Clemson University standout Scott Bower has become the first member of the 1999 Project-40 class, Major League Soccer deputy commissioner and Project 2010 managing director Sunil Gulati announced Feb. 2. The under-23 national team player has been assigned to the San Jose Clash, joining Project-40 midfielder Esmundo Rodriguez. “Being part of Project-40 and the San Jose Clash is the best option for me to be exposed to a whole different class of soccer,” Bower said. “I hope that I am given the chance to prove that I can contribute to the Clash’s success.” Before signing with Project-40, Bower helped lead No. 1- ranked Clemson University to the NCAA Division I quarterfinals, only to lose 2-1 to eventual champion Indiana University. Bower had played nine games with the U.S. U-23s, before the February 6 game against the German U-21 squad in Jacksonville, Fla.