United select UCLA midfielder Evan Raynr in second round of MLS Supplemental Draft

Washington, D.C. (January 22, 2013) – D.C. United today announced that the club has selected UCLA midfielder Evan Raynr with the 17th pick in the second round (36th overall selection) of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft. 

Hailing from Calabasas, Calif., Raynr made an immediate impact on a top-ranked UCLA squad, appearing in 18 games and tallying two goals and one assist as a freshman in 2009. The following season, Raynr featured in 22 games and notched three goals and three assists – two of which came in the second round of the NCAA tournament – en route to an Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 selection. Raynr’s junior campaign saw the midfielder dish out two assists in 23 matches and earn Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 accolades. As a senior in 2012, Raynr put together his best collegiate season, leading the Pac-12 with 10 assists and finishing fourth nationally in assists per game (0.63/game). In 16 appearances, the senior also netted three goals and was a Second Team All-Pac-12 honoree.

“Evan comes from a great program at UCLA,” said D.C. United Assistant Coach Chad Ashton. “He is a very dynamic and quick attacking player that we feel can fit into our system. We look forward to bringing him into camp and getting to see him closer.”

A California native, Raynr spent time in residency with the U.S. U-17 National Team and also saw time with the U-18s. In 2007, Raynr was selected as an NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American and was chosen as an NSCAA/adidas Youth All-Region IV honoree the following year. The midfielder played two seasons at Viewpoint High School and led the team to two league titles. Raynr also featured for Real SoCal and was twice awarded the Golden Boot when the club won successive national championships in 2006 and 2007.

Name: Evan Raynr

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-7

Weight: 150

Jersey: --

Date of birth: September 18, 1990

Age: 22

Hometown: Calabasas, Calif.

Citizenship: United States

College: UCLA

Acquired: Selected as the 36th overall pick in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft on January 22, 2013.

Will Bates of UVA Selected by Seattle in MLS Supplemental Draft

Former University of Virginia men's soccer standout, Will Bates, was selected with the number five pick in today's MLS Supplemental Draft.

In his four year collegiate career, Bates scored 46 goals ranking him 7th all-time at the University of Virgina.

Longwood University Senior Jeol Helmick Selected In The MLS Supplemental Draft

JOEL HELMICK SELECTED IN THE MLS SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT

FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood University men’s soccer senior Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) has been selected by the Colorado Rapids with the 14th pick in the fourth round of the 2012 Major League Soccer (MLS) Supplemental Draft. Helmick was a four-year starter for the Lancers and posted a career 1.38 goals against average with 14 shutouts. He is the first Longwood player selected in the MLS Supplemental Draft. Joel is the son of Jeff and Claudia Helmick.

“This is a great day for Joel and his family, as well as Longwood and the Lancer soccer program, as we can all share and celebrate his draft to the Colorado Rapids,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “Joel is a beacon for future aspiring athletes at Longwood, and a testimony that hard work and dedication, along with talent, can get you closer to your dream no matter the size of the school nor the history of a program. We wish Joel all the best and pray he goes all the way as he embarks on what will be a challenging preseason with a professional MLS outfit.”

Helmick started 71 of 74 matches and played 6637:22 in goal over his four-year career. He made 273 saves for a .728 save percentage and posted a 25-31-13 record. Helmick had his best season as a senior with a career-best 0.92 save percentage, 11-6-3 record and six shutouts. He stopped 72 shots for a .791 save percentage and played 1864:29 in goal, missing just 23:05 the entire season.

Helmick earned First Team All-Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) recognition as a senior, and was named the ASC Tournament Most Valuable Player and ASC Tournament Outstanding Defensive Player as he guided the Lancers to their second ASC tournament championship in four seasons. Both tournament matches went to a penalty kick shootout, and he stopped a pair of penalty kick attempts in both matches. Helmick was named ASC Rookie of the Year and ASC Tournament Most Valuable Player as a freshman.