United States U-17 World Cup player Bobby Convey became the youngest player to ever sign a MLS contract (16 years, 8 months) when MLS announced a round of Project-40 signings Jan. 20 Also joining the youth development program are: Nick Garcia, a defender for 1999 and 1998 NCAA Division I champion Indiana and member of the U.S. 1999 U-20 World Cup team; Defender Carlos Bocanegra , a UCLA Bruin who was also a member of the U-20s who competed in Nigeria; Midfielder Shaker Asad from N.C. State; Midfielder Rusty Pierce of UNC Greensboro; And 19-year-old Washington, D.C.-area attacker Sergio Salas, who was identified by U.S national team coach Bruce Arena. For first time in the four-year history of the program, eight Project-40 players (recently signed Micah Cooks and Danny Califf are the seventh and eighth players) will receive their team assignments via the 2000 MLS SuperDraft. Slated for Feb. 6 at 10:00 a.m. ET in Ft. Lauderdale, the SuperDraft marks the first time MLS has unified its February player selection processes formerly known as the MLS college and supplemental drafts. Under the new structure, Project-40 players are included in the six-round draft. Prior to the upcoming season, the 34 Project-40 signees were placed with MLS clubs by the MLS Player Personnel Department.