Tetteh picked by Seattle in 2nd round

UCSB’s Michael Tetteh was taken by the Seattle Sounders in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday.

Tetteh, a left-sided defender from Ghana, was the 20th pick overall and the final Generation adidas player selected.

“My dream from high school has been to one day play in the MLS,” Tetteh said in a conference call from Baltimore. “Obviously I have worked very, very hard. I have had so many people that have affected my life and helped me throughout the years and this is just the perfect dream coming true for me. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the Seattle club.”

UCSB senior defender Michael Boxall wasn’t taken in the SuperDraft, which was only three rounds. A supplemental draft will be conducted Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Tetteh is the fourth highest Gaucho draft pick in the MLS SuperDraft. In 2008, Ciaran O’Brien (Colorado) and Andy Iro (Columbus) went in the first round and Eric Avila (FC Dallas), a second round draftee, was the 19th overall pick. Chris Pontius (DC United) was a first-round choice in the 2009 draft.

Overall, Tetteh is the 18th UCSB player to be drafted to an MLS team in coach Tim Vom Steeg’s 12 years at the helm.

Five former players currently active in the MLS are Pontius, Iro, Avila, Kyle Reynish (Real Salt Lake) and Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA).

Tetteh played in 59 matches during his three seasons with the Gauchos, starting 50. In 2009, he was a Second Team All-Big West selection and Second Team Far West All-Region pick.

He was the first Big West player to be drafted this year and was the first pick by the Sounders, who traded their No. 11 overall selection and international spot (one season) to Portland for the No. 20 selection and an allocation amount.

Though he was hampered by injuries during the 2010 season, Tetteh tallied a career-best three goals. For his career, he posted six goals, eight assists and 20 points.

“My goal is to go and work hard and be on the starting squad,” Tetteh said. “Obviously, they have great players at Seattle. What I want to do is learn from the other guys and get on the field.”