MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Selects Four Players in MLS SuperDraft 2024

Published on December 19, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United selected two players in the first round of MLS SuperDraft 2024: Indiana University defender Hugo Bacharach with the 9th overall pick and West Virginia University forward Marcus Caldeira with the 20th overall pick. In the subsequent rounds, MNUFC selected Marshall University defender Morris Duggan with the 67th overall pick and Babacar Niang, Wake Forest University midfielder, with the 78th overall pick.

Earlier today, MNUFC announced it had traded $100,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM) to the New England Revolution, and in exchange, acquired the natural first- and third-round selections in the MLS SuperDraft 2024, receiving the 20th and 78th overall selections from New England.

Hailing from Benicàssim, Spain, Bacharach was a versatile defender in his collegiate career, rotating between center back and defensive midfield roles. His defensive efforts helped Indiana to an undefeated run, winning 12 of 13 matches during the 2023 season. Bacharach has also proved himself to be a threat, scoring the game-tying goal and overtime winner against Wake Forest in the NCAA tournament, both goals off set pieces.

Bacharach played three seasons at Fairleigh Dickinson, where he notably led FDU to NEC regular-season and tournament titles, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022. He made 38 appearances from 2020-22, recording seven goals. Bacharach received multiple accolades with the Burgundy and Blue, where he was named the NEC Defensive Player of the Year and earned three First Team All-NEC nods. Prior to his collegiate career, Bacharach trained with LaLiga's Villarreal CF Academy.

With the 20th pick overall and their last first-round pick, the Loons selected Marcus Caldeira from West Virginia University.

Caldeira led the Mountaineers and the Sun Belt Conference in goals (12) in a single season. The 19-year-old started his sophomore season on a hot streak, scoring in the first six games of the season. During his freshman season, the Ontario native made 15 starts, appearing in 18 matches. He, once again, led the team in goals scored and provided four assists, totaling 14 points on the season. Before committing to West Virginia, Caldeira played for Forge FC (CPL) and Sigma FC (League 1 Ontario) and attended Port Credit Secondary School, where he was twice named Athlete of the Year.

In the third round, MNUFC selected Morris Duggan with the 67th overall pick and Babacar Niang with the 78th overall pick.

After joining Marshall University's team in 2022, Duggan became a mainstay in the Herd defense. As a junior, he appeared and started in all 19 of Marshall's matches, totaling 1,558 minutes. In 2023, Duggan was named captain and was part of a defense that had the most shutouts (11) during a single-season. His performances earned him the league's Defensive Player of the Year award and First-Team All-Conference honors. Across his 37 total matches played with the Herd, the 23-year-old has scored three goals and provided two assists. He was recently named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, alongside teammate Matthew Bell (Real Salt Lake).

Niang played three seasons at Wake Forest University and a brief stint with the New York Red Bulls U23 Academy team. He played 481 minutes across seven games for New York. This past season at Wake Forest, the Senegalese midfielder appeared in 14 matches, recorded seven points from two goals and three assists. During his time at The Pennington School, he was named Prep Player of the Year and an All-Area Player of the Year.

VITALS

Hugo Bacharach

Pronunciation: HOO-Goh Bak-uh-rak

Position: Defender

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 210

Date of Birth: 7/27/2001

Hometown: Benicàssim, Spain

Previous Club: Indiana University

VITALS

Marcus Caldeira

Pronunciation: Mar-Kis Call-Dare-Ah

Position: Forward

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 184

Date of Birth: 10/14/2004

Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Previous Club: West Virginia University

VITALS

Morris Duggan

Position: Defender

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 205

Date of Birth: 10/24/2000

Hometown: Munich, Germany

Previous Club: Marshall University

VITALS

Babacar Niang

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5'11"

Date of Birth: 10/23/2001

Hometown: Dakar, Senegal

Previous Club: Wake Forest University

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Major League Soccer Stories from December 19, 2023


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