Johnson, Cleveland Chosen by Chicago Fire in 2017 MLS SuperDraft
January 13, 2017 | Men's Soccer
Johnson selected 11th overall in the first round; Cleveland goes fourth in the second round
LOS ANGELES - The University of Louisville men's soccer program had a pair of players selected in the first two rounds of the 2017 Major League Soccer SuperDraft and both were chosen by the Chicago Fire as senior midfielder Daniel Johnson went 11th overall while graduate goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland was the fourth selection in the second round and 26th overall.
Johnson became the fourth highest MLS SuperDraft selection in school history behind only No. 1 overall pick Andrew Farrell in 2013 (New England Revolution), No. 7 Nick DeLeon in 2012 (DC United) and No. 9 Austin Berry in 2012 (Chicago Fire). A total of 16 Louisville players all-time have been selected in the MLS SuperDraft, including seven in the first round.
"We are so excited for DJ and Stefan as they continue to pursue their dream of playing professional soccer," said Louisville head coach Ken Lolla. "We're pleased to have played a part in their growth and development. It's awesome they will have the chance to continue to play together in Chicago and I'm sure it will help their transition to have the support of each other."
Johnson was a two-time All-ACC performer in his two seasons with the Cardinals scoring seven goals and adding five assists in 41 starts. In his final collegiate season in 2016, Johnson received All-ACC Third Team recognition after connecting for two goals and sharing five assists while starting all 22 matches. As a junior, he was an All-ACC Second Team honoree scoring five goals and starting all 19 matches for the Cardinals.
In his only season at Louisville after transferring from Dartmouth, Cleveland earned CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team accolades while playing every minute in goal and starting all 22 matches. He registered 10 shutouts overall, the most for a Louisville goalkeeper since 2011, and ranked 14th in the nation in goals against average at 0.710.
The ACC led all conferences with 12 players chosen on Friday, including seven first round selections. The 2017 MLS SuperDraft, which features 88 selections across four rounds, will conclude with rounds three and four via conference call on Tuesday.
Louisville closed the season ranked sixth nationally in the final NSCAA Top 25 and finished with a 14-6-2 record after advancing to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championship for the fourth time in the last seven seasons.
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter (@UofLmenssoccer) at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
ALL-TIME LOUISVILLE MLS SUPERDRAFT PICKS
2017
Daniel Johnson - Chicago Fire - 1st Round - 11th overall
Stefan Cleveland - Chicago Fire – 2nd Round - 26th overall
2015
Daniel Keller - LA Galaxy - 3rd Round - 62nd overall
2014
Marlon Hairston - Colorado Rapids - 1st Round - 12th overall
Jimmy Ockford - Seattle Sounders - 2nd Round - 21st overall
2013
Andrew Farrell - New England Revolution - 1st Round - 1st overall
Paolo DelPiccolo - Montreal Impact - 2nd Round - 27th overall
Greg Cochrane - LA Galaxy - 2nd Round - 38th overall
Brock Granger - Real Salt Lake - Supplemental 3rd Round - 88th overall
2012
Nick DeLeon - DC United - 1st Round - 7th overall
Austin Berry - Chicago Fire - 1st Round - 9th overall
Colin Rolfe - Houston Dynamo - 1st Round - 18th overall
Kenney Walker - LA Galaxy - 2nd Round - 38th overall
2011
J.T. Murray - Sporting Kansas City - 2nd Round - 32nd overall
Charlie Campbell - FC Dallas - 2nd Round - 35th overall
2004
Adrian Cann - Colorado Rapids - 1st Round - 16th overall
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