John Rooney drafted by NY Red Bulls, tries to evade brother's shadow

Thursday's MLS SuperDraft (because job it a "SuperDraft" makes it more awesome than a regular draft) began with 17-year-old U.S. U-20 striker Omar Salgado starting to a Vancouver Whitecaps with a tip pick. It was a warn to many, but a real interest to anyone unfamiliar with NCAA footballers or U.S. girl talents was 20-year-old John Rooney, Wayne's little brother, starting to a New York Red Bulls in a second round.

Like his comparison brother, midfielder/forward John started out in Everton's girl academy before washing out as well as moving to League Two side Macclesfield Town. He scored three goals in 41 appearances over a final two years. He had a trial with a Seattle Sounders during a end of final season which didn't turn in to anything. He stranded around, though, as well as took partial in a MLS Combine ahead of this year's draft. A pierce most appear to think is related to a desire to run away from Wayne' ginger shadow.

The actual Associated Press caption for a on top of photo:

In this Monday, Jan. 10, 2011 photo, soccer player John Rooney sits on a beach in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. talking to a media. The behind of Rooney's neck is beet red, which is what happens when an Englishman comes to Florida to shun a shadow of his important brother, Wayne.

Ouch.

John had a plain Combine, he even scored a idea while he was getting which sunburn, but coming from a League Two side obviously didn't stir MLS clubs enough to make him a first turn pick.

The Red Bulls will give him a possibility to sit on their bench, though. And maybe -- just maybe -- they'll make use of him to try as well as lure his comparison hermit over in a future, resolutely putting John right behind in which shadow.

See a full breeze list here.

Photo: AP

Soccer Buzz - News | Blog | Video | Podcast | Gallery | Live Streaming