A draft lottery will be held on Wednesday afternoon to determine the Major League Soccer destination of former UCLA standout and U.S. youth national team member Alex Yi, signed by the league earlier this week. The lottery will be held at 3 p.m. ET to determine which team will have the first opportunity to sign the Easton, Md., native.
Four of 12 MLS teams have opted to participate in the weighted lottery including FC Dallas, San Jose, D.C. United and Real Salt Lake. The weighted lottery leaves Dallas (53%) with the best statistical chance of snagging the former Hermann Trophy finalist, who has been plying his trade of late with Royal Antwerp FC in Belgium. The Earthquakes have a 35% chance, while D.C. United (10.4%) and Real Salt Lake (1.6%) bring up the rear.
Yi has been on the national scene in the USA since joining the under-17 national team while in high school. He made the permanent move to the U-17 residency camp in Bradenton, Fla., before joining UCLA for the 2000 season. That year he was named the Pacific-12 Conference Freshman of the Year. Yi left the Bruins in 2002 to start his professional career in Belgium.
With good size (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) and speed, Yi is a strong defender likely to fight for a starting position in MLS.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
