Where Are They Now II, the U-17 Bradenton Class of 2000….
Recently I did my best to track down the first Bradenton Residency Class of ’99. I found most of them, however some readers were helpful in filling in some of the blanks. If you’re not already a member of BigSoccer, head on over to see some of the updates. I figured it was only right to continue down this path with Where Are They Now II, the Class of 2000 (once again, the class of 2000 is the group that arrive in the Spring of 2000 and was there in the fall of 2000). This time around I won’t go as in depth, so we’ll focus more on their college and their current situation. That’ll keep me from having so many installments.
First off, once again the official total of players at the residency program was 20, however this class has 24 and each semester only had 18…go figure. Some of these guys skipped college and went straight to the pros. Others went to college and got to the pros more recently, others are out of the soccer world so far as I can tell.
Craig Capano - In 2001 was the youngest member of the Parade Magazine All-American team. With the U-17’s he was capped 93 times and played in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Youth Championships. Has played for the U-18 and U-20 teams. Left Bradenton after his Fall of 2001 semester and was drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 2002 SuperDraft at the age of 16. 2004 was Craig’s best season in MLS, he scored his first goal and played in the most matches in his young career. The 2005 season never started for Capano as he had reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL in March of 2005. 2006 was another season of recovery for Capano where he just played for the Chicago reserves, never getting into a Senior match. At this point Capano looks like a young star who hasn’t grown into the pro game and injuries haven’t made that any easier.
David Chun - After leaving Bradenton in the Spring of 2001, Chun enrolled at SMU in Texas. Had a strong career at SMU serving as Co-Captain and midfield ironman, playing in all of their games his Junior season. Played on the U-14, U-16, U-17 & U-20 US youth teams. Chun was selected by the Columbus Crew with the 15th pick in the 2006 Supplemental Draft, however he didn’t secure a roster spot with the club and decided to finish school.
Daniel Fiore – Spent the Spring semester of 2000 at Bradenton and then disappeared. I can’t find him on-line other than at Bradenton, I can’t find him in the USL...I can’t find him. So if anyone out there has any information, post away.
Hunter Freeman – Freeman spent two semesters at Bradenton before enrolling at The University of Virginia in 2002. He immediately made it onto the starting roster and went on to have a strong college career at UVA. After his Junior season, he joined MLS as a P-40/generation adidas player (I can’t remember the exact year of name change) and was drafted in the first round of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids. As a rookie he got plenty of playing time on the Rapids back line and in his second year he drifted in and out of the starting right back position. Freeman has played for many of the youth national teams.
Gray Griffin – Griffin spent four semesters at Bradenton before enrolling at Furman University in 2002. Tragically he was killed in a car accident just over four years ago, in October of 2002. He played in 12 matches his freshman year before the accident. Also injured in the accident were Bradenton classmates Chefik Simo and Josh Villalobos.
Jordan Harvey – After Bradenton Harvey decided to play his college soccer at UCLA. He finished a strong career there and was drafted by the Colorado Rapids in the 1st round of the 2006 Supplemental Draft. He didn’t see any playing time this season with the Rapids and will no doubt have new competition for those precious 10 developmental spots after next year’s draft. He did help the Rapids win the 2006 Reserve League Championship.
David Johnson – When you have a generic name, searching on the internet gets difficult. However, I was able to coble together the fact that after Johnson left Bradenton in the Spring of 2001 and at some point joined the Dutch club William II and their youth system. I can’t tell if he ever went to college. In 2005 he popped up with the LA Galaxy and played in some reserve matches but didn’t get a contract in 2006. He didn’t play in the USL in 2006 either, so I don’t know where he’s gone.
Eddie Johnson – As American soccer fans we all know the story of Eddie Johnson. Upon leaving residency in 2001 he was drafted 19th overall by Dallas in the MLS SuperDraft. Looking at the names taken ahead of him is certainly an interesting walk down memory lane (http://www.mlsnet.com/history/archive.jsp?year=2001&content=superdraft). Johnson bumped along at Dallas always as a kid with promise, not reaching his potential. All of a sudden in 2004 he goes from 0 to 100 miles per hour and ties for the league lead in goals. That same year he started to light up the Men’s National Team during qualification for the 2006 World Cup. While playing four matches in 2004 he scored 6 goals. In 2005 his impressive numbers came back down to earth but he continued to impress and lead the team towards Germany. Then came 2006. An off-season trade to Kansas City seems to kill his MLS scoring mojo and he went to Germany as a falling star. His play failed to make and impressing in Germany and he finished the 2006 season with 2 goals and 1 assist. Getting that big MLS contract must have killed his work ethic. Eddie is going to have to do some serious thinking about his career this off-season, or he’ll flame out of stardom as quickly as he entered it.
