No UCSB players have been signed to Generation adidas contracts for the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.
Nine college underclassmen have been selected to sign contracts thus far, according to Soccer by Ives.
Five of the signees are from Akron’s national championship team: freshman midfielder Perry Kitchen, defender Kofi Sarkodie, forward Darlington Nagbe, defender Zarek Valentin and midfielder Michael Nanchoff.
The other signees are Indiana forward Will Bruin, Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath, Penn State forward Corey Hertzog and U.S. under-20 striker Omar Salgado.
Most of the players are expected to go in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 13.
Gauchos Michael Tetteh, Danny Barrera and Luis Silva had been mentioned on some Internet sites as possible Generation adidas picks.
Former UCSB standouts Eric Avila (FC Dallas) and Ciaran O’Brien (Colorado Rapids) were Generation adidas signees. Both players graduated from the program this year.
The Generation adidas program is designed to fast track talented select college underclassmen and high school seniors into the professional game. Players receive incentive-laden contracts that would be greater than they would might receive if they had completed their college careers. Players also are provided with money to continue their education.
The players are recommended by MLS coaches, with some input from adidas.
