Sporting KC Selects MF Mikey Lopez in MLS SuperDraft
Published on January 17, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Sporting Kansas City selected 19-year-old midfielder Mikey Lopez out of the University of North Carolina with the 14thoverall selection in the first round ofThursday's 2013 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas in Indianapolis, Ind.
"He fits our ideal situation at the moment," Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said. "We have time that we can bring him along, which is a great thing. I think he has a place where he can grow and develop. We're excited about the pick."
A Generation adidas signing, Lopez has been added to Sporting Kansas City's roster and will occupy an off-budget roster spot. Generation adidas is a joint program between MLS and adidas that identifies top domestic underclassmen and youth national team players, while providing educational stipends for its professional players.
"It's a great team. I'm glad to be going to Sporting Kansas City," Lopez said. "I feel like I can do well with this team and fit in, and hopefully break into the lineup quickly. So I'm glad that I got chosen by them and that they feel the same way about me. It's a match made in heaven."
Lopez is an active member of the United States Under-20 Men's National Team and will join Sporting KC teammate Jon Kempin with the U.S. U-20 squad in Puebla, Mexico tonight for their training camp. Among the 20 players selected by head coach Tab Ramos for the camp, Lopez leads the roster with 17 caps at the U-20 level. He has appeared in international competitions including the 2012 Northern Ireland Milk Cup in July and the 2012 Marbella Cup in Spain in October.
In his two-year collegiate career at North Carolina, Lopez appeared in 46 games with five goals and five assists. He was named ACC Freshman of the Year in 2011 after helping the Tar Heels secure their second-ever NCAA national championship, and was named an NSCAA All-American this season.
MLSSoccer.com rated Lopez the top holding midfielder in this year's draft class in the midst of a strong showing at the MLS Combine last week. Lopez becomes the third North Carolina player drafted by Sporting KC in club history, along with current assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin and former defender Michael Harrington.
Following Thursday's SuperDraft, Sporting Kansas City will next participate in the four-round 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft via conference call on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Major League Soccer Stories from January 17, 2013
- Second-Round Picks Focus on Attack, Goalkeeping - New England Revolution
- MLS Announces 2012 Club and Executive Award Winners - MLS
- Farrell Humbled to be Top Pick, Eager for Next Step - New England Revolution
- Union Select Don Anding and Stephen Okai in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Philadelphia Union
- Crew Selects Two Players at 2013 MLS SuperDraft in Indianapolis - Columbus Crew SC
- Sounders FC Selects Two Players in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Seattle Sounders FC
- Sporting KC Selects MF Mikey Lopez in MLS SuperDraft - Sporting Kansas City
- Timbers Select Dylan Tucker-Gangnes in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Portland Timbers
- Impact Selects Four Players at 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Club de Foot Montreal
- Dynamo Select Jason Johnson and Jimmy Nealis in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Houston Dynamo FC
- Toronto FC Select Emery Welshman After a Pair of Deals - Toronto FC
- LA Galaxy Make Three Selections in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft - LA Galaxy
- New England Revolution Select Andrew Farrell with First Overall Selection in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - MLS
- Real Salt Lake Selects Two Players in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Real Salt Lake
- Revs Select Four at 2013 MLS SuperDraft - New England Revolution
- Tickets for D.C. United's Home Opener to Go on Sale Saturday - D.C. United
- FC Dallas Picks up Two Players in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - FC Dallas
- Colorado Rapids Select Three in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Colorado Rapids
- Chicago Fire Select Yazid Atouba Emane in Second Round of 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Chicago Fire FC
- San Jose Earthquakes Add Muller, Delgado in MLS SuperDraft - San Jose Earthquakes
- Whitecaps FC Select Striker/Wingers Manneh and Hurtado in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Red Bulls Select Midfielder Ian Christianson in 2013 MLS SuperDraft Second Round - Red Bull New York
- D.C. United Selects Maryland Defender Taylor Kemp with 17th Overall Pick in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - D.C. United
- Chivas USA Selects Midfielder Carlos Alvarez with Second-Overall Pick in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Sporting KC Introduces Ivy Funds as Club's First-Ever Jersey Sponsor - Sporting Kansas City
- Toronto FC Select Kyle Bekker with Third Overall Pick in 2013 MLS SuperDraft - Toronto FC
- Revs Draft Andrew Farrell with #1 Pick in MLS SuperDraft - New England Revolution
- Updated Selection Order Now Available for 2013 MLS SuperDraft - MLS
- Real Salt Lake Re-Signs Javier Morales - Real Salt Lake
- Rapids Sign Chilean Winger Kevin Harbottle - Colorado Rapids
- San Jose Earthquakes Acquire F Mike Fucito from Portland Timbers - San Jose Earthquakes
- Timbers Acquire Second-Round Pick in 2013 MLS SuperDraft from San Jose - Portland Timbers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