Paul Johnson – Went to the University of Virginia after leaving Bradenton in 2001 however he didn’t finish all four years there. Once again, that is where the line goes cold. If anyone out there knows where he is…help a brother out.
Chris Lancos – Enrolled at the University of Maryland and was part of the 2005 NCAA Championship team. In the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft he was selected by Real Salt Lake with their last selection. Instead of sticking around MLS, Lancos made the switch across the pond to Germany and FC Kaiserslautern's second team. He is getting playing time with the reserve squad and could someday be the next Steve Cherundolo.
Mike Magee – Mike Magee was New York’s first Josmer Altidore…in a way. He was drafted by the club in the 2003 SuperDraft with the 4th overall pick after finishing high school and the residency program. That spring he became the MetroStars’ youngest player to see the field and then score a goal. In his 4th season with the club, he struggled to firm up a spot on the field but got within 3 games of playing 100 in his career. New York fans continue to brace for the day when he breaks out and becomes the star his youth career seemed to predict.
Justin Mapp – Mapp made the jump to MLS one season before Bradenton class mate Magee. Maybe that’s why I always confuse the two. In his rookie 2002 season , the 17 year old played in a few DC United matches after being selected 4th overall that spring. In 2003 he was traded to Chicago and started getting solid playing time. He continues to hold down a midfield spot for Chicago and has put together some decent career numbers in terms of assists. In the run up to World Cup 2006 he got a sniff at the full National Team but didn’t make the final squad.
Chad Marshall – After the residency program Marshall went to college, attending Stanford University in California. He finished up his freshman year winning the Soccer America Freshman of the Year honor. His sophomore year saw continued success making him a hot college prospect. In 2004 he joined MLS as a P-40 player and was selected second overall behind the most famous MLS draft participant ever, Freddy Adu. Marshall paid immediate dividends for Columbus’ defense and has played himself into the senior national team picture.
Heath Pearce – Pearce moved from Florida to Portland, Oregon making one heck of a shift across the country for college where he enrolled at the University of Portland. After his junior season he decided to give Europe a try and signed with with FC Nordsjælland of the Danish SAS Ligæn midway through the 2004/05 season. He continues to play for FC Nordsjælland and had a good 05/06 season, helping the team win the Viasat Cup as a left back. Former US head coach Bruce Arena introduced many American fans to Pearce for the first time in the run up to World Cup 2006, although he didn’t make it to Germany.
Santino Quaranta – In the spring of 2001 Santino left the residency program to join MLS as a P-40 player. In the 2001 SuperDraft DC United made him the 8th and, at the time, youngest player ever taken in the draft. In his rookie year he played well enough to be named to the MLS All-Star game, again as the youngest ever. A few more years into his career and the once rocketing star was sidelined for all of 2004 with injuries. An off 2005 paved the way for a trade to LA in 2006. This season he played roughly half of the league schedule and only scored three goals. Santino went from future national team star to veteran journeyman, except he just turned 22. Hopefully with some solid coaching in Los Angeles he’ll be able to get back on the path towards the senior National Team.
Zachary Riffett – This keeper only spent one semester in Florida, the rest of his high school experience was in Texas where he was names Adidas/NSCAA National Player of the Year as a senior. After high school he enrolled at Boston University where he took over the starting keeper spot in his junior year. This is his senior season and he a great 0.65 GAA and a .831 save percentage after 16 games.
Marco Rodriguez – Marco was another one and done member of the program in terms of semesters. Since leaving Bradenton he has enrolled at California State – Fullerton and is in his junior season. He has been battling some injuries and has gotten limited playing time in 2006 after losing a season to injury and a red shirt.
Mario Rodriguez – Unfortunately Mario Rodriguez is a very popular name for soccer players. There has been a player by this name playing for the Columbus Crew in MLS, but he is from Guatemala and born in 1981, making him too old. It appears this MR will need to stay open until some reader can help.
Adam Schuerman – Was a Bradenton resident four semesters. After leaving Florida, Schuerman enrolled at the University of Connecticut. From 2002 to 2005 Adam Schuerman was the man between the pipes for the Huskies. Over his four year career he had a solid 0.86 GAA. Adam was not drafted by an MLS team in the 2006 draft.
