2007 USL-1 College Player Draft...

The USL-1 held their annual draft yesterday. The expansion Carolina RailHawks held the first pick in the two round draft. Since the USL is the second division of American soccer it doesn't have the attention of all of the college players. However, for those who were drafted by MLS and aren't offered a contract, or for those who slipped through the MLS draft and were taken by a USL-1 team, it still offers the path to professional soccer. MLS standouts like Brian Ching and Pat Onstad fought their way through the USL. Other USL players like recent Yank Abroad addition Cam Weaver cut their teeth in USL.

I've added the USL drafted list to the margin on the right as well. You will notice some of the players were drafted by both MLS and USL-1. I can only assume that USL-1 teams are hopeful that the player will not sign with MLS and will not go abroad. If for some reason the player is signed by the USL team, the MLS team that drafted him will retain their right to the player for two years if at some point another MLS team wants to sign him from the USL team. Very complicated, I know.