SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes selected three players in Thursday’s 2012 MLS SuperDraft at the Kansas City Convention Center, including Generation adidas forward from UC Santa Barbara Sam Garza with the No. 6 overall pick. The club followed up its first round selection by taking midfielder Jacob Hustedt from the University of Washington (25th) and Chris Blais from the University of South Florida (33rd) in the second round.
“We accomplished what we set out to do today,” said Earthquakes General Manager John Doyle. “We added another exciting, explosive player in Sam Garza, who we think will be a great addition to the team. We saw him a lot at UC Santa Barbara and were very impressed. Jacob (Hustedt) is a hard-working player that we saw at our local combine and it was great to add a big goalkeeper like Chris (Blais). We are looking forward to preseason getting started next week.”
Garza played a pivotal role in the attack for a Gauchos squad that reached the Round of 16 in the 2011 College Cup and finished with a No. 12 national ranking. He scored 21 goals and had 14 assists in three seasons at the NCAA level. Garza began his career with Denver in 2008 before transferring to Big West Conference power UC Santa Barbara.
“Sam has a very good pedigree having played with the U.S. U-20 team and for a very good college program,” said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. “He is fast and skillful and every time we saw him with (UC) Santa Barbara, he was outstanding. We are excited that he is coming to San Jose.”
In two seasons with the Gauchos, Garza racked up a number of accolades, including 2010 Big West Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors. In 2010, the Highland Village, Texas native tallied nine times and had six assists.
On the international level, Garza was a regular on the U.S. squad during 2009 CONCACAF U-20 World Cup qualifying. He scored a goal against Canada in a 1-0 win in 2008 and was selected to the U.S. World Cup squad, but missed the tournament due to injury.
Hustedt had a breakout season for Washington in 2011. The All-Pac 12 First Team selection has six goals and five assists while starting 16 of his 18 games for the Huskies. Before transferring to Washington, Hustedt was a three-year starter for Cal Poly where he made the All-Big West Conference Second Team as a sophomore in 2009.
The Sandy, Utah native was named the state’s 5A Most Valuable Player in 2007 while representing Jordan High School. He also helped lead his club team, Sparta, to three-consecutive state titles.
Blais played one season for South Florida following a standout career with the University of Michigan. He led the Bulls to the Round of 8 in the 2011 College Cup and a No. 6 national ranking while compiling eight shutouts and a 0.81 goals-against average during the season. One year prior, Blais was the starting keeper for the Wolverines during their run to the final four of the College Cup. He started 25 games during the campaign, posting a 1.31 goals-against average and four shutouts in the highly competitive Big Ten. He also started for the Wolverines in 2009.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS): Earthquakes select F Sam Garza in the first round (6th Overall), M Jacob Hustedt in the second round (25th overall), GK Chris Blais in the second round (33rd Overall).
Sam Garza
Status: Generation adidas
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
Born: October 17, 1989 in Carrollton, Texas
Hometown: Highland Village, Texas
College: UC Santa Barbara
Citizenship: USA
Jacob Hustedt
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 170
Born: January 30, 1990 in Bothell, Wash.
Hometown: Sandy, Utah
College: University of Washington
Citizenship: USA
Chris Blais
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-4
Weight: 195 lbs
Born: May 16, 1989 in Seattle, Wash.
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
College: University of South Florida
Citizenship: USA
