University of Portland junior midfielder Kelly Gray was the fifth overall pick in the recent Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft. Gray had earlier signed a professional contract with NIKE Project-40.

The Chicago Fire made Gray the #5 pick in the SuperDraft, and last season won the Central Division with a 16-6-5 overall record, and reached the semifinals of the MLS playoffs.

Players signed to Nike Project-40 contracts receive an educational stipend in addition to their salary but do not occupy an official spot on the roster of their MLS club.

Kelly Gray

Midfielder

Hometown: San Jose, Calif.

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 170

Born: April 7, 1981

College: University of Portland

Joined U.S. Under-23s for an eight-day training camp ... Since joining the U-20 player pool in 2000, he became one of the team’s more versatile players, lining up at defense, midfield and forward ... Was second on the team in goals scored (12) during the last two years ... Started all three games for the U.S. at the FIFA World Youth Championships in June of 2001 ... Was University of Portland’s second leading scorer with 25 points on nine goals and seven assists ... Helped the Pilots to a 13-6-1 record and a third-round appearance in the NCAA tournament ... Played club soccer for Los Gatos Metro, where he was coached by former MLS All-Star Paul Bravo.