Cincinnati’s Josh Gardner was one of four Conference USA men’s soccer players taken in Friday’s Major League Soccer SuperDraft in Charlotte, N.C. Gardner was the highest selection of the four, going with the 13th overall pick to the Los Angeles Galaxy. The others drafted include 2003 Co-Defensive Players of the Year, Adrian Cann of Louisville and Tony McManus of UAB, and Marin Pusek, also from UAB.

Gardner signed with the MLS in early January as part of its Nike Project 40, which was created in 1997 to provide players, 25 years old or younger, professional experience to qualify for the U.S. National squad. He finished last season with 18 points (8th C-USA). As a Project 40 selection, Gardner, a midfielder, will practice with the defending MLS Champion Galaxy, but will not count toward its 18-man roster or salary cap.

Cann, a defender, was the 16th overall selection by the Colorado Rapids, becoming the first U of L to be drafted. Cann was tabbed as second team All-American by College Soccer News, becoming the first player in school history garner that status and for the third consecutive year, he was named as second team All-Great Lakes Region. He finishes his Cardinal career as the only Louisville player to earn four All-Conference USA first team honors.

Pusek was selected by the San Jose Earthquakes as the 10th pick of the fourth round. He was a first team All-Conference USA midfield selection last season, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

McManus, a defender, was chosen by the Chicago Fire with the ninth selection of the sixth round. A two-time defensive Player of the Week award winner last season, McManus was an integral part of helping the Blazer defense register eight shutouts. He was a third team All-American selection by the NSCAA, in addition to joining Pusek on the all-conference first team.