Verdi to D.C. United in MLS SuperDraft After Hallahan's Selection by LAFC
1/13/2020 4:22:00 PM | Men's Soccer
• Hallahan Drafted by LAFC (1/9/2020)
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Senior Andrew Verdi of the University of Michigan men's soccer team was chosen by D.C. United in the third round (65th overall) of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, which concluded via teleconference on Monday (Jan. 13). His selection comes on the heels of senior Jack Hallahan being drafted by LAFC in the second round (50th overall) last Thursday (Jan. 9).
Hallahan and Verdi are the 14th and 15th players in program history selected in the MLS SuperDraft. Since head coach Chaka Daley arrived in 2012, eight players have been drafted, including five in the last three seasons alone.
A native of Ivyland, Pennsylvania, Verdi was a two-year starter, appearing in 28 matches across the 2017 and 2019 seasons. He started 15 matches in the 2019 season, making 32 saves and notching seven shutouts before sustaining an injury in overtime against Wisconsin (Oct. 25) that caused him to miss the remainder of the season. Despite the injury, Verdi was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year and posted a program-best 0.78 goals-against average. Among goalkeepers who have played at least 2,000 minutes, Verdi is the program's career leader in GAA with 0.89, conceding 26 goals in 2,616 minutes.
Verdi is the third Michigan goalkeeper in the last five years to get pulled into an MLS organization, following Evan Louro, who signed a homegrown contract with the New York Red Bulls, and Adam Grinwis, who manned the net for Orlando City SC during its U.S. Open Cup run in 2019.
Hallahan (Redditch, England) suited up in 79 career matches for Michigan from 2016-19, making 70 starts. He is arguably the best four-year player in program history, ranking second in career points (73), third in goals (26) and tied for third in assists (21).
Michigan Players Selected in the MLS SuperDraft (2000-20)
(Including round selected and overall draft position)
2020: Jack Hallahan, LAFC (2-50); Andrew Verdi, D.C. United (3-65)
2019: Marcello Borges, Colorado Rapids (2-28); Robbie Mertz, Colorado Rapids (4-76)
2018: Francis Atuahene, FC Dallas (1-4)
2017: Lars Eckenrode, Toronto FC (4-83)
2014: Fabio Pereira, Seattle Sounders (4-77)
2013: Kofi Opare, LA Galaxy (2-24)
2011: Justin Meram, Columbus Crew (1-15)
2010: Mauro Fuzetti, Sporting KC (3-41)
2009: Peri Marosevic, FC Dallas (1-5); Michael Holody, Colorado Rapids (4-59)
2006: Peter Dzubay, New Jersey MetroStars (2-17)
2005: Knox Cameron, Columbus Crew (4-44)
2004: Kevin Taylor, Colorado Rapids (3-25)
Hallahan
