Story Courtesy of Akron Sports Information
AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron men's soccer senior David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) culminated his stellar Zips' career with his selection ninth overall in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Thursday, Jan. 21.
Egbo becomes the 14th Zip to have their name called during the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, including a league record five selections in the first eight picks in 2011 following the Zips' national championship season. Additionally, he is the 28th Zip to be drafted during the MLS SuperDraft overall with his selection.
Since 2008, Akron leads the country with eight players chosen among the top-five selections in the MLS SuperDraft. The Zips also boast the highest total of players picked among the top-10 draftees over the same span with 13.
"I'm honored that Vancouver has chosen to give me this opportunity to come show myself and my talent," said Egbo. "Coming from Akron my No. 1 priority is to win, so I know what can do on the ball, I know my abilities, but I'm just there to do whatever the coach and team wants me to do and to win, that is my No. 1 priority going to Vancouver."
A 2018 All-America honoree, Egbo appeared in 56 career contests for Akron, registering 21 goals and adding 13 assists for 55 points, while collecting 132 shots, with 50 falling on frame.
Pulling in First-Team All-Mid-American Conference honors for the second straight year in 2019, Egbo started 13 of the 15 games in which he appeared in that season, registering team-leading marks in goals (9), assists (4), points (18), shots (49) and shots on goal (19).
Egbo rated second in the MAC in goals (0.47), points (1.20), shots (3.27) and shots on goal (1.27) per contest. In league-only affairs, he led the conference in goals (0.75), points (2.25) and shots (4.00) per outing, while pacing all players in total goals (3) and points (9), and ranking second in total assists (3) and shots (16).
"I'm extremely proud of Dave as he is as talented as any player we have here at Akron, and has the potential to be a great player," Akron head coach Jared Embick commented. "This is just the next step for him on that path to becoming a great player."
Developing players for the next level has become commonplace for the Akron staff as 43 Zips have gone on to play professionally either in Major League Soccer, USL or overseas since 2006, including No. 1 overall picks Joao Moutinho in 2018 and Steve Zakuani in 2009, and No. 2 overall picks Darlington Nagbe in 2011 and Darren Mattocks in 2012 - just to name a few. Nagbe was part of a draft class that set MLS draft day records for most players drafted from a single school in the first round (5) and overall (8).
