling play for the Lobos as a defensive midfielder. He scored a goal and had two assists while starting all 23 games in 2005. He is a two-time all-region and four-time All-MPSF player at New Mexico. He played in 83 career games, tying for the all-time lead at UNM. Moss joins a Crew squad that finished last in the Eastern Conference with an 11-16-5 record in 2005. He joins national title game foe, Jason Garey of Maryland, who was taken by Columbus in the first round.
Josh Brown was taken with the 45th overall pick by the Colorado Rapids. |
Brown was a one-year wonder for the Lobos in 2005 after transferring from Portland over the summer. Brown’s physical play in the backline led UNM to a school-record 13 shutouts and a 0.64 g.a.a. He started 22 games as a central defender for UNM last season and was an All-MPSF selection. He is also returning to a familiar situation after playing for the Rapids’ reserve team last summer. Colorado finished third in the Western Division with a 13-13-6 record in 2005.
Hermann Trophy Finalist and two-time All-American Jeff Rowland will once again have to take the hard road after not hearing his name called in the SuperDraft. Despite scoring 35 goals and being recognized as one of the top players in college soccer over the last two years, Rowland was not among the 48 players selected today. He has a history of being looked over and then working his way to the top after joining the Lobos as a non-recruited walk-on out of high school. Rowland could still be selected in the MLS Supplemental Draft next weekend.
Watson is the first Lobo to be selected in the MLS SuperDraft. Richard Farrer (1990-92) was taken in the 12th round with the 113th overall pick in 1996 in the MLS Inaugural Draft. Edmundo Rodriguez (1991-92) was selected with the second pick of the 1996 MLS Supplemental Draft by the NY/NJ MetroStars.