Toronto FC kicked off the 2008 MLS SuperDraft with the 9th overall pick and selected defender Julius James from the University of Connecticut. The 23 year old native of Trinidad, played all four seasons at college, and was coached by Ray Reid.
TFC would have selected 2nd overall this year, but the club gave up their number two choice to Dallas last year in the trade that involved bringing Richard Mulrooney to Toronto.
" It's going to take some time for me to step in," said James, "it's going to be a process." "I had no idea Toronto was interested in me, but my mind is really open - I expect a real steep learning curve and I hope the technical staff and the guys over there can just help me out. I know they have the best fans, and I'm really excited to step on the field and play for them."
The 6-0, 180 pound defender was a two time NCAA All-American First team player in both 2006, and 2007, and was a NSCAA All-Northeast First Team player 3 straight seasons from 2005-2007. He was also named Big East Defender of the Year in 3 straight seasons in 2005, 2006 and 2007, also being named to the Big East First Team those same seasons.
James previously played for the U-17 Trinidad National Team.
Johnston had back to back selections, and with his 10th pick overall, he selected midfielder-defender Pat Phelan from Wake Forest University.
The 6-1, 175 pound player was coached by Jay Vidovich, and played out all four seasons - in his final season he was named to the NSCAA All-American First Team, as well as the All-ACC First Team. His other honours include, NSCAA All-South Region First team selection in 2005, and the ACC Freshman Team in 2004.
Phelan was also a member of the U.S. U-18, and U-20 National teams.
"We are delighted to have two players of the quality of Julius and Pat," said Johnston. "Both had superb senior years and we think they are capable of battling for a place in our first eleven. From what we have seen and heard they have all the attributes to be solid professionals."
Johnston's next pick came in the 2nd round, after a trade with the L.A. Galaxy. The Galaxy giving up their 2nd round pick, 28th overall to Toronto in return for allocation money. With their pick, Toronto selected Goalkeeper Brian Edwards from Wake Forest University.
The 6-3, 195 pound Edwards was both a NSCAA All-South First team player as well as the NCAA College Cup Defensive MVP. That same year he was named to the All-ACC First Team, and All-Tournament Team.
"I'm just really excited to play in that environment in Toronto," said Edwards. "I know they sell out all their games, and you could hear them here over the course of the draft giving some of the other fans a little bit of stick. As for me, I know it's going to be a notch up being at the pro level when things really start to count and I'm just looking forward to it."
With his fourth pick, Johnston selected his 2008 draft by selecting defender Mike Zaher of the University of California - Los Angeles. The 5-10 defender was coached by Jorge Salcedo.
Zaher was a NSCAA All-Far West Third Team member in 2007, as well as an All-Pac 10 First Team member - for which he was named in 2006. He also spent time with the U.S. U-18 National Team.
With their 5th and final pick in the 3rd round, 35th overall they selected forward Joseph Lapira of the University of Notre Dame. The 5-8, 150 pound striker was coached by Bobby Clark and was a M.A.C Hermann Trophy finalist in 2007 and winner in 2006. Also in 2007 he was a NSCAA All-American First Team selection and an All-Big East First Team member.
Julius James - Selected 1st round, 9th overall
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
Date of Birth: July 9, 1984
Hometown: Maloney Gardens, Trinidad
College Stats - UCONN
UCONN
Year: 2007, GP: 24, GS: 24, G: 2, A: 1
UCONN
Year: 2006, GP: 19, GS: 19, G: 2, A: 0
UCONN
Year: 2005, GP: 21, GS: 21, G: 2, A: 0
UCONN
Year: 2004, GP: 23, GS: 23, G: 2, A: 0
Totals - GP: 87, GS: 87, G: 8, A: 1
Pat Phelan (pronounced FAYE-len) - Selected 1st round, 10th overall
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Date of Birth: January 16, 1985
Hometown: Enfield, Conn
College Stats - Wake Forest University
Wake Forest
Year: 2007, GP: 25, GS: 25, G: 2, A: 4
Wake Forest
Year: 2006, GP: 17, GS: 15, G: 0, A: 1
Wake Forest
Year: 2005, GP: 21, GS: 21, G: 0, A: 1
Wake Forest
Year: 2004, GP: 19, GS: 18, G: 0, A: 1
Totals - GP: 82, GS: 79, G: 2, A: 7
Brian Edwards - Selected 2nd round, 28th overall
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Date of Birth: October 6, 1984
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
College Stats - Wake Forest University
Wake Forest
Year: 2007, GP: 24, GS: 24, Sv: 62, GA: 21, GAA: 0.96
Wake Forest
Year: 2006, GP: 25, GS: 25, Sv: 90, GA: 23, GAA: 0.98
Wake Forest
Year: 2005, GP: 23, GS: 23, Sv: 77, GA: 19, GAA: 0.72
Wake Forest
Year: 2004, GP: 21, GS: 21, Sv: 49, GA: 12, GAA: 0.50
Totals - GP: 93, GS: 93, Sv: 278, GA: 75, GAA: 0.78
Mike Zaher (pronounced ZAIR) - Selected 3rd round, 30th overall
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Weight: 165
Date of Birth: September 24, 1985
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
College Stats - UCLA
UCLA
Year: 2007, GP: 21, GS: 21, G: 4, A: 3
UCLA
Year: 2006, GP: 23, GS: 23, G: 2, A: 3
UCLA
Year: 2005, GP: 16, GS: 07, G: 1, A: 2
UCLA
Year: 2004, GP: 09, GS: 00, G: 0, A: 0
Totals - GP: 69, GS: 51, G: 7, A: 9
Joseph Lapira - Selected 3rd round, 35th overall
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Weight: 150
Date of Birth: August 13, 1986
Hometown: Lake Charles, LA
Notre Dame
Year: 2007, GP: 24, GS: 20, G: 9, A: 10
Notre Dame
Year: 2006, GP: 23, GS: 20, G: 22, A: 6
Notre Dame
Year: 2005, GP: 23, GS: 16, G: 7, A: 5
Notre Dame
Year: 2004, GP: 19, GS: 05, G: 3, A: 2
Totals - GP: 89, GS: 61, G: 41, A: 23
Toronto FC begins the MLS season Saturday March 29th in Columbus to face the Crew at 4pm. Their home opener at BMO Field will take place April 19th when they host Real Salt Lake, game time TBA.
