Evans, Dunn drafted by MLS

News that their professional dream had been realized came in divergent ways Friday for UC Irvine senior men’s soccer stars Brad Evans and Cameron Dunn.

Evans, chosen 15th overall by the Columbus Crew in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, was on hand at the Indiana Convention Center, where ESPN cameras recorded a raucous and enthusiastic response from Columbus fans who witnessed the announcement of his selection.

For Dunn, however, word came from his mother, who relayed the news — in a tearful and celebratory phone conversation — that he had been chosen 46th overall by Chivas USA.

Evans, UCI’s career leader with 31 goals, was the Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year each of the last two seasons and garnered third-team All-American honors in 2006. He was the Big West Midfielder of the Year in 2004 and a member of the under-20 men’s national team.

Having participated in the MLS player combine completed Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Evans was expected to be picked in the first four rounds.

Dunn, a dynamic defender who earned first-team all-conference laurels as a junior and second-team honors this season, said he learned only Thursday night that he was on the list of players expected to be drafted.

Both he and UCI senior Anthony Hamilton were projected to be picked in next week’s MLS supplemental draft.

Evans, reached by phone Friday, was still energized after being serenaded with chants of “Br-ad Ev-ans” by Crew rooters, many of whom he signed autographs for and posed with for pictures.

“It’s surreal,” Evans said after being the second pick of the second round, the first selection by Columbus, which had traded its first-round pick. “When I was 14 or 15, I never in a million years would have thought I’d be here. It’s always been a dream, but who would have thought?”

Columbus Coach Sigi Schmid, a former UCLA coach for whom Evans played on the under-20 national team, was well aware of Evans’ ability, Evans said.

“I talked to Sigi [Friday] and he said he has nothing but confidence in me,” Evans said.

Evans was a defender on the under-20 squad and UCI Coach George Kuntz said Schmid may utilize Evans as a defender who can score.

Dunn, who stopped watching the draft on television in order to prepare for an afternoon flight to San Francisco, had planned on trying out for an A-League team in the Bay Area this weekend.

But, reached by phone in the Bay Area, he said he was happy to convert his trip from business to pleasure.

“I didn’t want to get excited [about the draft], in case nothing happened,” said Dunn, who will attempt to make the Chivas roster as a defender. “I didn’t want to jinx it.

“Anybody who plays, has aspirations of making it to the next level,” Dunn said. “I’ve put in a lot of work to get this far. Now, I want to make it all pay off.”

Dunn said his play at a recent tryout camp held by the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas, both of whom play home matches at the Home Depot Center in Carson, allowed him to impress Chivas coaches.

Kuntz called the day “momentous,” for the Anteaters’ program.

Only one UCI player had ever been drafted by an MLS team — current assistant coach Lawrence Smalls, who failed to make the Los Angeles Galaxy roster.

“For Brad and Cameron to be recognized at the professional level is fantastic,” said Kuntz, whose team finished 13-4-3, 6-3-1 in the Big West, but was denied an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Kuntz said placing players in the MLS should benefit his recruiting efforts.

“It means that players who want the opportunity to play in the MLS will now consider coming to UCI,” Kuntz said.

Evans and Dunn said they would be reporting to their respective teams in early February.