Kubel, Thiaw Selected in 2018 MLS SuperDraft
January 19, 2018 | Men's Soccer
Kubel goes in the second round to Toronto FC; Thiaw selected in second round by San Jose Earthquakes
PHILADELPHIA - The University of Louisville men's soccer program had a pair of players selected in the second round of the 2018 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Friday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center as senior defender Tim Kubel went 28th overall to Toronto FC and senior forward Mohamed Thiaw was chosen 35th by the San Jose Earthquakes.
"We're so proud of Mo and Tim and the effort they made to make this achievement possible. We are pleased to have participated in their growth, which made their dreams a reality," said Louisville head coach Ken Lolla. "They were so instrumental in building a culture of success. Both players were exceptional representatives of our program, Louisville athletics and the entire university."
Kubel capped his brilliant collegiate career with multiple individual honors in 2017. The Stuttgart, Germany native was selected as a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American, chosen as a MAC Hermann Award semifinalist, named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Scholar All-America First Team and was an All-ACC First Team honoree. Kubel scored 21 goals and had a school record 26 assists in 82 matches during his four seasons, including six goals and seven assists in 2017. Overall, he was a two-time All-American, two-time Scholar All-American, four-time All-ACC selection and a two-time MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. Along with his career assists record, Kubel is also Louisville's single season assists record holder registering 11 assists in 2016.
Thiaw closed his two-year career as a Cardinal by being selected as an All-ACC Second Team honoree in 2017 scoring eight goals with two assists in 19 matches, including 17 starts. A two-time All-ACC selection, Thiaw totaled 20 goals and four assists in 41 games during his two seasons at Louisville. Ten of Thiaw's 20 goals for the Cardinals were game-winners, while his hat trick on Oct. 10, 2017 against Florida Atlantic was the first for a Louisville player since 2012.
With Lolla at the helm at Louisville, the Cardinals have been very successful in sending players into professional soccer and specifically Major League Soccer. Since the 2012 draft, Louisville has produced six first round selections in the MLS SuperDraft, including Andrew Farrell as the No. 1 overall pick in 2013. The Cardinals have also had two or more selections in the first two rounds of the SuperDraft six times, highlighted by a school record four selections in 2012. Overall, 20 players from the University of Louisville have been chosen in the MLS SuperDraft all-time.
The Cardinals closed the 2017 season with a 13-2-5 record following a shootout loss to Akron in an NCAA Championship quarterfinal match at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium. Under Lolla's guidance, Louisville reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Championship for the second straight season and the fifth time in the last eight years.
The ACC led all conferences with 16 players chosen on Friday, including eight first round selections. The 2018 MLS SuperDraft, which features 92 selections across four rounds, will conclude with rounds three and four via conference call on Sunday afternoon.
2018 LOUISVILLE SOCCER SEASON TICKETS ON SALE FEB. 6
Season tickets for the 2018 University of Louisville soccer season will go on sale Feb. 6 through the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office. Reserved chairback tickets is priced at $100 for adults, $320 for the Family Four Pack and $80 for faculty/staff. General admission/berm seating is priced at $50 for adults, $200 for the Family Four Pack and $50 for faculty/staff.
Season tickets packages include all UofL men's and women's soccer regular season matches at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium. Additional information regarding 2018 Louisville soccer season tickets will be available soon, including details on special early bird pricing from Feb. 6-22.
FOLLOWING THE CARDNIALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter (@UofLmenssoccer) at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
LOUISVILLE'S ALL-TIME MLS SUPERDRAFT PICKS
2018
Tim Kubel - Toronto FC - 2nd Round - 28th overall
Mohamed Thiaw - San Jose Earthquakes - 2nd Round - 35th overall
2017
Daniel Johnson - Chicago Fire - 1st Round - 11th overall
Stefan Cleveland - Chicago Fire – 2nd Round - 26th overall
Michael DeGraffenreidt - New York City FC - 3rd Round - 60th overall
Romilio Hernandez - Portland Timbers - 4th Round - 80th 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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