Copyright Intermark_®, LLC.(since 1990) 1994 - 2012, All Rights Reserved

WARNING! Prior Permission from MLS is required for ANY use of Logos, photos, trademarks, etc!

reprint of COLORADO RAPIDS NEWS RELEASE -- byline German Sferra

NEWS RELEASE

RAPIDS ADD FOUR PLAYERS AT 2003 MLS SUPERDRAFT

Colorado Trades Up to Add Speedy Defender Jason Cole From St. Louis University with Top Pick; Forwards Alex Blake and Casey Schmidt and Midfielder Matt Crawford Also Selected From College Ranks

DENVER (Friday, January 17, 2003) - The Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer acquired four new players at the annual SuperDraft in Kansas City on Friday, picking up defender Jason Cole, forward Alex Blake, midfielder Matt Crawford, and forward Casey Schmidt.

The Rapids were without a pick until the third round, when they made a trade with the Columbus Crew to acquire the 27th overall selection in exchange for Colorado's third round pick in 2004 and their sixth round pick in the 2003 draft.

With that 27th overall selection, the Rapids chose speedy defender Jason Cole from St. Louis University. Cole, 22, was also used as a forward in college, where he was named Conference USA's Player of the Year in 2002.

"I'm hoping to go in and make an impact," said Cole after being selected. "I'm going to Denver with an open mind and try to meet everyone and try to contribute as soon as possible. Wherever they play me, I'm going to give it my all and take it from there."

With the very next pick in the draft, # 28 overall, the Rapids selected forward Alex Blake from Williams College. A 22-year-old native of Kingston, Jamaica, Blake left the Division III school as its all-time leading scorer.

The Rapids next selection came in the fourth round, when they picked midfielder Matt Crawford from the University of North Carolina with the 38th overall selection. Crawford, an All-ACC honoree as the club's co-captain in 2002, was a teammate of current Rapids defender Danny Jackson on the 2001 National Championship squad.

Colorado's final pick in the 2003 SuperDraft, the 48th overall selection, was used to acquire another forward, 21-year-old Casey Schmidt from Boston College. Schmidt, a regular starter and team captain for the Eagles, was a first team All-Big East Selection in 2002.

The four players drafted by the Rapids on Friday will join the team for spring training when the squad opens camp to prepare for the 2003 season later this month

The Rapids will kick off the 2003 campaign on April 12 at INVESCO Field at Mile High with a 7:00 pm matchup against the San Jose Earthquakes. Season tickets, Flex Plan packages and Group tickets are now available by calling the Rapids at 303-299-1599.

- - - MINI PLAYER BIOS FOLLOW - - -

Name: Jason Cole
Position: Defender
College: St. Louis University
Ht: 5-10
Wt: 180
Hometown: Raytown, MO
Born: September 26, 1980

- In 2002, C-USA's Player of the Year and C-USA All-Tournament team
- In 2002, moved into a forward's role after three years as a defender and
is C-USA's leading scorer with 42 points (18G, 6A), tied for ninth
nationally at 2.21 ppg through Nov. 25
- In 2002, netted the winner in the C-USA final and named to Soccer
America's Team of the Week for Nov. 17
- In 2001, NSCAA third-team All-Midwest Region selection, collegesoccer.com
honorable mention All-American and C-USA first-team All-Conference

Name: Alex Blake
Position: Forward
College: Williams College
Ht: 6-1
Wt: 176
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Born: October 14, 1980

- All-time leading goal scorer at Williams (81) and all-time leader in
points with 195
- Holds the Williams record for most goals in a season (26), points in a
season (61) and most consecutive games scoring at least one goal (12)
- Two-time NESCAC Player of the Year selection and was the 2001 NSCAA Div
III National Player of the Year.
- First Team All-American for 2000 and 2001, four-time First Team All-NESCAC
honoree, NESCAC Rookie of the Year, NESCAC Player of the Year (junior and
sophomore years)

Name: Matt Crawford
Position: Midfielder
College: University of North Carolina
Ht: 5-10
Wt: 160
Hometown: Durham, NC  
Born: August 20, 1980

- 2002 First-team All-ACC
- UNC team co-captain in 2002
- Started 81 of 89 matches, career 12 goals, 35 assists (second in UNC
history) and 59 total points
- First-team Academic All-America in 2002

Name: Casey Schmidt
Position: Forward
College: Boston College
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 175
Hometown: Newbury Park, CA
Born: June 16, 1981

- Two-time team captain named to the 2002 All-BIG EAST First Team and the
NSCAA All-New England Second Team
- 2001 All-BIG EAST Third Team honoree, despite playing in only four of 10
league games
- Selected to the 2001 NSCAA All-New England Regional All-America third team
- Started 61 of 65 matches played

Back

SoccerNews OnLine_®