Jan. 20, 2006

LAS VEGAS - UNLV senior Rod Dyachenko became the second Rebel ever drafted by Major League Soccer, and the second in as many years as DC United made the Vancouver, Wash., native the seventh selection in the third round and 31st overall on Friday during the first day of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.

By falling in the 31st spot, Dyachenko was picked just one spot behind where former teammate Victor "Boomer" Arbelaez was selected in the 2005 draft, as he was picked by the San Jose Earthquake with the 30th choice.

Dyachenko, a 6-0 forward, finished his career at UNLV as one of the top goal scorers in school history, and was named the 2005 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year. His eight goals in 2005 led the team and gave him 23 for his career, ranking him ninth all-time at UNLV. He also had one assist and finished with 54 career points as a Rebel. Dyachenko scored seven game-winning goals in his four years in Las Vegas, including against top-25 Portland in the beginning of the season. Dyachenko was also a three-time All-MPSF first team selection.