Jan. 9, 2004

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Eight players, including five members of the U.S. U-20 team that reached the quarterfinals at the 2003 World Youth Championship, have signed Nike Project-40 contracts, joining Freddy Adu, who signed in November. All will be available in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft January 16.

Nike Project-40 players receive an educational stipend in addition to their salary and a developmental spot on the roster of their MLS club.

The U-20 players are: Steve Cronin (Santa Clara University, junior), Ryan Cochrane (Santa Clara University, junior), Chad Marshall (Stanford University, sophomore), Ned Grabavoy (Indiana University, junior) and (Clint Dempsey, Furman University, junior).

"This is a very exciting time for these two guys," said Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast. "They have a great opportunity to play soccer in this country at its highest level. We are excited for them because they get to train more intensely to develop and hone their skills to be the best players they can be. This gets them one step closer to representing Santa Clara and the U.S. on an international stage."

Cronin and Cochrane are two of the key reasons that the Broncos were put in a position to reach the 2003 College Cup. The duo led the Bronco defense to a 0.70 goals-against average on the season and a 8-0-2 record at home. They missed the final four games of the season for the Broncos but managed a 13-3-4 record in the 20 matches they played in 2003.

Both earned All-West Coast Conference first team honors as juniors with Cochrane earning his third-straight selection to an All-American squad when CSTV tabbed him as a first team performer in December.

2004 NIKE PROJECT-40 SIGNEES

MICHAEL BRADLEY
Forward
Hometown: Palatine, Ill.
Born: July 31, 1987
Enrolled in the U.S. U-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla.

RYAN COCHRANE
Defender
Santa Clara University
Hometown: Portland, Ore.
Born: Aug. 8, 1983
Started all five matches at central defender at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship

Steve Cronin posted a 13-2-3 record with seven shutouts for the Broncos in 2003.

STEVE CRONIN
Goalkeeper
Santa Clara University
Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
Born: May 28, 1983
Named to the all-Tournament Team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship

CLINT DEMPSEY
Forward
Furman University
Born: March 9, 1983
Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas One of the leading scorers on the Furman University team with seven goals and five assists in 17 games.

JOSH GARDNER
Midfielder
University of Cincinnati
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Born: Sept. 14, 1982
Led Cincinnati with six assists and tied for the team lead with six goals this season

CLARENCE GOODSON
Defender
University of Maryland
Hometown: Springfield, Va.
Born: May 17, 1982
Named to 2003 ACC All-Tournament Team

NED GRABAVOY
Midfielder
Indiana University
Hometown: New Lenox, Ill.
Born: July 1, 1983
Scored the first goal in Indiana's 2-1 NCAA Championship game victory over St. John's in 2003

CHAD MARSHALL
Defender
Stanford University
Hometown: Riverside, Calif.
Born: Aug. 22, 1984
Helped the U.S. Under-20 team notch two shutouts at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship