Revolution Draft Midfielder Kelyn Rowe Third Overall
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Revolution went on the offensive in this year's MLS SuperDraft.
With the third overall pick in Thursday's draft, the Revs drafted UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe, who enjoyed a very successful, but brief, career with the Bruins.
The 20-year-old Rowe was the 2011 Pac-12 Player of the Year as a sophomore after scoring six goals and adding a conference-leading 10 assists. He finished his UCLA career with a total of 46 points in 46 games.
But he knows making the jump from college to the pros will take a lot of work.
"It's not going to be given to me," Rowe said on a conference call. "I'm going to have to work hard for it; it's not going to come right away."
Rowe was recently called up to the U.S. Under-23 (Olympic) National Team camp as the squad prepares for the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The Revolution drafted Tyler Polak, a left back from Creighton University, in the second round with the 22nd overall pick. The 19-year-old Polak is a two-time NSCAA All-Midwest honoree, earning the distinction as both a freshman and sophomore
Both players signed Generation adidas contracts with the league prior to the SuperDraft and have been automatically added to New England's roster.
"We're happy with our selections today," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. "To have two picks in the top 22, and to be able to sign two Generation adidas players that can join our roster immediately – we feel that it will be beneficial to both us and the players."
Rowe is expected to report to the Revolution's training camp later in January, following his training commitment to the U.S. Under-23 squad, which is currently in camp in Southern California. Polak is expected to join the Revs on Monday, January 16, when they open camp at Gillette Stadium.
