Jan. 18, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle senior Ryan Richter has been selected fifth overall in the 2011 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft by the Philadelphia Union, it was announced today. Richter was the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year and Student-Athlete of the Year after leading the league in goals (14) and points (30). He is the second Explorer to be selected by an MLS team after Cesidio Colasante was picked in the 1997 MLS Draft by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.

"It is a dream come true," Richter said. "All of my hard work is finally paying off. I want to thank Coach (Pat) Farrell, Coach (Bobby) Wilkinson, Coach (Brian) Blesi, former assistant Kevin Coleman, strength coaches Brian Bingaman and Scott Bovitch, Director of Athletics Dr. Tom Brennan and everyone in La Salle athletics for helping me reach my dream."

Also a First Team Region selection by the NSCAA, Richter led the Explorers to the Atlantic 10 Championship game during his final season. La Salle was 9-7-2 overall, with Richter providing seven of the nine game-winning goals, and 6-2-1 in the Atlantic 10. He was featured in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd on November 16.

"We are all very happy and excited for Ryan," Farrell said. "He has positioned himself through hard work and discipline to have an opportunity to play professional soccer. It is exactly what all motivated athletes do."

Also a standout in the classroom, Richter was named a First Team NSCAA Scholar All-America and First Team Academic All-District by CoSIDA.

Richter registered 28 goals (5th all-time at La Salle) and 13 assists (10th all-time) for 69 points (5th all-time).

The Union begin their season on March 19 vs. the Houston Dynamo.