Atlanta United selected Notre Dame midfielder/forward Jon Gallagher with the 14th pick in Friday’s MLS SuperDraft.
Gallagher, a native of Ireland, scored 39 goals and notched 15 assists in four years with the 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.
“I’d like to thank Atlanta United for taking a chance on me,” Gallagher, who is primarily right-footed, said. “This is probably the greatest day of my life, but at the same time realizing that it’s just the beginning.”
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.
The team maintained the core of the group that scored the second-most goals (70) in the league while posting the second-biggest goal difference (plus-30). In addition, it traded for midfielder Darlington Nage, added defenders Franco Escobar and Jose Hernandez, and is reportedly on the verge of acquiring midfielder Ezequiel Barco.
Atlanta United participated in its first SuperDraft last year, selecting defender Miles Robinson with the second pick, Julian Gressel with the eighth pick, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu in the third round and goalkeeper Alex Kapp in the fourth round.
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