Going Pro: Two Men’s Soccer Players Picked by Pro Teams During MLS SuperDraft

Men’s soccer players Nkosi Burgess and Julian Avila-Good were selected by professional teams during the MLS SuperDraft earlier this month.  Burgess was selected by FC Dallas as the 14th pick in the first round and Avila-Good was taken by Seattle Sounders FC in the third round of the 2020 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Burgess is the highest draft pick in program history and becomes the sixth Redhawk drafted in the last four years.

“It's an absolute honor to be selected by FC Dallas and in the first round,” Burgess says. “You think about moments like this as a kid and now that it's here, it’s an incredible feeling. I'm looking forward to getting started.”

“I'm thrilled for Nkosi,” Coach Pete Fewing says. “I think he has a great opportunity. Dallas was high on him. The fact that they took him with their first pick shows that they value him quite a bit.”

Burgess, a native of Manhattan, New York, made a big impact in his single season at Seattle U. The center back earned WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, becoming the third Redhawk to win the award in the past four seasons. Burgess was a United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region First Team choice. He started 18 matches, anchoring an SU backline that compiled 10 shutouts on the year.

“I am very grateful to be picked by such a great organization like the Sounders,” says Avila-Good. “Of course, I have to thank my teammates and coaches from Seattle U, along with my family and friends who have supported me and have helped me develop into the player I am today.”

Coach Fewing says, “It’s great for Julian and great for the program. I’m excited he’s with Seattle.”

Avila-Good, a native of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Ontario, served as team captain in 2019, leading the Redhawks to the WAC regular-season and tournament crowns. He claimed United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region Second Team, All-WAC First Team and WAC All-Tournament Team honors. Avila-Good started all 23 games in 2019, scoring the tying goal in the WAC Tournament Championship game.

Seattle U’s soccer program owns the nation’s longest active unbeaten streak at 16 games. It won the 2019 WAC regular-season and tournament titles on its way to the NCAA Tournament, where the Redhawks beat Loyola Marymount before playing to a draw at Stanford. The Cardinal advanced on penalty kicks following the match.

Fewing’s squad has now had six Redhawks picked in the draft since 2016. Burgess and Avila-Good join Sergio Rivas (2019), Nathan Aune (2019), Alex Roldan (2017) and Kyle Bjornethun (2016). Sean Morris (2011) and Tom Hardy (1998) were previous MLS picks from Seattle U.