Jan. 23, 2012

Evan James Drafted by Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact
Charlotte 49ers senior midfielder Evan James was selected with the first pick of Major League Soccer’s Supplemental Draft by the expansion Montreal Impact. James is from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

This past season, James played a major role in helping the 49ers reach the College Cup Championship game for the first time in school history.

James, who earned first-team All-Atlantic 10 honors, led the 49ers in assists with seven. He has scored five goals to rank second on the team in goals. He scored the game’s first goal just 43 seconds into the match in Charlotte’s 3-1 second round NCAA Tournament victory at UAB. Last season, James was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week twice as well as to TopDrawerSoccer.com’s National Team of the Week.

James finished his career ranked 12th in school history with 63 career points. He finished 13th in the program’s history with 22 career goals. He finished 14th in school history with 19 career assists.

Rodriguez Drafted in Third Round of MLS Supplemental Draft by DC United
Charlotte 49ers senior defender Charles Rodriguez was drafted in the third round of Major League Soccer’s Supplemental Draft by the DC United.

“It is amazing,” Rodriguez said. “I would like thank all the coaches and guys that I have played with over the last four years who helped push me to become the player I am today. I am looking forward to this opportunity and what lies ahead over the next few weeks.”

This past season, Rodriguez played a major role in helping the 49ers reach the College Cup Championship game for the first time in school history.

Last season, Rodriguez was named first-team Soccer America and NSCAA All-America. Rodriguez, who also earned first-team All-Atlantic 10 honors, anchored a 49ers defense that had nine shutouts and limited 21 foes to a goal or less. Charlotte’s defense only allowed four goals in 580 minutes of NCAA Tournament action. Rodriguez also scored a goal and recorded an assist last season.

Rodriguez was also named NSCAA first-team All-Mid-Atlantic region as well

Mike Roach Drafted by New England Revolution
Saint Louis forward Mike Roach was drafted by the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft. Roach was the No. 3 pick in the fourth round.

“We are happy for Mike and excited about this opportunity,” SLU head coach Mike McGinty said. “I enjoyed the opportunity to coach Mike for two years. He has withstood a number of setbacks out of his control, and he’s kept his head up and has done everything the right way. Mike deserves this opportunity. We are always excited to see our players pursue their dreams, whether it be in their professional lives or on the playing field.”

Roach transferred to SLU after his freshman season at Indiana and made an immediate impact as a Billiken. During his sophomore season in 2009, Roach led the team with 24 points (11G, 2A) and guided the Billikens to the A-10 Tournament title, earning Most Outstanding Player honors at the tourney in the process.

Roach missed the majority of 2010 with an injury, appearing in only six matches. In limited action late in the season, he scored against Temple and assisted on a game-tying goal that helped deliver a crucial draw against Massachusetts in A-10 play.

Roach’s senior season also was impacted by an injury. Despite missing six games, he finished third on the team with eight points, which included a team-leading four assists.

Roach, who is expected to join the Revolution at their training camp in Arizona, will try to join five other Billikens active in MLS – Brandon Barklage (DC United), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Portland Timbers), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls) and Tim Ward (San Jose Earthquakes).