Chefik Simo – As I said above, Simo was injured in the car accident that killed Bradenton classmate, Gray Griffin. Simo transferred to The University of Virginia from Furman University and in 2004 tried to make a soccer comeback after his serious injuries sustained in the auto accident and he was able to play in 10 matches before doctors recommended quitting the sport. Earlier this year a federal jury ruled in Simo’s favor awarding $7 million from automaker Mitsubishi Motors, saying the car in which the accident happened was defective in its stability.
Jordan Stone – After leaving Bradenton Stone signed on with MLS as a P-40 player and he was selected in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft by Dallas with the 15th overall pick. At the time he was seen as a strong prospect, probably due to the status the residency program was gaining. After three season with the Burn, Stone decided to retire and go to college. He is attending Texas Tech University getting his degree.
Josh Villalobos – Villalobos was also injured in the terrible car accident claiming the life of Bradenton classmate Griffin and seriously injuring classmate Simo. Unlike Simo, Villalobos finished his career at Furman and in January of 2006 was selected by the Atlanta Silverbacks of USL-1 while he was not selected in either of the MLS drafts. Interestingly, he was offered a P-40 deal while still in residency but turned it down, alienating him from coach Ellinger. It looks like he didn’t make it with Atlanta and again that is as far as my research can find.
Tyson Wahl – After residency Tyson attended the University of California at Berkeley. After his senior season he attended the 2006 MLS combine where his stock rose. Kansas City drafted him with the 19th overall selection in the 2006 SuperDraft. In his rookie season he played in 10 matches for the struggling Wizards. The jury is still out on this one.
Ford Williams – Became a North Carolina Blue Heel after leaving the residency program. Between 2002 and 2005 Williams had a strong UNC career. Williams has been in and out of some of the older youth national teams. After graduating from UNC Ford wasn’t drafted by MLS and I can’t find his trail. Again, I need updates people!
So there it is. All in one shot this time. If you made it through the whole list, congrats…it was a long one. Overall I’ve got to give the award for best success of the class to Chad Marshall. He’s made it at all levels of the National program, he’s carved a starting spot out for himself and he’s really been a model professional. Eddie Johnson would have been my answer had I done this a year ago, but he seems to be letting a big contract go to his head. Pearce is playing well abroad and may turn into a bigger success on the international stage if Marshall doesn’t head overseas soon. Stay tuned!
First off, once again the official total of players at the residency program was 20, however this class has 24 and each semester only had 18…go figure. Some of these guys skipped college and went straight to the pros. Others went to college and got to the pros more recently, others are out of the soccer world so far as I can tell.
Craig Capano - In 2001 was the youngest member of the Parade Magazine All-American team. With the U-17’s he was capped 93 times and played in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Youth Championships. Has played for the U-18 and U-20 teams. Left Bradenton after his Fall of 2001 semester and was drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 2002 SuperDraft at the age of 16. 2004 was Craig’s best season in MLS, he scored his first goal and played in the most matches in his young career. The 2005 season never started for Capano as he had reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL in March of 2005. 2006 was another season of recovery for Capano where he just played for the Chicago reserves, never getting into a Senior match. At this point Capano looks like a young star who hasn’t grown into the pro game and injuries haven’t made that any easier.
David Chun - After leaving Bradenton in the Spring of 2001, Chun enrolled at SMU in Texas. Had a strong career at SMU serving as Co-Captain and midfield ironman, playing in all of their games his Junior season. Played on the U-14, U-16, U-17 & U-20 US youth teams. Chun was selected by the Columbus Crew with the 15th pick in the 2006 Supplemental Draft, however he didn’t secure a roster spot with the club and decided to finish school.
Daniel Fiore – Spent the Spring semester of 2000 at Bradenton and then disappeared. I can’t find him on-line other than at Bradenton, I can’t find him in the USL...I can’t find him. So if anyone out there has any information, post away.
Hunter Freeman – Freeman spent two semesters at Bradenton before enrolling at The University of Virginia in 2002. He immediately made it onto the starting roster and went on to have a strong college career at UVA. After his Junior season, he joined MLS as a P-40/generation adidas player (I can’t remember the exact year of name change) and was drafted in the first round of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids. As a rookie he got plenty of playing time on the Rapids back line and in his second year he drifted in and out of the starting right back position. Freeman has played for many of the youth national teams.
