Bobby Convey
Bobby Convey (born May 27, 1983) in Philadelphia became famous when he was drafed in 2000 by the D.C. United of Major League Soccer (MLS) soccer. That year he was the youngest player ever signed by Major League Soccer. Convey was originally slotted to play the majority of the season with the Project-40 squad, however, as United faltered he was called upon by United to step in and perform almost immediately. He played 22 games for the United in 2000, starting 18 of those. Convey entered his first game in United's 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the home opener at Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Stadium on March 25, 2000 and was awarded his first start in United's 2-1 loss at Columbus' on May 3, 2000. It was not until Independence Day of 2000 against the Colorado Rapids that Convey served up Raul Diaz Arce at the far post for a header past a helpless David Kramer. The teen also was impressive against Premier side Newcastle, when the Magpies visited D.C. during a preseason training stint in the U.S. Convey's two assists and high work rate during that friendly were enough to draw the attention of Newcastle's famed manager Bobby Robson.
In subsequent years United has signed other record setting younsters to their roster. In 2001 MLS and United signed Santino Quaranta, who at 16 years, four months of age, became the youngest player ever drafted by MLS (eclipsing Bobby Convey by four months). The on Friday, January 16, 2004 United made Freddy Adu the first player selected in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft and at 14 can become the youngest professional player in United States major league sport history since Fred Chapman played Major League Baseball in Philadelphia in 1887.
