Real Salt Lake's roster has undergone a massive face-lift since the conclusion of the 2005 regular season, and they added two more new faces, both midfielders, Friday morning in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.
The major objective for Real Salt Lake at the draft was to acquire someone who could immediately contribute when the regular season kicks off in April.
Mission accomplished.
At least that's how coach John Ellinger felt after picking Santa Clara standout Mehdi Ballouchy, a Generation adidas player, with the No. 2 overall pick, which was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
"We got the player we wanted," said Ellinger.
Real used its only other draft pick on Ryan Johnson of Oregon State in the third round. Johnson, who was announced at the draft as a "forward," wowed spectators at the MLS player combine last weekend with outstanding play as a left winger.
Ellinger said he hopes both of those players will be part of a vastly improved midfield in 2006.
"Last year, we had one of the worst midfields in MLS history," said Ellinger. "That's not disrespecting the guys we had — we had a lot of inexperience there . . . I think we drafted two players who can have an impact."
Ellinger and general manager Steve Pastorino have high hopes, in particular, that Ballouchy (pronounced buh-LOO-chee), an attacking midfielder, will play an important
role during the upcoming season. Unlike last year, when Salt Lake selected 16-year-old Nik Besagno first overall, RSL's front office opted for a polished product. Ballouchy, who will turn 23 just four days after Salt Lake's season-opener on April 4 (at Chivas USA), left Santa Clara after his junior season.
There was confusion surrounding whether Ballouchy was indeed a Generation adidas player. MLS didn't include him on its list of this year's 11 Generation adidas players, and an RSL press release containing a list of those available for the draft also didn't show Ballouchy among the Generation adidas players.
However, Real officials confirmed its first-round pick does have that status.
"He is a Generation adidas," said Ellinger.
That means Ballouchy won't count on Real's 18-man senior roster, nor will his salary count against the salary cap.
Ellinger was made aware of Ballouchy two years ago by Santa Clara coach Cameron Rast, who worked as an assistant for Ellinger back when he was coach of the U.S. U-17 National team.
"He goes, 'I've got this sophomore who's the best player in the country,' " Ellinger said.
Since then, RSL has been scouting the Moroccan native. According to Ellinger, Real had a desire to select Ballouchy since he declared himself eligible for the draft. It didn't know, however, what CD Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley would do with the No. 1 overall pick.
As it turned out, Bradley dealt the No. 1 selection to the MetroStars, but the move didn't affect what Real did.
UCLA defender Marvell Wynne was taken by the MetroStars with the first pick.
Understandably, Ballouchy said the whole process was nerve-racking.
"I knew they came to a lot of my games at Santa Clara," he said. "I kind of had an idea, but I wasn't sure. I was really nervous . . . Getting drafted No. 2 is really, really exciting."
His performance last weekend at the Player Combine cemented his status in the minds of RSL's front office.
"He was a specimen on both sides of the ball," Ellinger said.
Johnson, Salt Lake's other draft choice, also excelled at the combine.
The Oregon State product went head-to-head with UCLA's Marvell Wynne, who was selected first by the MetroStars, during games at the Home Depot Center.
According to Ellinger, the left-footed player didn't flinch.
"He gave Marvell all he could handle," said Ellinger.
ENDLINES: MLS unveiled new adidas uniforms for 11 of its 12 teams, including Real Salt Lake. The league also showed off its new ball, which is the same adidas design that FIFA will use at the upcoming World Cup.
RSL draft picks
1. MEHDI BALLOUCHY (2)
Midfielder, Santa Clara
Generation adidas player was all-American in college
2. RYAN JOHNSON (26)
Midfielder, Oregon State
Impressed RSL front office at MLS player combine
(Indicates overall draft selection)
E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com