Soares signs with MLS
University of California defender A.J. Soares has signed a senior contract with Major League Soccer, Soares revealed on his Twitter account Sunday.
The No. 11 rated player on SBI's MLS Draft Big Board, Soares joined North Carolina teammates Michael Farfan, Jalil Anibaba and Stephen McCarthy as college seniors who have signed with MLS.
Soares was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and helped the Bears reach the NCAA Elite Eight, where they lost to eventual national champion Akron in penalty kicks.
While Akron defenders Perry Kitchen and Zarek Valentin are more highly-rated draft prospects who can play multiple positions along with playing centerback, Soares is arguably the best pure central defender in the 2011 MLS Draft pool. Strong in the air and a deft passing defender, Soares has drawn some comparisons to New York Red Bulls standout rookie Tim Ream.
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