Photo courtesy of UCLA
With the 2012 MLS SuperDraft around the corner, the final additions to the draft class are being made through the Generation adidas process.
Over the next week, MLSsoccer.com's college/youth expert, Travis Clark, will reveal and analyze the 2012 members of the GA class.
Today, we take a look at UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe.
1. He’s a creative force in the middle
A dangerous player with the ball as his feet, Rowe best fits the mold of a creative No. 10, and is a very technical player and a great passer. In two seasons at UCLA, he scored 13 goals and contributed 20 assists.
2. He hails from Sounders country
Rowe’s playing days began in Federal Way, Wash., not too far from downtown Seattle where the Sounders play. He was a star for Crossfire Premier, one of the region’s top youth clubs, before departing for UCLA.
3. He can score some great goals
While he’s not primarily known a goal scorer, most of his tallies this season are of high quality, from the give-and-go he scored in the national semifinal, to his game-winner against the University of San Diego, a 30-yard strike from distance.
4. He’s a part of the US youth setup
After a standout freshman season in 2010, Rowe landed on the radar of the US Under-20 qualifying team, and was one of the few bright spots in the failed qualifying efforts for the 2011 U-20 World Cup this past March.
He also took part in the Under-23 camp in December, and is an Olympic hopeful.
5. He’s a bit like…
Eric Avila. A creative fulcrum in the middle of the field, he can set teams up as well as chip in a spectacular goal here and there.
