I'm not going to try to get yellow cards, obviously, but I'm not going to lower the intensity or physical nature of my game.
BRAD GUZAN, SECOND OVERALL SELECTION (CD CHIVAS USA)
On being surprised at being the second overall pick in the draft:
There were some rumors that I heard. People were saying I might go there, but as a player you try to just ignore it and hope to go to the best possible team where you can make your mark.
On playing for expansion team CD Chivas USA:
I'm thrilled to be going out to L.A. and being in the warm climate and living the California lifestyle. As for starting, you have to work for whatever you get and I'm going in with the mindset that I'm not the No. 1. I'm not sure what coach (Thomas) Rongen's plans are, but I'm going to do my best to earn my spot on the team.
On his short of length of time playing goalkeeper exclusively:
Growing up, I was playing goalkeeper here and there. When I began playing with the Chicago Magic, I was starting in the field. Until I was halfway through high school I was spending half of the time playing the field and the other half between the posts. It was only relatively recently that I began training exclusively as a goalkeeper and obviously, with my two years at South Carolina, I developed my skills and it's worked out for the best.
DANNY O'ROURKE, FOURTH OVERALL SELECTION (SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES)
On being selected by San Jose:
They've had a lot of success in the past, with so many great players. Even with Donovan leaving, there are still a bunch of great players. I'm really excited to go to San Jose.
On concerns about the Earthquakes financial situation:
No, I'm just looking forward to playing there. Whatever happens in the future happens. I can't really be concerned with that; I just need to concentrate on my game.
On the Indiana tradition in Major League Soccer:
Two of my coaches, Todd [Yeagley] and Caleb [Porter], have been in MLS, and I always looked up to them. I've talked to Ned Grabavoy (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Pat Noonan (New England Revolution) they're two close friends. They've helped me along the way and have let me know what to expect with the Combine and the SuperDraft. Because they've been there before, they were able to offer some words of wisdom.
On what he can bring to San Jose:
I would like to bring an MLS Cup to San Jose! And whatever I can do to help with the team, that's what I'll do for them. If they need a holding midfielder, which is what I'm used to, I would love to play that, if they need any other position -- goalie, I don't know -- I'd do that for them.
On the biggest challenge to playing in MLS:
I've practiced with the Fire and the Crew in the past, and it's just the speed of play. Everything's faster, and they're all professional. It's just a different ballgame, and I'm looking forward to getting better every day, and hopefully contributing to the team.
DREW MOOR, SIXTH OVERALL SELECTION (FC DALLAS)
On why he didn't enter the 2004 SuperDraft:
Last year was going to be tough for me. I had just stepped onto the scene and I didn't feel like I was known as much as I was now. There were a lot of great defenders who were entering the draft last year and I just didn't think my stock was going to be as high. I also don't know if I was ready last year to go out and live on my own and take on the responsibility of the being a professional. But with another national championship under my belt, it feels like the right choice.
TROY ROBERTS, EIGHTH OVERALL SELECTION (LOS ANGELES GALAXY)
On what it will take to win a place on the Galaxy:
I know that it's going to be hard work, and I'll need to go in there every day and giving 100 percent. Once I can earn everyone's respect, both the coaches and the players, I can continue to develop from there.
MICHAEL PARKHURST, NINTH OVERALL SELECTION (NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION)
On the significance of being selected by the Revolution:
This is a big step for me, to turn professional and play with the Revolution, especially since I grew up in Rhode Island. I've following the Revolution since Steve Nicol became the head coach, and from everything I've heard and seen he's a fantastic guy and a great coach who's brought his team a lot of success over the past few years.
On what he foresees as his role with his new team:
My strengths are reading the game and distribution. I would be willing to play anywhere I can make a contribution, whether that's in midfield or as an outside defender.
JACK STEWART, 10th OVERALL SELECTION (CHICAGO FIRE)
On not being selected to play in his home area of Los Angeles:
It would be nice to be playing in my backyard, but at some point, you need to grow up and take some time away from home, so there's no disappointment at all. I'm looking forward to our first visit to L.A. during the season and will definitely come out flying in front of my family and friends.
