Goalkeeper Josh Ford of the University of Connecticut, University of California at Irvine defender Corey Attaway and Seattle University midfielder Sean Morris round out the Sounders 2011 draft class.
RENTON, WASH. - Three players were selected by the Seattle Sounders FC in Tuesday's Major League Soccer 2011 Supplemental Draft.Â
Goalkeeper Josh Ford of the University of Connecticut was taken with the 11th overall pick of the first round. University of California at Irvine defender Corey Attaway was drafted 29th overall and Seattle University midfielder Sean Morris was chosen 47th overall.
Ford, 23, was a four-year starter at UConn. He was named the 2010 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year and also earned First Team College Soccer News All-American and All-Big East First Team honors as a senior. Ford holds the school record for career shutouts (50), consecutive starts (85) and wins (54).
"Josh Ford is a very athletic, quick keeper who comes up with big saves when you need them," said Sounders FC Technical Director Chris Henderson. "He made some good reflex saves at both our combine and the MLS Combine, plus we had seen him a couple times during the season."
A four-year starter for UC Irvine, Attaway earned honorable mention All-Big West as a junior and was first team NSCAA Scholar All-America as a senior. He finished his career with 71 starts, and as a senior he ranked third on the team in points with five goals and three assists.
"Corey's a good, solid right back that we saw during the year," Henderson said. "He's good on the ball, he had a solid combine in Las Vegas and because of (assistant coach and scout) Kurt Schmid's past involvement at UC Irvine we have a very good sense of his ability."
With its final pick in the Supplemental Draft, Sounders FC selected Seattle University midfielder Sean Morris. Morris, 22, started all 16 appearances as a senior and led the team in shots and shots on goal. Morris is a Bothell native who attended Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle.
"Being local, we had a number of opportunities to see Sean Morris, a homegrown player from Seattle U.," Henderson said. "For him to get a chance with us is great."
Prior to the supplemental draft, Sounders FC had selected five players in the MLS SuperDraft on January 13.
The season begins March 15 when Sounders FC will host the L.A. Galaxy in First Kick 2011. The match on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field will be nationally televised by ESPN. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.
The Sounders FC home schedule will include matches with MLS newcomers Portland and Vancouver, plus an international friendly against a soon-to-be-announced opponent. Deposits for 2011 season tickets are currently being accepted. To join, please call 877-MLS-GOAL.
Josh Ford
1st Round, 11th Pick, 11th Overall
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175
Birthdate: 11/6/1987
Hometown (Citizenship): Liverpool, New York (USA)
College: University of Connecticut (2007-10)
High School: Liverpool HS
Corey Attaway
2nd Round, 11th Pick, 29th Overall
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Hometown (Citizenship): Chino, Calif. (USA)
College: University of California, Irvine
High School: Chino HS
Sean Morris
3rd Round, 11th Pick, 47th Overall
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Birthdate: 9/18/1988
Hometown (Citizenship): Bothell, Wash. (USA)
College: Seattle University
High School: Bishop Blanchet HS
