Louisville's Hairston, Ockford Selected in 2014 MLS SuperDraft
January 16, 2014 | Men's Soccer
Jan. 16, 2014
PHILADELPHIA - The Louisville men's soccer program continued its impressive run at the Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday as Marlon Hairston and Jimmy Ockford were each among the first 21 selections during the 2014 edition at the Philadelphia Convention Center.
Hairston, a midfielder from Jackson, Miss., was the 12th pick overall in the first round of the draft by the Colorado Rapids, while Ockford, a defender from Yardley, Pa., was chosen 21st overall and was the second pick in the second round by the Seattle Sounders FC. It marked the fourth straight year two or more Cardinals have been selected in the first two rounds of the MLS SuperDraft.
"We're excited for Marlon and Jimmy and the continuation of their careers while also fulfilling their dreams," said Louisville men's soccer head coach Ken Lolla. "We're grateful for the opportunity to help each of them in their development in reaching this point in their lives. We know they will continue to represent the University of Louisville well."
Starting all 20 games for the Cardinals in both the midfield and as a forward, Hairston scored three goals with two assists as a sophomore in 2013 while earning First Team All-American Athletic Conference honors. Named to the All-Big East Rookie team as a freshman in 2012, Hairston finished with six goals and five assists in his two seasons in Louisville. Earlier this month, it was announced that Hairston would enter the 2014 MLS SuperDraft as a Generation adidas signee.
Earning the start in all 20 games along the backline in his only season with the Cardinals, Ockford (Yardley, Pa.) was selected as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year while also providing scoring punch connecting for four goals, including three game-winners. Delivering game-winners against top 20 foe Virginia, UCF and top 20 opponent Saint Louis, Ockford was also a key defensively as Louisville ranked among the nation's top 30 teams in shutout percentage.
Making its seventh straight NCAA Championship appearance, No. 18 Louisville ended its season with a 1-0 double-overtime loss at No. 11 Michigan State in the second round. The Cardinals (11-5-4) won the inaugural American Athletic Conference regular season championship with a 5-1-2 league mark. Selected as a host for the first round of the NCAA Championship, Louisville advanced past Denver with a 3-2 shootout win on Nov. 21 before the season-ending loss to the Spartans.
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
All-Time Louisville MLS SuperDraft Picks
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
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
