University of Connecticut Athletics
Stephen Arias Chosen by Chivas USA in 2005 MLS SuperDraft
1/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BALTIMORE, Md. (January 14, 2005) - Senior back Stephen Arias (Bakersfield, Calif.) of the University of Connecticut men’s soccer team was selected by Chivas USA as the second pick in the fourth round (38th overall pick) of the 2005 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft held in Baltimore, Md., at the Baltimore Convention Center on Friday afternoon.
Arias played in 54 games over his career at Connecticut, with 44 starts, and scored one goal and seven assists for nine career points. As a junior, he earned the team’s Eric S. Lund Award for Most Improved Player. Club Deportivo Chivas USA is one of two expansion teams that begin play in the MLS in 2005.
Connecticut has had 11 former soccer players join the MLS over the last six years, including four draft picks during the 2002 SuperDraft. Most recently, in 2004, Lindon Pecorelli was selected by the San Jose Earthquakes as the 10th pick in the third round. In 2003, Damani Ralph was drafted by the Chicago Fire and Shavar Thomas joined the Dallas Burn. Chris Gbandi was the overall No. 1 draft pick by the Dallas Burn in the SuperDraft in 2002, and was joined by Sam Forko and Mansour Ndiaye who were drafted by the NY/NJ Metro Stars and Bryheem Hancock who joined the Los Angeles Galaxy. In 2001, after UConn claimed the 2000 National Championship title, Brent Rahim was drafted by Los Angeles and Darin Lewis was picked up by the Metro Stats. Bobby Rhine and Maurizio Rocha became the first Huskies to be drafted into the MLS in 1999. Rhine became a member of the Dallas Burn, while Rocha was drafted by the Miami Fusion as a Project-40 athlete.