Gray Griffin – Griffin spent four semesters at Bradenton before enrolling at Furman University in 2002. Tragically he was killed in a car accident just over four years ago, in October of 2002. He played in 12 matches his freshman year before the accident. Also injured in the accident were Bradenton classmates Chefik Simo and Josh Villalobos.
Jordan Harvey – After Bradenton Harvey decided to play his college soccer at UCLA. He finished a strong career there and was drafted by the Colorado Rapids in the 1st round of the 2006 Supplemental Draft. He didn’t see any playing time this season with the Rapids and will no doubt have new competition for those precious 10 developmental spots after next year’s draft. He did help the Rapids win the 2006 Reserve League Championship.
David Johnson – When you have a generic name, searching on the internet gets difficult. However, I was able to coble together the fact that after Johnson left Bradenton in the Spring of 2001 and at some point joined the Dutch club William II and their youth system. I can’t tell if he ever went to college. In 2005 he popped up with the LA Galaxy and played in some reserve matches but didn’t get a contract in 2006. He didn’t play in the USL in 2006 either, so I don’t know where he’s gone.
Eddie Johnson – As American soccer fans we all know the story of Eddie Johnson. Upon leaving residency in 2001 he was drafted 19th overall by Dallas in the MLS SuperDraft. Looking at the names taken ahead of him is certainly an interesting walk down memory lane (http://www.mlsnet.com/history/archive.jsp?year=2001&content=superdraft). Johnson bumped along at Dallas always as a kid with promise, not reaching his potential. All of a sudden in 2004 he goes from 0 to 100 miles per hour and ties for the league lead in goals. That same year he started to light up the Men’s National Team during qualification for the 2006 World Cup. While playing four matches in 2004 he scored 6 goals. In 2005 his impressive numbers came back down to earth but he continued to impress and lead the team towards Germany. Then came 2006. An off-season trade to Kansas City seems to kill his MLS scoring mojo and he went to Germany as a falling star. His play failed to make and impressing in Germany and he finished the 2006 season with 2 goals and 1 assist. Getting that big MLS contract must have killed his work ethic. Eddie is going to have to do some serious thinking about his career this off-season, or he’ll flame out of stardom as quickly as he entered it.
Paul Johnson – Went to the University of Virginia after leaving Bradenton in 2001 however he didn’t finish all four years there. Once again, that is where the line goes cold. If anyone out there knows where he is…help a brother out.
Chris Lancos – Enrolled at the University of Maryland and was part of the 2005 NCAA Championship team. In the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft he was selected by Real Salt Lake with their last selection. Instead of sticking around MLS, Lancos made the switch across the pond to Germany and FC Kaiserslautern's second team. He is getting playing time with the reserve squad and could someday be the next Steve Cherundolo.
Mike Magee – Mike Magee was New York’s first Josmer Altidore…in a way. He was drafted by the club in the 2003 SuperDraft with the 4th overall pick after finishing high school and the residency program. That spring he became the MetroStars’ youngest player to see the field and then score a goal. In his 4th season with the club, he struggled to firm up a spot on the field but got within 3 games of playing 100 in his career. New York fans continue to brace for the day when he breaks out and becomes the star his youth career seemed to predict.
Justin Mapp – Mapp made the jump to MLS one season before Bradenton class mate Magee. Maybe that’s why I always confuse the two. In his rookie 2002 season , the 17 year old played in a few DC United matches after being selected 4th overall that spring. In 2003 he was traded to Chicago and started getting solid playing time. He continues to hold down a midfield spot for Chicago and has put together some decent career numbers in terms of assists. In the run up to World Cup 2006 he got a sniff at the full National Team but didn’t make the final squad.
Chad Marshall – After the residency program Marshall went to college, attending Stanford University in California. He finished up his freshman year winning the Soccer America Freshman of the Year honor. His sophomore year saw continued success making him a hot college prospect. In 2004 he joined MLS as a P-40 player and was selected second overall behind the most famous MLS draft participant ever, Freddy Adu. Marshall paid immediate dividends for Columbus’ defense and has played himself into the senior national team picture.
Heath Pearce – Pearce moved from Florida to Portland, Oregon making one heck of a shift across the country for college where he enrolled at the University of Portland. After his junior season he decided to give Europe a try and signed with with FC Nordsjælland of the Danish SAS Ligæn midway through the 2004/05 season. He continues to play for FC Nordsjælland and had a good 05/06 season, helping the team win the Viasat Cup as a left back. Former US head coach Bruce Arena introduced many American fans to Pearce for the first time in the run up to World Cup 2006, although he didn’t make it to Germany.
