Four collegiate players have enlisted with MLS’s Project-40, league deputy commissioner Sunil Gulati announced Jan. 14. Defenders Scott Vermillion (Virginia) and Chad McCarty (Washington) and goalkeepers Andy Kirk (Maryland) and Matt Napoleon (Columbia) join former UVa standout Ben Olsen as players who have joined Project-40 since the conclusion of the 1997 college season. Olsen has been assigned to D.C. United; the other four players will be assigned to an MLS team in the next three weeks. Vermillion, who recently earned third-team NSCAA/Umbro All-America honors for his junior season, was a member of the 1997 U.S. World University Games squad that captured the bronze medal. Kirk, the only sophomore of this year’s group of players, is the starting keeper for the U-23 national team, while Napoleon is his backup. McCarty has been a three-year defensive MVP for Washington and earned all-MPSF honors this season. “We’re pleased to add four outstanding young players to Project-40,” said Gulati. “The professional environment of Project-40, along with the inclusion of the U.S. Pro 40 Select team will provide these young players an excellent opportunity to become better players.” Gulati also added that he expects to add more players to the program in the next 10 days. “We expect to have the majority of our Project-40 players signed by Feb. 1,” he said. “After Feb. 1, we will not pursue any players who are currently involved with a college soccer program.” The Project-40 players will be considered the 21st players on each MLS team’s roster. They will compete for playing time with members of the team’s active roster. During the 1998 MLS season, the Project-40 contingent will form the U.S. Pro 40 Select team that will compete during the summer of 1998 in the A-League. Monday through Thursday of each week, Project-40 players will train with their MLS club before embarking on a Friday-Sunday “A-League period.” The Pro 40 Select team will either play two A-League games during this time, or one A-League game and a scrimmage against a nearby MLS squad. For each of the team’s A-League games, 18-20 players will be called in, with consideration given to the geographic nature of the trip and the wishes of a player’s MLS coach.