Myers lands in Kansas City as top pick in MLS SuperDraft
TOHS grad's stock skyrocketed in recent weeks
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

Photo courtesy of UCLA TAKING A CHANCE- To select former Thousand Oaks High soccer star Chance Myers in the MLS SuperDraft, the Kansas City Wizards traded one of their fan favorites, defender Nick Garcia, for the No. 1 pick.

Practice starts Monday for Major League Soccer's No. 1 overall draft pick.

Not to worry, though, because Chance Myers, the Thousand Oaks High graduate who was selected by the Kansas City Wizards with the first choice in the MLS SuperDraft last weekend in Baltimore, says he's ready to go to work.

Better yet, Myers said his mind is at ease as he makes the swift transition from studentathlete at UCLA to professional soccer player in the United States' premier league.

"There's no pressure going in; that's what (the coaches) told me," Myers, 20, said on Tuesday.

"They picked me for a reason, because they see I have a future and the ability to help the team out. They're not going to put any pressure on me to come in and make a difference right away. The less pressure you have, the easier it is for you to perform. That's kind of what (the Wizards') ideology is."

Myers' assent up the MLS draft chart was meteoric, wrote ESPNsoccernet's Steve Davis.

The high school AllAmerican, who helped lead Thousand Oaks to a pair of CIF-Southern Section championships during his tenure, didn't even declare his eligibility until a week before the draft took place. Before doing so, Myers was still at UCLA, where he'd just completed his second season with the Bruins, earning first-team All-Pacific 10 honors.

"I think I was one of the last people to (declare)," Myers said. "It can really be a last-second thing for a lot of guys."

As a member of the Generation adidas program, Myers' MLS contract allows him to continue his education, although it doesn't have to be at UCLA. In addition, the 6-foot, 165-pound midfielder is protected from future expansion drafts until he graduates from the program. He won't count against the team's 18-man roster, either.

Following Myers' eyeopening pre-draft workout at the MLS combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Kansas City made a trade with the expansion San Jose Earthquakes for the rights to the No. 1 overall selection. Kansas City sent defender Nick Garcia, the team's all-time leader in games, games started and minutes played, to San Jose.

According to Bob Rusert of MLSnet.com, Garcia was a fan favorite in Kansas City. Wizards technical director Peter Vermes told Rusert that the decision to deal Garcia was a difficult one.

"I personally did this with a heavy heart. . . . I have the utmost respect for (Garcia). I think he's a competitor, a winner and all those things," Vermes said. "But to get something, you have to give something away."

Shortly thereafter, the Wizards landed their new man.

"Chance Myers is a great young player that has a long-term future in soccer," Kansas City head coach Curt Onalfo said following the draft.

"He is technically sound with an unbelievable engine. He's only 20 years old, with 15 years of great soccer left. We are excited to draft a very versatile outside midfielder like Chance."

When he heard his name called by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, with his parents and girlfriend at his side, Myers said it was difficult to grasp what had initially occurred.

"It was weird, almost surreal," he said.

"It came so fast. Now I'm already leaving for work on Thursday (today); I'm already going to work. I mean, I've been in college a year and a quarter, and now this is a big lifestyle change, a major change of pace."

Myers has received much support from friends and family in Thousand Oaks since draft day.

"A lot of phone calls, a lot of e-mails and a lot of voicemails," Myers said. "Tons of old teammates, old neighbors, old friends- they've all been calling to say congratulations. It's been really cool to see all this support."

Mark Tietjen, Thousand Oaks High's boys' soccer coach for the past 15 seasons, said he watched the draft on tape-delay and was thrilled with what he witnessed.

"I was so excited, I was standing up yelling," Tietjen said. "I was very proud for Chance and thought that it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. He's a great soccer player, but he's a really great guy."

Tietjen said it was a tremendous day for the TOHS soccer program as well. On the first Saturday in January, Myers was playing in the school's alumni game.

"It's something all of our guys took pride in," Tietjen said.

As the Wizards begin to train for their season opener against D.C. United on March 29, Myers said he'll probably play right halfback in the team's new 3-5-2 scheme.

On the pitch, Myers understands many challenges loom ahead as he embarks on his professional playing career. Away from the field he has a few things to sort out, too. For example, he's never even tried Kansas City's world-famous barbeque.

"I don't know a whole lot about the city, but I'm stoked to have the opportunity to go in and experience something new," Myers said. "I'm just stoked to be able to play this game."