Tony Tchani to Enter MLS SuperDraft

Midfielder Tony Tchani is just a sophomore with 37 games under his belt. Yet many are projecting him to be a top pick in next week's Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Oh right. He's also got a national champion, and he earned ACC Freshman of the Year even with a knee injury. Read the press release after the jump.

Virginia midfielder Tony Tchani (Norfolk, Va.) will enter the 2010 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft, Cavaliers head coach George Gelnovatch announced Wednesday (Jan. 6).

Tchani is one of 12 players to sign a Generation adidas contract, a program that allows players to train and play with one of MLS’s 16 professional clubs. A benefit of the Generation adidas program is educational grants to further their college education.

"Tony was instrumental in helping us win the 2009 NCAA Championship," Gelnovatch said. "He is a first-class young man both on and off the soccer field. He is projected to be the first or second pick in the MLS SuperDraft, and we support his decision and wish him the best."

Tchani was a first team All-America selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) and College Soccer News. He scored eight goals and had four assists in 2009, and was selected to the ACC All-Tournament team, the All-ACC second team and the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament team.

The 2008 ACC Freshman of the Year, Tchani finishes his Virginia career with 16 goals, seven assists and four game-winning goals.

The draft is scheduled for Thursday, January 14 at 2 p.m. (ET) in Philadelphia. It will be televised by ESPN2 and also shown on ESPN360.com.

Courtesy VirginiaSports.com