LIers Don Anding, Jimmy Nealis picked in MLS draft

Don Anding made his reptuation as a dangerous Northeastern University forward, but if he wants to play pro soccer, he figures it will be as a left fullback.

The Amity Harbor native was one of two Long Islanders taken in Thursday's MLS SuperDraft. Anding was selected by the Philadelphia Union in the second round (26th overall). Massapequa's Jimmy Nealis, a left back at Georgetown University, was chosen by the Houston Dynamo as the 37th pick.

Anding, 21, a 2008 Newsday All-Long Island second-team selection at Chaminade High School, is willing to do what's needed to make the team."I always played forward, but I feel I could be a really good fit at left back," he said.

"I came in knowing that I would probably be looked at as utility guy. I'm glad to accept that role, work hard and try and get a spot."

That fits into Union coach John Hackworth's plans. "He needs some time," he said. "But he has tools that nobody can coach."

Nealis, 21, the 2008 state high school player of the year at Massapequa, might battle veteran Corey Ashe for a Dynamo spot.

"Jimmy is a good player and he showed well at the [MLS] combine," said Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear, adding that Nealis "likes to attack. From what we know about him we like. Hopefully we'll see more over the next couple of weeks."