Akron's Jonathan Lewis and Danilo Radjen Selected in MLS SuperDraft
Courtesy of Akron's Sports Information Department
2017 MLS SUPERDRAFT TRACKER | NYCFC VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY | JONATHAN LEWIS THOUGHTS ON BEING DRAFTED (COURTESY MLS)
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Akron men's soccer freshman Jonathan Lewis (Plantation, Fla.) became the 12th Zip to have his name called during the first round of the MLS SuperDraft with his selection No. 3 overall on Friday, Jan. 13, by New York City FC.
"Jonathan is a tremendous player and person," Akron head coach Jared Embickcommented. "We are extremely proud of what he has accomplished in his short time at Akron. We are excited to see his future development in the MLS. He is another Akron player that will represent the program and the University of Akron well as a professional."
"It's an honor to go to such a big club – they have belief in me, so I can't wait to get started and to repay that faith," said Lewis on his selection by NYCFC. "I want to say thank you to the University of Akron, they took me into their family and helped me become a better player and get ready for the future."
New York City FC traded up in the draft with the Chicago Fire to acquire Lewis, who will now team with David Villa and the 2016 MLS SuperDraft No. 1 pick Jack Harrison in the team's talented attack.
A 2017 Generation adidas class member, Lewis, the 2016 Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, scored a pair of goals in 2016 and led Akron in assists (12), scoring (16) and shots on goal (21), while ranking third on the team in shots (44). His 12 assists were tied as the top mark nationally across the NCAA in Division I.
Lewis is a member of the US Under-20 national team camp called in preparation for the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
Lewis became the 12th Zip to be drafted during the first round of the MLS SuperDraft and the highest-rated selection since Darren Mattocks was selected No. 2 overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. Akron had a league record five selections in the first eight picks in 2011 following the Zips' national championship season.
The University of Akron men's soccer program, which owns the highest winning percentage in the nation since 2007, has developed into a perennial contender for the NCAA title since capturing the school's first team national championship in any sport in 2010. While incorporating a style of play that is attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball, the Zips reached the NCAA final in 2009 and 2010 while advancing to the College Cup in 2015.
Additionally, developing players for the next level has become commonplace for the Akron staff as now 29 Zips have gone on to play professionally either in Major League Soccer, USL or overseas since 2006, including No. 1 overall pick Steve Zakuani in 2009, and No. 2 overall picks Darlington Nagbe in 2011 and Darren Mattocks in 2012. 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).
Zakuani was the program's first No. 1 overall draft pick at the 2009 SuperDraft. The Hermann Trophy finalist and nation's leading scorer (20 goals in 23 matches) in 2008 was the first ever pick of the then-expansion Seattle Sounders. Since then, the Zips have had two players drafted as high as the No. 2 overall pick. Darlington Nagbe, who was the school's second straight Hermann Trophy winner, earned the distinction in 2011 when he was drafted by Portland and Jamaican striker Darren Mattocks followed suit in 2012, going to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Teal Bunbury, the 2009 Hermann Trophy winner, would be the first of three Zips taken at the 2010 draft when Sporting Kansas City made the athletic striker with Canadian roots the No. 4 overall pick. Adding to the list that season were teammates Blair Gavin (No. 10) and Ben Zemanski (No. 47), who were each drafted by Chivas USA.
2017 MLS SUPERDRAFT TRACKER
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - University of Akron men's soccer senior Danilo Radjen(Broadview Heights, Ohio) capped a stellar collegiate career with his selection in the MLS SuperDraft by the Houston Dynamo with the 14th selection of the second round (36th overall) on Friday, Jan. 13.
"I am really happy for Danilo," Akron head coach Jared Embick commented. "He has had a great career and has been rewarded for what he has done in college. He is a tremendous player and an outstanding young man. I couldn't be more proud of how he represented our program over the years. I look forward to his MLS career."
"I am grateful to Houston for drafting me and for my two and a half years at Akron which have prepared me for this opportunity," said Radjen on his selection by Houston. "Go Zips!"
A two-year starter for the Zips, Radjen started 29 of the 30 games in which he appeared in for Akron, including 14 starts this past season. He helped spark a Zips' defensive unit that has posted 20 shutouts over the last two campaigns, including 11 this fall.
Radjen became the 20th Zip to be drafted during the MLS SuperDraft and joined teammate Jonathan Lewis (Plantation, Fla.), who was selected No. 3 overall by New York City FC in the first round, the highest-rated selection since Darren Mattocks was selected No. 2 overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. Akron had a league record five selections in the first eight picks in 2011 following the Zips' national championship season.
The University of Akron men's soccer program, which owns the highest winning percentage in the nation since 2007, has developed into a perennial contender for the NCAA title since capturing the school's first team national championship in any sport in 2010. While incorporating a style of play that is attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball, the Zips reached the NCAA final in 2009 and 2010 while advancing to the College Cup in 2015.
Additionally, developing players for the next level has become commonplace for the Akron staff as now 30 Zips have gone on to play professionally either in Major League Soccer, USL or overseas since 2006, including No. 1 overall pick Steve Zakuani in 2009, and No. 2 overall picks Darlington Nagbe in 2011 and Darren Mattocks in 2012. 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).
