BALTIMORE — Eight is a strong number for Josh Lambo — says his mother, a student of numerology.

So it is highly coincidental that Lambo, a Middleton resident, was selected by FC Dallas with the eighth overall pick in Friday's 2008 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

"It's remarkable," said Lambo, a goalkeeper who has spent the past 2 1⁄2 years in residency with the U.S. Under-17 national team in Bradenton, Fla. "It's an honor, not only to be chosen in the first round and the top 10, but also to be the first goalkeeper drafted."

Lambo, who turned 17 in November, becomes the youngest goalkeeper in MLS history.

"It will be good for me, because I need training in a professional environment before I get thrown into the lion's den," Lambo said. "When I do get to my prime, hopefully by the time I'm 26 or 27, I'll have a lot of games under my belt, and I'll be more prepared than most goalkeepers my age."

Lambo already is considered further along in his development than Brad Guzan and Chris Seitz, two of the most heralded young goalkeepers in MLS, were at his age.

"We think he's the best young goalkeeper around, and we're delighted to have him," Dallas coach Steve Morrow said. "He's very strong and well-developed for his age, and we feel he's got a great future."

As Lambo left the podium, he was greeted with a hug from former U.S. Under-17 teammate Brek Shea, a midfielder who was selected by Dallas with the second overall pick.

"The first thing I told him was 'Hey, we're teammates again,' " Lambo said. "We've helped each other through our ups and downs in our national team career, and I feel we're going to do the same now."