JAMIE WATSON, 13th OVERALL SELECTION (REAL SALT LAKE)
On playing under former U-17 Coach and current RSL Coach John Ellinger:
I don't think I could be any more excited. Coach Ellinger is a great coach and I think everyone in the league would love to play under a coach like him. This was the direction that I wanted my career to go. I wanted to play under someone like Coach Ellinger where I could have fun but at the same time be serious about my game and learn as much as possible. I think he is going to put a winning attitude in everyone's mind, and we will all set out to get the team off on the right foot.
On whether RSL can have the same kind of success that the U-17 team saw under Ellinger:
I hope so. I know that as a player that I evolved into the player I am now under him during my year in residency [at Bradenton Academy]. I think that as a player but more importantly, as a team, we're going to develop rapidly. I think as a team we're going to do very well this year. Don't be surprised to see us in the MLS Cup. That's not a statement I think I have to make but one I can make given the coaching staff we have there.
CHRISTIAN JIMENEZ, 14th OVERALL SELECTION (CD CHIVAS USA)
On where he'll fit in with his new team:
I'm looking at the Mexican players coming up and many of them have a lot of experience, whether it be at the professional level or playing for the Mexican national team. Hopefully, I'll be able to learn from them as I develop my game and try to earn my spot.
MICHAEL ENFIELD, 15th OVERALL SELECTION (LOS ANGELES GALAXY)
On what changes he expects in MLS versus collegiate play:
I can't wait to experience the speed of the game. I've seen it on television as long as the game has been around and am really looking forward to testing myself in that environment.
On the first MLS "derby" in Los Angeles between CD Chivas USA and the Galaxy:
I think it's great for the league and for both teams. It's so exciting to be part of that competition and rivalry, especially since it's all taking place in L.A., where I played in college [UCLA].
RYAN PORE, 16th OVERALL SELECTION (KANSAS CITY WIZARDS)
On playing in Kansas City rather than his home-state Columbus Crew:
I knew I would be a good fit in Kansas City, so I'm happy to go there and do what I can do. It would be nice if it were a Crew scarf, but I'm a Wizard now and I'm committed to helping that organization as best I can.
On the high level of soccer players coming out of the central Ohio area in the draft:
I think that the area was overlooked for a long time, but there's a lot of good players in Ohio. I think it's a testament to the game there that Danny [O'Rourke] and I have come up through that system to do what we've accomplished.
D.C. UNITED HEAD COACH PETER NOWAK:
On what D.C. United is looking for in a draft coming off a championship year:
We will work to make these players better, but at some point they need to make an impact in order for this to be a successful draft. We aren't looking to make big changes, but we can always be better and we are looking for players who can come in and help us do that.
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH BOB GANSLER:
On the Sasha Victorine trade and the draft selections:
We've got somebody now who can help us build the attack through the midfield. We still have areas that we need to work on, but hopefully, we've made some steps in the right direction with today's moves.
COLUMBUS CREW HEAD COACH GREG ANDRULIS:
On the Crew's acquisitions in the draft:
The proof is in the pudding as they say but we're very happy with the three guys that we were able to select today, especially given our position in the draft order. We came in here with some specific purpose and some ideas in mind and we feel really good about what transpired.
CHICAGO FIRE COACH DAVE SARACHAN:
On the Fire's acquisitions in the draft:
From a personal perspective, we went in with a list of players we were hoping to get, and we came out of it with most of them. Taking two rounds out of the draft out made it a little more tricky than previous years, but I'm happy with today's results.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY COACH STEVE SAMPSON:
On selecting players in a college draft versus picking a national team:
When you're selecting national team players, the job is so much easier -- it's very easy to know who the best players are. An enormous amount of work has gone into identifying the top crop of players in this college Draft, especially with regard to who will best fit into our system. I'm very impressed with the results.