Santino Quaranta – In the spring of 2001 Santino left the residency program to join MLS as a P-40 player. In the 2001 SuperDraft DC United made him the 8th and, at the time, youngest player ever taken in the draft. In his rookie year he played well enough to be named to the MLS All-Star game, again as the youngest ever. A few more years into his career and the once rocketing star was sidelined for all of 2004 with injuries. An off 2005 paved the way for a trade to LA in 2006. This season he played roughly half of the league schedule and only scored three goals. Santino went from future national team star to veteran journeyman, except he just turned 22. Hopefully with some solid coaching in Los Angeles he’ll be able to get back on the path towards the senior National Team.
Zachary Riffett – This keeper only spent one semester in Florida, the rest of his high school experience was in Texas where he was names Adidas/NSCAA National Player of the Year as a senior. After high school he enrolled at Boston University where he took over the starting keeper spot in his junior year. This is his senior season and he a great 0.65 GAA and a .831 save percentage after 16 games.
Marco Rodriguez – Marco was another one and done member of the program in terms of semesters. Since leaving Bradenton he has enrolled at California State – Fullerton and is in his junior season. He has been battling some injuries and has gotten limited playing time in 2006 after losing a season to injury and a red shirt.
Mario Rodriguez – Unfortunately Mario Rodriguez is a very popular name for soccer players. There has been a player by this name playing for the Columbus Crew in MLS, but he is from Guatemala and born in 1981, making him too old. It appears this MR will need to stay open until some reader can help.
Adam Schuerman – Was a Bradenton resident four semesters. After leaving Florida, Schuerman enrolled at the University of Connecticut. From 2002 to 2005 Adam Schuerman was the man between the pipes for the Huskies. Over his four year career he had a solid 0.86 GAA. Adam was not drafted by an MLS team in the 2006 draft.
Chefik Simo – As I said above, Simo was injured in the car accident that killed Bradenton classmate, Gray Griffin. Simo transferred to The University of Virginia from Furman University and in 2004 tried to make a soccer comeback after his serious injuries sustained in the auto accident and he was able to play in 10 matches before doctors recommended quitting the sport. Earlier this year a federal jury ruled in Simo’s favor awarding $7 million from automaker Mitsubishi Motors, saying the car in which the accident happened was defective in its stability.
Jordan Stone – After leaving Bradenton Stone signed on with MLS as a P-40 player and he was selected in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft by Dallas with the 15th overall pick. At the time he was seen as a strong prospect, probably due to the status the residency program was gaining. After three season with the Burn, Stone decided to retire and go to college. He is attending Texas Tech University getting his degree.
Josh Villalobos – Villalobos was also injured in the terrible car accident claiming the life of Bradenton classmate Griffin and seriously injuring classmate Simo. Unlike Simo, Villalobos finished his career at Furman and in January of 2006 was selected by the Atlanta Silverbacks of USL-1 while he was not selected in either of the MLS drafts. Interestingly, he was offered a P-40 deal while still in residency but turned it down, alienating him from coach Ellinger. It looks like he didn’t make it with Atlanta and again that is as far as my research can find.
Tyson Wahl – After residency Tyson attended the University of California at Berkeley. After his senior season he attended the 2006 MLS combine where his stock rose. Kansas City drafted him with the 19th overall selection in the 2006 SuperDraft. In his rookie season he played in 10 matches for the struggling Wizards. The jury is still out on this one.
Ford Williams – Became a North Carolina Blue Heel after leaving the residency program. Between 2002 and 2005 Williams had a strong UNC career. Williams has been in and out of some of the older youth national teams. After graduating from UNC Ford wasn’t drafted by MLS and I can’t find his trail. Again, I need updates people!
So there it is. All in one shot this time. If you made it through the whole list, congrats…it was a long one. Overall I’ve got to give the award for best success of the class to Chad Marshall. He’s made it at all levels of the National program, he’s carved a starting spot out for himself and he’s really been a model professional. Eddie Johnson would have been my answer had I done this a year ago, but he seems to be letting a big contract go to his head. Pearce is playing well abroad and may turn into a bigger success on the international stage if Marshall doesn’t head overseas soon. Stay tuned!
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