Atlanta United adds players from Clemson, Maryland

Atlanta United fans cheer before an MLS game against at Columbus Crew at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, in Atlanta.  BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

Credit: Branden Camp

Credit: Branden Camp

Atlanta United fans cheer before an MLS game against at Columbus Crew at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, in Atlanta. BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

With their first and second picks in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft, Atlanta United selected Clemson midfielder Oliver Shannon and Maryland forward Gordon Wild.

Shannon, a native of Liverpool, Eng., scored 13 goals and notched 17 assists in four seasons with the Tigers. Shannon thanked his mom, who he said he lost two years ago to a brain tumor.

Wild, a native of Leonberg, Germany, scored 38 goals in three seasons. He started at South Carolina-Upstate before transferring to the Terps.

The picks were the 36th and 37th overall.

With the 14th pick in the SuperDraft, Atlanta United selected Notre Dame forward Jon Gallagher. The native or Ireland scored 39 goals in four years with the Fighting Irish. Among his accolades are: second-team All-American in 2017, ACC offensive player of the year in 2016, ACC All-Freshman team in 2016.

Technical director Carlos Bocanegra said they liked Gallagher’s versatility, intelligence and tactical acumen.

The Five Stripes last year were the first expansion team since Seattle in 2009 to make the playoffs. They were eliminated by Columbus in a penalty kick shootout.