MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Selects Ryen Jiba and Emmanuel Iwe in 2023 MLS SuperDraft

Published on December 21, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- Minnesota United selected defender Ryen Jiba from Union Omaha with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. MNUFC then selected midfielder Emmanuel Iwe with the 48th overall pick in the second round. MNUFC traded away its third round SuperDraft selection in the acquisition of Cameron Dunbar from the LA Galaxy.

Jiba, born in South Sudan played collegiate soccer at Salt Lake Community College where he scored 25 goals and tallied 20 assists from 2019-2021, leading his team to an NJCAA National Championship in 2021. Jiba was named the 2019 NJCAA Region 18 Player of the Year, earning USYS Best XI honors in the same year. Following his collegiate career, Jiba would briefly play for the USL League Two side, Park City Red Wolves where he made one appearance and scored one goal. Loons fans may be familiar with Jiba as he currently plays for Union Omaha - the Loons 2022 U.S. Open Cup opponent - in USL League One. Signed by Union Omaha in February of 2022, Jiba made 28 appearances, notching three assists.

With their second-round selection, the Loons selected another familiar face in MLS Next Pro standout, Emmanuel Iwe. Iwe was eligible for selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft as he played collegiate soccer - at St. Cloud State University - within 12 months of the draft.

Prior to being drafted by the Loon, Iwe joined MNUFC2 after a season at St. Cloud State University and was the first Minnesota native to be signed by MNUFC2. During the 2022 season, the midfielder made 16 appearances (13 starts), scoring two goals and providing two assists. His season ended short in August when he had successful ligament reparative surgery on his right foot. A graduate from St. Louis Park High School, Iwe played over 1,300 minutes at St. Cloud and finished the 2021 year with six goals and four assists. In his youth career, Iwe played with Joy of the People, a local Twin Cities soccer academy.

VITALS

Emmanuel Iwe

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 152

Date of Birth: 9/12/2000

Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria

Hometown: St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Previous Club: St. Cloud University

Acquired: 3/3/2022

VITALS

Ryen Jiba

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 155

Date of Birth: 4/29/2001

Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

Birthplace: South Sudan

Previous Club: Union Omaha

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Major League Soccer Stories from December 21, 2022


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