Reggaeboyz Web

[rbadmin]

Jamaican international Dane Richards was on Friday selected by Red Bull
New York as their second-round pick (19th overall) in the 2007 MLS
SuperDraft in Indianapolis.

Richards, 23, from Clemson University, and a former Cornwall College
daCosta Cup player, scored a total of 23 goals and 17 assists in 42
games played over two years for Clemson, and he has a handful of caps
with the full Jamaica national senior team, the final one earned in a 1-1
draw against the US last April.

He first represented Jamaica as a schoolboy against St Lucia in that
Eastern Caribbean country over four years ago.

"After years of hard work, it feels very good to have been drafted to play
professional football," Richards told the Observer yesterday.

"My ultimate aim is to play in Europe, but MLS is a nice start, because we
will have a lot of scouts..." added the player, who will join the New York
club for pre-season training at the end of the month, after finalising terms
later this week. The player is not yet aware of the length of his contract
with the club.

Richards was one of two Jamaicans drafted on Friday, the other being 24-
year-old Omar Cummings from Cincinnati. He was drafted by Colorado
Rapids as their fifth choice (31st overall) in the third round. Fifty-two
drafts were made in four rounds.

"We are very happy to have Dane Richards in New York for the
upcoming '07 season," said Red Bull New York technical director Jeff
Agoos, a former American international.

"He offers undeniable speed that is a commodity most players don't
possess. We look forward to bringing a talented, bright young individual
like Dane to our club."

Richards told the Observer that he drew the attention of the Bulls after
competing in two of three games of the Combine Trials in Florida.
"Bruce Arena called me earlier in the week and let me know that he was
interested in drafting me," Richards said. "My only family in the United
States lives in the New York area and I'm excited to play for the Red
Bulls. I'll come in fit in the pre-season and will do my best to help the Red
Bulls have a successful season."

Now the 5'7", 153lb player is looking to adjust to the professional league
as quickly as possible in an effort to earn a regular place in the team.

"I want to get used to the speed of play at the professional level, and
then get on the right track with Bruce Arena," he said.

Coached by Trevor Adair, Richards earned a number of awards this past
season. He was on the NSCAA All-America second team, NSCAA All-South
first team and second team All-ACC.

Prior to attending Clemson, Richards played for the San Jacinto Junior
College in Houston, TX and was named the national junior player of the
year in 2004.