COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew drafted five players in the four-round 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft held today at Noon via conference call.
The Crew drafted Virginia defender Matt Oliver (1st round, 8th overall), St. John's goalkeeper Bill Gaudette (1st round, 9th overall), former Central Florida midfielder Eric Vasquez (2nd round, 20th overall), St. John's defender Ryan Kelly (3rd round, 32nd overall) and Marquette forward Chris Lee (4th round, 44th overall).
MATT OLIVER, Defender (Virginia) - First Round, 8th Overall
The 6-0, 190-pound center back was a NSCAA Second-Team All-American as a senior in 2004. He is a two-time All-ACC First-Team selection and four-year starter for the Cavaliers. Oliver has been a member of the U.S. Under-18 and Under-20 National Team pool.
BILL GAUDETTE, Goalkeeper (St. John's) - First Round, 9th Overall
Gaudette posted an 11-4-4 record, a 0.71 goals against average and eight shutouts as team captain his senior year in 2004. He was an All-Big East Second-Team pick in 2003 and 2002, going 14-5-3 with a 0.86 gaa in 2003, and 13-3-5 with a nation-leading 0.44 gaa in 2002. The 2002 squad also set a school record 13 shutouts. For his career, Gaudette posted a 43-13-12 record.
ERIC VASQUEZ, Midfielder (Central Florida, 2003) - Second Round, 20th Overall
Vasquez was a NSCAA Second-Team All-American in 2003 at Central Florida. He spent the 2004 season with the Central Florida Kraze, helping the Kraze win the PDL Championship and earning First-Team All-League honors. The Miami, Fla. native was a two-time, First-Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection (2003 and 2002). He was called into the U.S. Under-20 National Team camp in 2002.
RYAN KELLY, Defender (St. John's) - Third Round, 32nd Overall
Kelly is a converted forward who had a standout senior season in the back for St. John's, starting 15 games and scoring two goals after moving to the back due to injuries. The 6-1, 180-pound Kelly appeared in all 26 games as a junior and was third on the team in scoring with seven goals and three assists. He played his first two seasons at Virginia before transferring to St. John's. As a two-year starter at Virginia, he tallied 10 goals and four assists. Kelly has been a member of the U.S. Under-18 and Under-20 National Team pool. He is a childhood friend of current Crew midfielder and former St. John's teammate Chris Wingert.
CHRIS LEE, Forward (Marquette) - Fourth Round, 44th Overall
Lee left Marquette as the school's fourth all-time leading goal scorer. He was an All-Conference USA First-Team pick in 2003 and a second-team selection in 2004. He played on an injured knee for most of his senior season and still tallied 10 goals and three assists. As a junior, his 14 goals led Conference USA.
Quoting Crew Head Coach Greg Andrulis
"We are very pleased with the players we selected today. We were able to get the top two players on our board based on our needs. All five players will be given a chance to come in and compete for roster spots."
PLAYER PROFILES
MATT OLIVER
First Round (8th Overall)
Position: Defender
College: Virginia
Date of Birth: Nov. 5, 1981 in Oceanside, CA
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190
Hometown: Waldorf, MD
BILL GAUDETTE
First Round (9th Overall)
Position: Goalkeeper
College: St. John's
Date of Birth: Sept. 14, 1981 in Hummelstown, PA
Hometown: Hummelstown, PA
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
ERIC VASQUEZ
Second Round (20th Overall)
Position: Midfielder
College: Central Florida (2003)
Date of Birth: Nov. 18, 1982 in Miami, FL
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Hometown: Miami, FL
RYAN KELLY
Third Round (32nd Overall)
Position: Defender
College: St. John's
Date of Birth: Nov. 1, 1981 in Philadelphia, PA
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Hometown: Marlton, NJ
CHRIS LEE
Fourth Round (44th Overall)
Position: Forward
College: Marquette
Date of Birth: Dec. 28, 1982 in Tulsa, OK
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
Hometown: Lenexa, KS
