Akron players dominate MLS Draft

NCAA.com

The University of Akron had five players drafted among the first eight selections Thursday in the Major League Soccer Draft. Overall, the Zips had seven players chosen — all within the top 33 picks.

Omar Salgado, a 17-year-old forward on the U.S. Under-20 team, was selected by the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps with the first pick. Then came the run on Akron players: No. 2 Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers); No. 3 Perry Kitchen (D.C. United); No. 4 Zarek Valentin (Chivas USA); No. 7 Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo); and No. 8 Michael Nanchoff (Vancouver).

“Very surprised and absolutely ecstatic,” Timbers head coach John Spencer said of snaring Nagbe. “He’s very versatile,” Spencer said. “He’s a pure, natural talent and we’re delighted to have him in Portland.”

Nagbe, a junior forward and midfielder who helped Akron win its first NCAA title, was awarded the Hermann Trophy last week as the top men’s college soccer player.

Akron’s Chris Korb was chosen 31st by D.C. United and the San Jose Earthquakes selected Anthony Ampaipitakwong with the No. 33 pick.

Five players from the University of California were drafted, including Servando Carrasco, Hector Jimenez, Demitrius Omphroy, Davis Paul and A.J. Soares.

The University of North Carolina had four players selected: Eddie Ababio, Jalil Anibaba, Michael Farfan and Stephen McCarthy.

Akron defeated Louisville 1-0 in the NCAA College Cup final in December, capturing the school’s first championship in any sport. It was the Zips second consecutive appearance in the College Cup finals.

Two players from Louisville were selected, Charlie Campbell and J.T. Murray.

• SI.com: Akron’s draft class potentially ranks among the all-time greats