University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Danladi Selected First Overall in MLS SuperDraft
January 13, 2017 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – UCLA junior forward Abu Danladi was the first overall selection by Minnesota United FC, while sophomore midfielder Jackson Yueill was taken by the San Jose Earthquakes with the sixth overall pick in the first round and senior defender Michael Amick was picked by the Portland Timbers with the 32nd overall pick in the second round on Friday from the 2017 MLS SuperDraft at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Danladi is the fifth UCLA player in program history to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft joining Tahj Jakins (1997), Steve Shak (2000), Marvell Wynne (2006) and Chance Myers (2008). He is also the first Bruins player to be selected in the top-three since Kelyn Rowe was selected third overall in 2012.
The Bruins have had a total of 18 players taken in the opening round of the MLS SuperDraft since 2004 and it marks the first time since 2012 that the Bruins have had multiple players selected in the first round. With the three total selections, UCLA has now had 71 players taken in the MLS SuperDraft, the most selections all-time on any college.
"Each draft that a UCLA player is selected is a special one", said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. "UCLA Soccer is very proud of Abu, Jackson and Michael. The 2017 MLS season will see a minimum of five more UCLA players in the league which makes our entire Bruin family proud."
Danladi, a native of Takoradi, Ghana, led the Bruins in goals this season with a career-high seven despite only playing in 11 of the team's 20 matches. He was a three-time All-Pac-12 honoree including being tabbed to the first team in 2015. He finishes his three-year career with 54 points on 18 goals and 18 assists. This season he was second on the team in points with 16 and ranked tops in the Pac-12 in points per game at 1.45. Danladi scored twice in 11 seconds against then No. 1 Akron on Sept. 5, the third-fastest consecutive goals scored in NCAA history.
"To be the number one draft pick is a huge honor and Abu is deserving," added Salcedo. "His new club will receive a player that is dynamic and will positively contribute from the moment he steps onto the field. Abu loved being at UCLA and we wish him the best and huge success."
Yueill a native of Bloomington, Minn., was a two-time All-Pac-12 first team selection and two-time NSCAA All-Far West Region first team honoree. He led the Pac-12 with 11 assists and ranked fifth in the NCAA in both total assists and assists per game. In two seasons in Westwood, Yueill totaled 35 points with 17 assists and nine goals, including three game winners. He finished this season with 15 points, good for fourth on the team. He was ranked No. 5 on Top Drawer Soccer's Top 100 Players postseason list. Yueill tied a UCLA-record with four assists in a single game on Sept. 5 against then-No. 1 Akron.
"Jackson as the sixth pick to San Jose is fantastic," said Salcedo. "The head coach, Dominic Kinnear, is a good friend and I know he will get the best out of Jackson, which will be a very high level soccer player. I truly think Jackson can have a very successful career and San Jose is a great place for his journey."
Amick, a native of Sunnyvale, Calif., was a three-time captain for the Bruins and a three-time All-Pac-12 selection including being named to the first team in 2014. This season he was named the Pac-12 Men's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year and a CoSIDA Academic All-America first team selection. Limited to only 12 games this season, Amick helped lead the Bruins to a 7-3-1 start to the year with four shut outs. In 2014, he was named a NSCAA All-American third team selection and an All-Far West first team honoree. In four years in Westwood, Amick was a two-time Academic All-American, a three-time Pac-12 All-Academic Team selection and was a nominee for the Senior CLASS Award.
"Michael being picked on the first day of the draft is tremendous," said Salcedo. "He is one of the best student-athletes our athletic department has ever seen. We wish him the best because that is what he deserves. "
The final two rounds of the MLS SuperDraft will continue on Tuesday, Jan. 17 via conference call beginning at 11 a.m. PT.
