Napo Matsoso Selected 31st in MLS SuperDraft
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LOS ANGELES – Kentucky men’s soccer’s Napo Matsoso was selected ninth in the second round, 31st overall, by the New England Revolution at the MLS SuperDraft on Friday at the LA Convention Center.
Matsoso became the highest MLS draft pick in school history. No Wildcat had ever been taken before the third round previously.
Matsoso spent four years as a starter at Kentucky. The Lesotho international made 73 appearances, all starts, after graduating from St. Francis High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
The 5’6”, 150-pound midfielder finished his career with 19 goals and 20 assists and earned three consecutive All-Conference USA First Team and NSCAA All-Southeast Region First Team nods.
He concluded his UK career with the third most assists in school history, and tied for the ninth most goals.
As a senior in 2016, Matsoso led the Wildcats with 20 points, scoring eight goals and four assists. He captained Kentucky to the 16th overall seed and a first-round bye in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
Following the season, Matsoso was named to the NSCAA All-American Second Team. He also paced the Wildcats with 14 points during his junior season, leading the team to an undefeated 7-0-1 record in C-USA play en route to the league title.
Originally born in Lesotho, Matsoso departed southern Africa at the age of 15 and traveled 9,000 miles to Louisville to pursue an education soccer in the United States.
The Revolution expect Matsoso to join the team in Foxborough for the start of preseason training on January 23.
“Congratulations to Napo for getting this chance at the next level,” Kentucky head coach Johan Cedergren said. “We’ve said time and time again during his tenure at UK what a special player he is, and I’m looking forward to watching him bring his talent into the professional ranks. Napo helped lead our program to another level. It’s great to see him have a chance to continue pursuing his dreams.”
SuperDraft Rounds three and four will take place via a conference call on Tuesday, January 17.
Kentucky in the MLS SuperDraft History
2017 – Napo Matsoso (31st, New England Revolution – Rd. 2)
2013 – Cam Wilder (83rd, FC Dallas – Rd. 3)
2010 – Jason Griffiths (48, New England Revolution – Rd. 3)
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