Micah Cooks of Washington, D.C., became the first Project-40 signing of the class of 2000. The 18-year-old forward becomes the 36th member of the 3-1/2 MLS and U.S. Soccer initiative. “Micah Cooks is among those young players who we feel will bring American soccer and MLS into the next millennium,” executive vice president Ivan Gazidis said. “MLS is committed to keeping our players in the United States and to develop the talent as we see in Micah.” In March 1999, Micah, the younger brother of D.C. United Project-40 defensive midfielder Judah Cooks, participated in a 10-day tryout with famed First Division club Ajax of Amsterdam following his senior season at the Bullis Preparatory School in Potomac, Md. Recruited by the University of Maryland, Duke and St. Louis, Cooks was a four-year varsity starter on the Bullis Prep varsity soccer team from 1995-1998 where he garnered First Team All-League and All-County (Montgomery) selection each season. In his four campaigns, the potent striker scored 45 goals and 60 assists. As a junior and a senior, the youngest Cooks was named First Team NSCAA All-America, All-Metropolitan (Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, Washington, D.C.) and All-State (Maryland). A member of the U.S. Under-18 national team from 1996-1998, Cooks led the young U.S. squad in scoring with three goals at the 1998 World Youth Championships in Moscow. One of five Project-40 players (Ben Olsen, Tim Sahaydak, Carlos Parra, Judah Cooks) to develop their game through youth club team FC Delco Dynamo (Delaware County, Pa.), Cooks has been playing with FC Delco since 1997, and won the Under-17 National Club Championship in 1998 with a 2-1 win over San Juan Arsenal in Phoenix, Ariz. Cooks captured the scoring title in the three-game tournament, putting away two strikes, including the game-winner, in the championship. MICAH COOKS Hometown: Washington, D.C. Midfield/Forward 6-0 165 7/2/81 LAST CLUB: FC Delco Dynamo (Pa.) A four-year starter from 1995-1998 on the varsity soccer team at the Bullis Preparatory School in Potomac, Maryland … Earned First Team All-League and All-County (Montgomery) for all four seasons … As team captain in 1998 and 1999, named First Team NSCAA All-America, All-Metropolitan (Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, Washington, DC) and All-State (Maryland) … Named the 1998 Gazette Newspaper Player of the Year …In March 1999, participated in a 10-day tryout with famed first division club Ajax of Amsterdam … U.S. National Team: A member of the U.S. Under-18 National Team from 1996-1998 … Led the U.S. squad in goals (3) at the 1998 World Youth Championships in Moscow … Club Team: Member of FC Delco Dynamo (Delaware County, Penn) from 1997-1999 … In 1998, with FC Delco, won the U-17 National Club Championships scoring the game-winning goal in 77th minute of the 2-1 victory over San Juan Arsenal in Phoenix, Arizona … Leading goal scorer with two goals at the three-game 1999 National Championship … Chosen to play in the 1997 and 1998 adidas Elite Soccer Program where he was teammates with Project-40 midfielder DaMarcus Beasley (Los Angeles Galaxy) … A member of the U.S. Region I ODP (Olympic Development Program) and Virginia ODP from 1994-1998 … Personal: Recruited by University of Maryland, Duke and St. Louis for the 2000 freshman class … Played JV basketball in 1995-1996 … Enjoys sketching, drawing cartoons … The youngest of three brothers … Middle brother Judah is a member of Project-40 (signed on January 26, 1998) and is assigned to D.C. United.