WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University senior defender RJ Allen (Old
Bridge, N.J./St. Joseph's) has been selected by Chivas USA with the fifth pick
in the MLS Supplemental Draft. He becomes the third Hawk selected by an MLS
team in the last two years, following Bryan Meredith (No. 29, Seattle) and Ryan
Kinne (No. 42, New England). Allen is Chivas USA's second draft pick this year,
following the selection of Maryland forward Casey Townsend with the fifth
overall pick.
"I'm really excited," said
Allen. I'm looking forward to building relationships with my new teammates.
It's been a long journey and I'm looking forward to preseason and earning my
spot on the roster. I want to thank Coach McCourt, my club coach and my family
for always being there to support me through my youth years and college years.
I just want to thank everyone who's gotten me to this point and given me the
opportunity to be where I am today."
Allen earned his second-straight
All-American honor and third-straight All-Region First Team honor this season, in
addition to a third-straight All-NEC honor. The senior defender was
instrumental on both ends of the field, compiling 10 points on two goals and
six assists, while thwarting countless scoring opportunities by the opposition.
Allen's penalty kick goal against Mount St. Mary's helped the Hawks clinch
their unprecedented seventh-straight NEC Regular Season Championship, while he
also made pivotal penalty kicks in shootout victories over Central Connecticut
in the NEC Tournament and Stony Brook in the NCAA Tournament. In the preseason,
Allen was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List.
"This is a wonderful
opportunity for RJ," said Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt. "It is a
very exciting time for him and his family. It will be fun for us to watch his
progress as a professional soccer player. RJ has the talent, work ethic,
and determination to make an ideal selection for professional soccer clubs."
Allen finished his collegiate career with 37 points on seven goals and 23
assists. He scored five game-winning goals and helped the Hawks to
three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two NCAA Second Round games.
Allen helped Monmouth to four-straight Northeast Conference Regular-Season
Championships and three-straight NEC Tournament Championships.
