FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution announced today that the team has signed New Zealand international defender Tony Lochhead. He was selected by the Revolution in the 3rd round (33rd overall) of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. Lochhead will count as a Senior International on the Revolution's developmental roster and will join the team once his work visa paperwork is approved. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
"Tony is a tough and experienced defender," said Revolution head coach Steve Nicol. "He has a track record as a full international and comes from one of the top college programs in the country."
Playing for the New Zealand National Team, Lochhead was a star in the "All Whites" defense in Oceania World Cup qualifying. As member of New Zealand's Olympic Team, Lochhead anchored the Kiwi defense that came within two goals of qualifying for the 2004 Games in Athens and he was also voted New Zealand Soccer's Young International Player of the Year.
In his four years at University of California - Santa Barbara, Lochhead missed just five matches, all because of suspension or national team duty. The 7,546 minutes played in his career are the most of any field player in UCSB history. He capped his four-year college career at UCSB by helping lead the Gauchos to the NCAA Division I College Cup Final. After his senior year, Lochhead was named NSCAA All-America Second Team, the highest honor ever bestowed upon a UCSB player, as well as making the All-Big West First Team and being named Big West Defensive Player of the Year.
The Revolution also announced that goalkeeper Kyle Singer has been placed on waivers. Singer, selected by the Revolution out of Boston College in 2003 MLS SuperDraft, (3rd Round, 29th overall pick), appeared in one regular season match between 2003-2005.
The first-place Revolution (15-5-6, 51 pts.) will play Eastern Conference opponents the MetroStars (9-7-10, 37 pts.) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 17 at Giants Stadium (TV - WB56; Radio - WRKO 680 AM). The Revolution can clinch a playoffs berth with a victory.
Call 1-877-GET-REVS for Revolution ticket information.
Tony Lochhead
Jersey Number: 19
Position: Defender
HT: 6' 0" WT: 175
DOB: January 12, 1982 (Tauranga, New Zealand)
Hometown: Tauranga, New Zealand
College: University of California - Santa Barbara
Last Club: Orange County Blue Star (PDL)
