Wednesday January 25, 2006

        During yesterday’s United Soccer Leagues College Draft, the Atlanta Silverbacks picked Omar Jarun and Josh Villalobos for the sixth and twelfth overall selection, respectively.  Head Coach Jason Smith commented on the draft, “I’m very familiar with both of these players and I’m excited to have them join me in Atlanta.” 
        Omar Jarun, an Atlanta native, played at the University of Dayton and led the Dayton Flyers to the semi-finals of the 2005 Atlantic 10 Conference Men’s Soccer Championship.  Jarun was named All-Atlantic 10 after finishing second in the conference with 10 goals scored.  He transferred to the University of Dayton after two years at the University of Memphis.  Jarun is no stranger to the USL, he played for the 2005 PDL Great Lakes Division Champion - the Chicago Fire Premier, and also for the 2004 Fort Wayne Fever.  Jarun cultivated his soccer skills on the south side of Atlanta, helping his AFC Lightning club team win a regional title and leading his Macintosh High School team to a AAAA Georgia State Championship in 2000.
        Josh Villalobos, a North Carolina native, played at Furman University and helped the Furman Paladins to the semi-finals of the 2005 Southern Conference Men’s Soccer Championship.  He was named to the second team All-Southern Conference for the second year in a row.  Like Jarun, Villalobos competed in the PDL in 2004 with the Carolina Dynamo.  Villalobos moved to Bradenton, Florida after his first year of high school to enter Under-17 Residency Program.  He was a member of the United States Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 National Teams.  While in high school, Villalobos was named Parade All-American in 2001 and 2002.
        For more information on the Atlanta Silverbacks or to attend a tryout, visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.