The Seattle Sounders FC selected University of California, Santa Barbara defender/midfielder Michael Tetteh with its top pick (20th overall) in Thursday's Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
"Michael Tetteh is a guy who can play left back and can play left midfield," said Sounders FC Technical Director Chris Henderson. "He has good technique and he can get up and down the line. He is confident coming out of the left."
Tetteh, who was born in Accra, Ghana, is a Generation adidas player. He played three seasons at UCSB and earned second team Far West All-Region and second team All-Big West distinction in his sophomore year. In his junior season, he scored a career-high three goals, including a late strike against the University of California after he returned to the game from injury. Tetteh finished his collegiate career having started 50 of 59 appearances and scored six goals with eight assists.
"My goal is to go there and work hard and be on the starting squad," said Tetteh. "With the style of play that Seattle plays, I think it's going to be a very good fit for me."
Sounders FC traded its first round pick (11th overall) and an international roster slot for one year to the Portland Timbers for the second pick in the second round (20th overall) and allocation money.
With its second pick in the second round (21st overall), the Sounders FC selected Southern Methodist University defender Juan (Leone) Cruz. Cruz spent four years at SMU, including a medical redshirt in the 2007 season. He appeared in 67 games with nine goals and five assists, including a career-high three assists in his senior season. Cruz was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team after appearing in 20 games as a freshman.
Seattle selected Servando Carrasco with its third pick in the second round (27th overall). The University of California midfielder/forward earned All-Pac-10 first-team and NSCAA Far West Regional third-team honors as a senior. He was also a two-time All-Pac-10 second-team selection. Carrasco finished his collegiate career with 70 starts in 73 appearances. He scored a career-high seven goals with three assists in 2010. Carrasco was named to the Pac-10 all-academic second team as a sophomore and honorable mention as a junior and senior.
With its fourth pick in the second round (29th overall), the Sounders FC selected Monmouth University goalkeeper Bryan Meredith. The 6-2 keeper led the nation in goals against average (0.306) as a junior and also ranked third in the nation in save percentage (88.9%). As a junior, he earned NSCAA/adidas North Atlantic Region First Team accolades and was also named to the All-Northeast Conference Second Team.
With its fifth and final selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, the Sounders FC selected Alex Caskey with the 47th overall pick. Caskey, a midfielder from Davidson University, was a two-year captain who was named to the All-Southern Conference first team three consecutive years. Caskey did not miss a match in his four-year career and started all 76 games.
All SuperDraft selections are expected to report to Seattle later this month for preseason training. The Sounders FC is to begin its third MLS season by hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS First Kick 2011 on March 15 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.
Sounders FC 2011 SuperDraft Selections
Michael Tetteh
2nd Round, 2nd Pick, 20th Overall
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Birthdate: 1/16/1989
Hometown (Citizenship): Accra, Ghana (Ghana)
College: UCSB (2008-10)
High School: Dunn HS
Pronunciation: TETT-tay
Juan (Leone) Cruz
2nd Round, 3rd Pick, 21st Overall
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 172
Birthdate: 6/13/1987
Hometown (Citizenship): Round Rock, Texas (Mexico/USA)
College: Southern Methodist University
High School: Round Rock HS
Servando Carrasco
2nd Round, 9th Pick, 27th Overall
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Birthdate: 8/13/1988
Birthplace (Citizenship): San Diego, Calif. (USA)
College: University of California
High School: St. Augustine HS
Pronunciation: sir-VAWN-dough cuh-ROSS-coh
Bryan Meredith
2nd Round, 11th Pick, 29th Overall
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175
Birthdate: 8/2/1989
Birthplace (Citizenship): Scotch Plains, N.J. (USA)
College: Monmouth University
High School: Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS
Alex Caskey
3rd Round, 11th Pick, 47th Overall
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 152
Birthdate: 7/22/1988
Birthplace (Citizenship): Dunwoody, GA (USA)
College: Davidson College
High School: Dunwoody HS
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