Eckenrode Selected by Toronto FC in MLS SuperDraft
1/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
• Wolverines in Professional Soccer
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Former University of Michigan men's soccer standout Lars Eckenrode (2013-16) was selected by Toronto FC with the 17th pick in the fourth round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft Tuesday (Jan. 17). Eckenrode becomes the ninth MLS Superdraftee in school history.
Lars Eckenrode selected with the 17th pick in the 4th round by @torontofc
READ---> https://t.co/ZzOUC5e9kL#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/zdZH2qYNW2-- U-M Men's Soccer (@umichsoccer) January 17, 2017
Eckenrode, a 2016 team captain, earned second team All-Big Ten honors the past year, the second Big Ten honor of his career after being named to the all-freshman team (2013). In his senior season, he started all 17 matches for the Maize and Blue in central defense, playing a team-high 1,630 minutes. A four-year starter, he suited up in 67 matches as a Wolverine and was the fourth defender in U-M history to earn All-Big Ten second team honors.
The skipper will look to earn a place in a side that is coming off its second straight MLS Playoff berth this past season and possesses loads of firepower in United States National Team mainstays Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley, as well as recent Big Ten standouts Jay Chapman (Michigan State), Tsubasa Endoh (Maryland) and Eriq Zavaleta (Indiana).
Previous Wolverines selected in the MLS Superdraft include Fabio Pereira (2014), Kofi Opare (2013), Justin Meram (2011), Mauro Fuzetti (2010), Peri Marosevic (2009), Michael Holody (2009), Knox Cameron (2005) and Kevin Taylor (2004).
