Two former Sacramento State men’s soccer players are taking their game to the professional level.

Midfielders Ernesto Carranza and Fernando Cabadas on Jan. 18 were selected by two Major League Soccer teams in the supplemental draft portion of the MLS 2011 rookie draft.

The former teammates finished their careers at Sac State as the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked players, respectively, in school history in career assists, matches started and played.

Coach Michael Linenberger said he was proud of the two players and for what they have done for the program in their four years at Sac State.

“I am so happy for our guys. They really deserve a chance at the next level,” Linenberger said. “I am also excited for our program as this is a sign for bigger and better things to come.”

The last time a Hornet was considered for a professional spot by an MLS team was in 1996 when Brandon Cavitt was selected by the league in its very first college draft. Cavitt, drafted as a midfielder in the third round by the Dallas Burn, played two seasons for Sac State from 1993 to 1995.

Carranza was selected No. 22 overall in the supplemental draft with the fourth pick in the second round by MLS club Chivas USA.

Cabadas was selected No. 24 in the same round as his former teammate by MLS club, the New England Revolution.

Carranza, who on Jan. 7 was invited to the MLS combine, finished his Hornet career with 18 goals and 20 assists for 56 career points. He appeared in 82 matches in four seasons, making 81 starts. Carranza was named first-team all-MPSF at the end of the 2010 season and was MPSF Player of the Year his junior year.

Carranza said he was at home following the draft online when he found out Chivas USA selected him.

“When I saw my name come up, I felt good. It was an unexplainable feeling,” Carranza said. “I was really happy because I have worked hard for this since I was a little kid.”

Carranza hopes to contribute the same level of dedication to his new team that he did while at Sac State.

“What I am hoping to bring to the table is hard work. I know some days I may not play my best soccer but I know if I work hard on my game, that should get me through those days,” Carranza said. “I feel that I can be a play maker for my teammates while scoring a few goals for myself.”

As Carranza’s former college coach, Linenberger feels Carranza will have an immediate impact for his new team at the professional level.

“We knew when we recruited him that he was a pretty special player. He has the ability to do things on the soccer field that as a coach you can’t teach. I feel that Ernesto can be a game changer for his team,” Linenberger said. “He has the ability to contribute in his first year, possibly coming off the bench and being an extra attacker in situations where a goal is needed. He has enough soccer in him that if the team would be willing to give him a chance, that he can be a game changer for the professional level as well.”

Carranza was instrumental for Sac State late in the championship game of the MPSF Tournament. His deflected assist to Max Alvarez was quickly cleaned up by Chris Bettencourt in the box for the game winning goal that would send the team into the second round of the NCAA Tournament against UCLA.

Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser said he was amazed a player like Carranza was still available late in the draft.

“With the number of picks we had in the first three rounds, we felt by the 40th pick that he would be gone,” Fraser said. “By the time our next pick came up in the supplemental, he was still there and we chose him.”

Fraser also felt that Carranza has skills necessary to play professional soccer and it showed early on.

“He was a player we didn’t know much about going into the first day of the combine. He showed a little bit of creativity and flare, so we continued to keep our eye on him throughout the combine,” Fraser said. “He had good moments and felt he was a kid that could fit into our system.”

Team officials for the Revolution and Sacramento native Cabadas were not immediately available for comment.

Cabadas, a former walk-on with Sac State, completed his four seasons with nine goals and 19 assists for 37 career points. He made 73 starts while appearing in 78 games. He was named first-team all-MPSF for the second straight season following the 2010 campaign.

Carranza will make his MLS debut March 19 against Kansas City at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.Cabadas will make his debut March 20 vs. the L.A. Galaxy.

Matt Harrington can be reached at [email protected]