Cochrane and Cronin to play for Earthquakes

By Aaron Juarez

Ryan Cochrane sat in nervous tension in the Charlotte Convention Center at the 2004 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, waiting to hear where he would begin his professional career. After D.C. United expectantly used the top pick to select 14-year-old phenom Freddy Adu, the real draft began.

When the Kansas City Wizards traded up to the No. 4 spot, Cochrane felt it was time.

"My agent told me to prepare to go to Kansas City [at No. 4]," Cochrane said.

Yet the Wizards instead opted for forward Matt Taylor from UCLA, and moments later, Cochrane's name came up, selected No. 5 by the San Jose Earthquakes.

"It was unbelievable," Cochrane said. "I was pretty nervous before the draft, but this is a huge honor. I am extremely happy to be drafted by San Jose."

Cochrane strode up to the stage, donned a blue Earthquakes scarf, shook hands with MLS commissioner Don Garber, and said a few words while his family celebrated at home in Portland, Ore.

"I had my cell phone on me during the draft, and I could feel my phone vibrating while I was at the podium speaking," said Cochrane. "I knew who it was right away."

Nearly 3,000 miles away, Steve Cronin was watching the draft at the National Training Center in Carson, Calif., in a break from training for Olympic qualifying with the U.S. Under-23 National Team.

"I wanted to be [at the draft]," Cronin said. "I bought a suit and everything, but the Olympic team wanted me to stay in camp."

"I knew Kansas City was trying to trade up to get me," he continued, referring to a second trade which never materialized. "But I pretty much knew around the seventh pick that I would be headed to San Jose."

Sure enough, when the No. 10 pick came up, the Earthquakes selected Cronin, much to his relief. He also became excited he would once again be playing with Cochrane.

"I just can't get rid of the guy, he says I follow him around, but I think it is actually the other way around," Cronin joked. "Still, it will be nice to have a familiar face around."

Cochrane added, "I wasn't shocked at all. The Earthquakes coaches told me they were going to take Steve [Cronin] if he was available at No. 10."

Cronin called his parents at home in Sacramento to let them know the good news. His family was following the draft on the Internet, which had a five-minute delay in its coverage.

Because both players signed developmental contracts with Nike Project-40, they will not count against San Jose's salary cap. In addition, they receive an educational stipend to continue their academic studies. Both Cochrane and Cronin are leaving Santa Clara a year early, but intend to finish their studies.

"I'll still be able to take a class or two at Santa Clara during the offseason, or even an on-line course during the season," Cochrane said.

Cronin, preparing for his first MLS season and the possible addition of Olympic team commitments, is taking things one at a time. Whether he takes classes here at Santa Clara, at San Jose State or on the Internet, is still up in the air, but he knows he wants to eventually complete his studies.

"If I have the opportunity to take classes, I would love to do that," Cronin said.

However, preparing for their rookie years is foremost on their minds. Both Cochrane and Cronin spoke briefly with Earthquakes Head Coach Dominic Kinnear after they were drafted.

"He said 'congratulations' and gave information on when to report to the team, that was really it," Cronin said.

Cronin, who will find out Jan. 22 if he made the Olympic roster for qualifying matches, heads into Earthquakes camp as the No. 3 goalkeeper, behind starter Pat Onstad and Jon Conway.

Cochrane, on the other hand, will bolster a defensive group that includes U.S. National Team veterans Jeff Agoos and Troy Dayak.

"To get drafted No. 5 overall, I know that although I may not start right away, I will be expected to contribute," Cochrane said.

Also, Cochrane will benefit from the opportunity to practice against new teammate and premier U.S. forward Landon Donovan.

"It's invaluable the things I'm going to learn from Landon [Donovan]," Cochrane said. "Playing against him every day is only going to make me a better player, he's the best forward in the nation."

Cochrane, Cronin and the Earthquakes are not the only benefactors of the draft. Along with Maryland, Santa Clara was the only school this year to have two players selected in the first round. With a College Cup appearance and two players selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, the profile of both Santa Clara and its soccer program should soar.

"Coach [Cameron Rast] said it was great for the program," said Cochrane, about the two first-round selections. "He said it gave the program and the school more exposure."

For Cochrane and Cronin, the jump to the pros should also bring them more notoriety. Making the short trip from Buck Shaw Stadium to Spartan Stadium should be fairly simple. After all, having already played together since the junior national teams during their high school days, the pros should be no different.

û Contact Aaron Juarez at (408) 554-4852 or at ajuarez@scu.edu.