Five young players, all attacking midfielders have signed contracts with Project-40, the player development venture created by MLS and U.S. Soccer in 1997. The quintet includes Craig Capano, 16, and Justin Mapp, 17, in addition to three former U.S. U-20 selections — Virginia’s Kyle Martino, Portland’s Kelly Gray, and Brad Davis of St. Louis — who are will be leaving college ball before using up their eligibility. All five players will be eligible for selection in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft. At the 16 years, six months and two days, Capano becomes the second youngest player ever signed by MLS, just missing the mark set by D.C. United’s Santino Quaranta (16 years, 4 months). Mapp, who was born only four days after Quaranta, is the second youngest player currently under contract with MLS. Both Capano and Mapp are in the midst of their sophomore year in high school following their entry into the U.S. U-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla. in December of 2000. Martino, Davis and Gray each were named NSCAA College All-Americans in 2001. Martino and Gray exit the college ranks following their junior seasons; Davis recently completed his sophomore campaign. All three players were on the U.S. U-20 squad that competed in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in last summer. MLS also announced that nine players that have graduated from Project-40. That list includes Mario Longo (Columbus), DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago), Bobby Convey (D.C. United), Micah Cooks (waived by DC), Francisco Gomez (Kansas City), Michael Green (Kansas City), Marvin Quijano (Los Angeles), Nick Rimando (formerly Miami) and Scott Bower (San Jose). Effective immediately, these players will no longer receive the roster protection granted to members of Project-40. Players signed to Nike Project-40 contracts receive an educational stipend in addition to their salary but do not occupy an official spot on the roster of their MLS club. Bios for the five new signees Craig Capano Midfielder Hometown: Hyde Park, NY Ht: 5-4 Wt: 115 Born: July 7, 1985 Prep: McDonogh HS, MD Currently training with the U.S. Under-20s … Was the youngest member of the U.S. roster for the FIFA U-17 World Youth Championship in September 2001 … Started all three matches for the U.S. in that tournament … Finished his career with the Under-17 teams with 93 appearances (80 starts) … Tallied one goal and four assists in 24 international matches, and nine goals and 16 assists overall … Helped lead Chicago Sockers FC to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship in July, 2001. Brad Davis Midfielder Hometown: St. Charles, Mo. Ht: 5-11 Wt: 165 Born: Nov. 8, 1981 College: St. Louis University Recently joined U.S. Under-23s for 8-day training camp in Claremont, Calif. from January 5-12 … Made his youth national team debut with the U-18s in 1999 … Finished his Under-20 career with 45 overall appearances (28 starts) … Appeared in all three games for the U.S. at the FIFA World Youth Championships in June of 2001 … Scored his only goal of the tournament in a 4-1 win against Chile on June 20 … Helped St. Louis University to a 18-2 overall record, the Conference USA Championship and a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA tournament. Kelly Gray Midfielder Hometown: San Jose, Calif. Ht: 6-2 Wt: 170 Born: April 7, 1981 College: University of Portland Joined U.S. Under-23s for an eight-day training camp … Since joining the U-20 player pool in 2000, he became one of the team’s more versatile players, lining up at defense, midfield and forward … Was second on the team in goals scored (12) during the last two years … Started all three games for the U.S. at the FIFA World Youth Championships in June of 2001 … Was University of Portland’s second leading scorer with 25 points on nine goals and seven assists … Helped the Pilots to a 13-6-1 record and a third-round appearance in the NCAA tournament … Played club soccer for Los Gatos Metro, where he was coached by former MLS All-Star Paul Bravo. Justin Mapp Midfielder Hometown: Brandon, MS Ht: 5-10 Wt: 140 Born: October 18, 1984 Prep: Northwest Rankin HS (MS) Currently training with the U.S. U-20s … Was the second youngest player on the U.S. roster for the FIFA U-17 World Youth Championship in September 2001 … Started all three matches for the U.S. in that tournament … Finished his Under-17 career with three goals and six assists in 22 international matches … His club, Jackson FC has won the Mississipi state title from the Under-13 through the Under-16 levels Kyle Martino Midfielder Hometown: Westport, Conn. Ht: 5-10 Wt: 145 Born: February 19, 1981 College: University of Virginia Currently training with the U.S. U-23s … Was a mainstay of the U.S U-20 team for two seasons … Played in two of four matches for the U-20s at the 2001 World Youth Championship in Argentina … In his three-year career at the University of Virginia, he netted 17 goals and 21 assists while starting all 63 games he played. 2002 NIKE PROJECT-40 ROSTER (Jan. 10, 2002) Shaker Asad (allocation/draft eligible) Devin Barclay (allocation/draft eligible) Isaias Bardales Jr (L.A. Galaxy) Kyle Beckerman (allocation/draft eligible) Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew) Jose Burciaga Jr. (K.C. Wizards) Craig Capano (SuperDraft eligible) Chris Carrieri (Colorado Rapids) Brad Davis (SuperDraft eligible) Nick Downing (N.E. Revolution) Kelly Gray (SuperDraft eligible) Edward Johnson (Dallas Burn) Martin Klinger (MetroStars) Justin Mapp (SuperDraft eligible) Kyle Martino (SuperDraft eligible) Santino Quaranta (D.C. United) Miguel Saavedra (Dallas Burn) Sergio Salas (D.C. United) Seth Trembly (Colorado Rapids)