Okafor, Kinne taken in SuperDraft

Two players with New England ties, Brown University’s Jon Okafor and Connecticut native Ryan Kinne, were both selected in the third round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Okafor went to Chivas USA, while Kinne was selected by the New England Revolution.

Okafor (left) and Kinne (right) were both taken in the third round of Thursday's MLS SuperDraft. (Photo courtesy MLSSoccer.com)

Okafor was selected with the fourth pick in the third round (40^th overall) by Chivas USA. The Verona, N.J. native played in 64 games over his college career, tallying 14 goals and 12 assists. The 21-year-old midfielder scored Brown’s first goal in their 2-1 NCAA tournament win over BC this year as they advanced past the Eagles and UConn to reach the third round. He saw time in the MLS combine as both a central midfielder and a right back.

Just two picks later it was Kinne’s turn. The Naugatuck, Conn. Native was taken by the Revs with sixth pick of the third round (42^nd overall). The 21-year old has seen both up top and on the wings in his college career as well as in the MLS Combine. Kinne, who was named Northeast Conference Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010, scored 35 goals and added 21 assists in 77 career matches with the Hawks.

Prior to college, Kinne was a standout player at Naugatuck High School. Kinne led Connecticut in scoring his senior year and was named the 2006 NSCAA Connecticut State Player of the Year. He tallied a school-record 79 goals along with 26 assists in his three-year prep career. A team captain his junior and senior years, Kinne was an NSCAA All-American and twice earned All-New England honors.

Providence midfielder Matt Marcin, Boston College midfielder Karl Reddick, Dartmouth College midfielder Daniel Keat, University of Connecticut goalkeeper Josh Ford, and defender Greg King were not selected on Thursday and remain available for selection in the MLS Supplemental Draft taking place via conference call on Tuesday, January 18^th.