The Columbus Crew drafted three players today in the Four-Round 2005 MLS SuperDraft held at the Baltimore Convention Center.
The Crew drafted North Carolina midfielder Marcus Storey (2nd round, 20th overall), Maryland midfielder Domenic Mediate (2nd round, 23rd overall) and Michigan forward Knox Cameron (4th round, 44th overall).
MARCUS STOREY, Midfielder (North Carolina) - Second Round, 20th Overall
The 5-9, 155-pound speedster ended his career with 29 goals and 21 assists in 86 games for the Tarheels. The two-time First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick in 2004 and 2003 can play as a wide midfielder or as a forward. Storey was also the 2001 ACC Rookie of the Year and named a Freshman All-American by Soccer America.
"I'm very excited to be drafted by Columbus and to play in MLS," said Storey. "A good friend of mine, David Testo, who I played with at North Carolina is there and I am looking forward to playing with him. They have a great coaching staff and a great stadium. I won a National Championship as a freshman at Crew Stadium and it should be fun to get back up there. I feel I can add some speed on the flank and will try and provide service to the scorers."
DOMENIC MEDIATE, Midfielder (Maryland) - Second Round, 23rd Overall
Mediate wrapped up his Maryland career with 26 goals and 17 assists. The speedy, two-way player appeared in 80 games in his career, with 72 starts. The 5-9, 165-pound midfielder helped Maryland to three NCAA Final Four appearances.
"It's a good feeling to be drafted," said Mediate. "I really wasn't sure what to expect but I am very happy to be heading to Columbus. I am looking forward to coming in and getting some experience, working hard and improve. I have heard nothing but good things about Columbus. They have a great stadium and a great fan base."
KNOX CAMERON, Forward (Michigan) - Fourth Round, 44th Overall
Cameron, a four-year starter at Michigan, ended his career as the school's all-time leader in both goals (28) and points (72). The physically imposing forward was a National Player of the Year candidate and Team captain as a senior. The Kingston, Jamaica native was the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and NSCAA Third-Team All-American as a junior when he set a school record with 33 points on 12 goals and nine assists. He was also a member of the U.S. Under-20 and U-18 National Teams.
"It is a relief hearing your name called," said Cameron. "You sit here and watch all the names go by and to get drafted is a good feeling. Columbus is a good place to play and they were very successful last season. It's also close to where I have my ties so that is a benefit. I just want to come in and work as hard as I can at improving. Columbus was a well oiled machine last year and I just want to try and contribute any way I can."
Quoting Crew Head Coach Greg Andrulis
"You want to be in the action a little bit more, obviously, but it wasn't our year to be in the action in the top part of it," said Andrulis. "We are very excited about the players we got and excited to get them in camp. What we wanted to get out of the draft, if we could, was to get a couple of wide guys that can come in and compete for some playing time and I think we did that with both Storey and Mediate. Storey can play wide right or up front. He has tremendous pace and is good one-on-one. He has a real bright future. And Domenic Mediate on the other side has got incredible pace too. He scores huge goals in big games and both have had very good careers. They are two pieces of the puzzle. Knox is a physical dominating player who gives us another attacking option up top. We came into the draft with a specific purpose and we think we addressed our needs.
