Photo by: Chris Carter | Louisville Athletics
Three Cardinals Selected in MLS SuperDraft
December 19, 2023 | Men's Soccer
Damien Barker John, Josh Jones and Gage Guerra were each picked on Tuesday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville soccer program was well represented on Tuesday as three student-athletes were selected during the 2024 edition of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
Damien Barker John (Round 2, Pick 37, Real Salt Lake), Josh Jones (Round 2, Pick 47, Real Salt Lake) and Gage Guerra (Round 3, Pick 69, Portland Timbers) each had their name called during the three-round draft.
The three selections are the most for the Louisville program since having four taken following the 2017 season. The Cardinals have had at least one player selected in 12 of the last 14 seasons and seven have now been drafted in John Michael Hayden's five years at the helm of the program.
Barker John had an excellent sophomore season with the Cardinals. The forward led UofL with nine goals and 21 points while adding three assists. Barker John picked up a brace in three matches this season becoming the third Louisville player since 2001 to register three multi-goal matches in a season.
Jones earned All-ACC honors in 2023 in his third season as a starting center back at Louisville. The junior logged more than 1,500 minutes in the backline, but made his presence felt in the attacking third as well. Jones registered three goals for the second straight season while adding a pair of assists.
Guerra had an electric start to his Louisville career before being derailed by injuries. The junior tallied six goals in the first five matches, the most by a Louisville player since at least 2001. Despite missing eight matches, Guerra still finished second on the team with seven goals.
Barker John and Jones were among 44 players invited to the fourth-annual adidas MLS College Showcase taking place Dec. 6-9 in Phoenix, Ariz.
All three will have the option to return to school and further their development, but will not be draft-eligible in the future. A selected player who elects to go back to college or remains unsigned will have their SuperDraft Priority held by the drafting club for approximately two years following the SuperDraft.
The Cardinals finished the 2023 season with a 12-6-3 record, earning a NCAA Tournament berth for the third consecutive season.
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Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleMSOC.
Damien Barker John (Round 2, Pick 37, Real Salt Lake), Josh Jones (Round 2, Pick 47, Real Salt Lake) and Gage Guerra (Round 3, Pick 69, Portland Timbers) each had their name called during the three-round draft.
The three selections are the most for the Louisville program since having four taken following the 2017 season. The Cardinals have had at least one player selected in 12 of the last 14 seasons and seven have now been drafted in John Michael Hayden's five years at the helm of the program.
Barker John had an excellent sophomore season with the Cardinals. The forward led UofL with nine goals and 21 points while adding three assists. Barker John picked up a brace in three matches this season becoming the third Louisville player since 2001 to register three multi-goal matches in a season.
Jones earned All-ACC honors in 2023 in his third season as a starting center back at Louisville. The junior logged more than 1,500 minutes in the backline, but made his presence felt in the attacking third as well. Jones registered three goals for the second straight season while adding a pair of assists.
Guerra had an electric start to his Louisville career before being derailed by injuries. The junior tallied six goals in the first five matches, the most by a Louisville player since at least 2001. Despite missing eight matches, Guerra still finished second on the team with seven goals.
Barker John and Jones were among 44 players invited to the fourth-annual adidas MLS College Showcase taking place Dec. 6-9 in Phoenix, Ariz.
All three will have the option to return to school and further their development, but will not be draft-eligible in the future. A selected player who elects to go back to college or remains unsigned will have their SuperDraft Priority held by the drafting club for approximately two years following the SuperDraft.
The Cardinals finished the 2023 season with a 12-6-3 record, earning a NCAA Tournament berth for the third consecutive season.
FOLLOW LOUISVILLE MEN'S SOCCER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleMSOC.
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