Sounders FC selects two players in second day of 2016 MLS SuperDraft

SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today selected University of Nebraska Omaha midfielder Emir Alihodzic with the 13^th pick of the Third Round (54^th overall) in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. The club then added Old Dominion defender Michael Nelson with the 15^th selection in the Fourth Round (76^th overall).

“We are happy with both of today’s selections and look forward to bringing them into preseason camp,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “When you look at this draft class as a whole – combining today’s selections with the players drafted last week – we’ve added four players who can come in and compete for their place on the squad, whether it’s as a First Team player or with S2.”

Alihodzic, 22, was an NSCAA Third Team All-West Region selection after tallying four goals, including two game-winners, and two assists in 16 appearances as a senior. The St. Louis native started 60 of 65 appearances for the Mavericks in his collegiate career, twice receiving All-Summit League Second Team honors, in addition to being a 2014 Academic All-Summit League selection.

Nelson, 21, earned First Team All-Conference USA and NSCAA First Team All-Southwest Region honors in his senior season in 2015. After playing his freshman season at North Carolina State in 2012, Nelson transferred to Old Dominion, where he registered four goals and four assists in 54 career appearances (53 starts) for the Monarchs from 2013-2015.

The Third and Fourth Rounds of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft took place via a teleconference call Tuesday. The First and Second Rounds were held last Thursday, January 14 in Baltimore, Maryland. Sounders FC took Cal State Dominguez Hills defender Tony Alfaro with the 27^th overall pick and Duke midfielder Zach Mathers with the 35^th overall pick in the Second Round.

Name: Emir Alihodzic
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Born: September 2, 1993
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected with the 13^th pick in the Third Round (54^th overall) in 2016 MLS SuperDraft

Name: Michael Nelson
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Born: August 8, 1994
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected with the 16^th pick in the Fourth Round (77^th overall) in 2016 MLS SuperDraft