SOCCER
Va. Tech's Nyarko Is Off to MLS
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Patrick Nyarko, a forward from Ghana who last month led the Virginia Tech men's soccer team to its first appearance in the NCAA tournament semifinals, has decided to leave school a year early and sign with MLS.
Nyarko, who turns 22 next week, is among nine high school and non-senior college players to join the league, which will conduct its annual four-round draft next Friday at Baltimore Convention Center.
Nyarko, who had 31 goals and 24 assists in 57 collegiate matches, is projected to be one of the top three picks in the 14-team draft and could be the top selection of the expansion San Jose Earthquakes.
Nyarko is among three finalists for the Hermann Trophy, which will be presented tonight to the nation's best player. His goal provided the Hokies with a 1-0 upset at Connecticut and a berth in the College Cup semifinals, in which they were beaten by champion Wake Forest, 2-0.
Among the other signees are Eric Avila and Ciaran O'Brien from 2006 national champion UC Santa Barbara and 17-year-old Alex Nimo, a political refugee from Liberia who settled in Portland, Ore., and has played for the U.S. under-17 national team. . . .
The Los Angeles Galaxy traded two-time MLS goalkeeper of the year Joe Cannon to the Earthquakes for financial considerations.
-- Steven Goff
