Galaxy Picks Up a Bit of Salsa After UCLA Star Is No. 1 Pick
Defender Tahj Jakins of UCLA, a 6-foot-2, 182-pound senior from Huntington Beach, was the No. 1 player chosen in Major League Soccer’s second collegiate draft. Jakins, picked Saturday night by the Colorado Rapids, is the 17th former Bruin player to join the league.
“He plays with more maturity than most college players,” Colorado Coach Glenn Myernick said. “He’s a good organizer and leader and has the physical components to play at this level.”
On Sunday, the Galaxy made Danny Pena, a 6-0, 165-pound defender from Culver City, the first player chosen in the supplemental draft. Pena, 28, a former Los Angeles Salsa player, was “clearly the best player” in the MLS player combine held last week in Florida, Galaxy Coach Lothar Osiander said.
In addition to Pena, the Galaxy selected forwards Brian Taylor of Fresno State and John Jones of Sacramento State and defender Travis Rinker of Bridgeport in the supplemental draft. The team’s choices in the collegiate draft were midfielders Steve Jolley of William and Mary and Shawn Boney of Southern Connecticut State and goalkeeper Kevin Hartman of UCLA.
The Galaxy also announced Sunday that it will play Bolivia’s national team in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, later this month, and also is arranging matches against Santos of Mexico in Houston and against the El Salvador national team at the Rose Bowl. Dates have not been finalized.
