Jan. 26, 2006
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Houston 1836, formerly the San Jose Earthquakes, selected four players, including former Santa Clara University standout Hector Guzman, in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft, which was held via teleconference from the league's headquarters today.
All players who were eligible and not selected in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft - which was held on Friday, January 20 - and additional players nominated by the coaches were eligible for selection in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft.
SCU's Mehdi Ballouchy was selected second overall in the MLS SuperDraft last week by Real Salt Lake and has generally been regarded as one of the most promising picks in the draft.
Among those chosen today by Houston 1836 were 22 year-old Mpho Moloi (1st round, 7th overall); forward Héctor Guzmán, 22, (2nd round, 20th overall); midfielder Tony Donatelli (3rd round, 32nd overall); and 21 year- old forward Josh Fender (4th round, 37th overall).
Guzman, a native of San Jose, Costa Rica, played two seasons at Santa Clara and twice earned all-West Coast Conference honors and was a first-team selection as a senior in 2005. He scored eight goals while a Bronco, five of which were game-winners. He started 13 of his 36 appearances.
A youth player with Costa Rica's top club, Saprissa FC, Guzman also played with Nervion AD in Seville, Spain in early 2004. He graduated from Harbor High School in Santa Cruz, Calif. as an exchange student in 2001 and was the Central Coast Section Player of the Year.
Anshutz Entertainment Group and Major League Soccer announced on December 16, 2005, that the AEG-operated San Jose Earthquakes MLS franchise would relocate to Houston, Texas, and represent the city of Houston when the 2006 MLS season gets underway on April 1, 2006.
The team announced its formal name, Houston 1836, on January 25. During a brief history lesson explaining the name, team president Oliver Luck said that the name Houston 1836 is a perfect choice.
"The name Houston 1836 ... will remind fans that this team represents their city," he said. "From this day forward, the Houston 1836 logo will be a symbol of a hard-working team that reflects the pride, loyalty, heritage, bravery and ... the wildcatter, go-get-'em attitude of Houstonians and all of Texas."
Houston 1836 will play their home games at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.
MLS teams, including Houston 1836, may begin pre-season training on Monday, January 30, 2006.