Jan. 4, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer senior defender Rauwshan McKenzie, a first team All-Big Ten selection and four-year starter for the Spartans, is one of 54 NCAA Division I players who have been invited to the MLS Superdraft Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The combine will take place Jan. 11-15 at Lockhart Stadium.

McKenzie, a native of Hoffman Estates, Ill., has been a stalwart on defense for MSU. He was named to the 2004 All-Big Ten Freshman Team after leading Michigan State to a Big Ten title and he had a goal and an assist in both his sophomore and junior seasons before posting his best season as a senior. McKenzie scored two goals and handed out two assists and helped Michigan State to an at-large bid into the NCAA Championship. He was also named to Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Season Third Team.

For his career, McKenzie appeared in 79 contests, making 72 consecutive starts. He scored four goals and had five assists and helped the Spartans to a pair of NCAA Championship appearances.

"Rauwshan is one of the finest student-athletes I have ever coached," Michigan State head coach Joe Baum said. "He is a very gifted athlete and I think he will shine at the combine. After watching him play, hopefully the MLS coaches will realize you can't teach his athleticism."

Coaches and general managers from all 14 MLS teams will be on hand to evaluate the players. The combine consists of four teams who will play a round-robin schedule over a three-day period. The four-round MLS Superdraft will be held on Friday, Jan. 18-19 in Baltimore, Md.

Michigan State has had two players drafted by the MLS in the past three seasons. John Minagawa-Webster was selected by the Kansas City Wizards in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, and Ryan McMahen was picked by the same team in the second round in 2006. McMahen is currently under contract with the Wizards, but did not play this past season.