Nielsen and Wetungu Selected on Day One of MLS SuperDraft
1/9/2020 6:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Nielsen was taken in the first round, while Wetungu was drafted in the second.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Two former Michigan State men's soccer players were drafted on the first day of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday. Junior defender Patrick Nielsen was the 23rd overall pick, drafted by Atlanta United. Senior defender Michael Wetungu was the 46th overall pick, taken in the second round by Real Salt Lake.
"We at MSU soccer are extremely, excited, proud and happy for both Patrick, Michael and their families! Michael and Patrick have separated themselves as two of the top center backs in the country while at MSU over the past four and two years, respectively. They have both done this with class and professionalism. I have no doubt these two will make Michigan State Soccer proud and I can't wait to follow them in the MLS," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said.Â
This is the second-straight season that MSU has had at least two players drafted. Last season, the Spartans had two players drafted in the first round in forwards DeJuan Jones (11th pick - New England Revolution) and Ryan Sierakowski (23rd pick - Portland Timbers). Goalkeeper Jimmy Hague was the sixth pick of the second round (30th overall), taken by FC Cincinnati. Hague saw a familiar face when he joined Cincinnati with former Spartan great Fatai Alashe on the roster.Â
In 2018, Ken Krolicki was the first Spartan drafted since defender Zach Carroll in 2016 when he was chosen as the 53rd overall pick, chosen as the seventh player in the third round. In 2014, three Spartans signed to play for MLS with Fatai Alashe being chosen fourth overall, the highest ever for MSU. Jay Chapman a signed a homegrown contract with Toronto FC, while Adam Montague was taken in the third round by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Nielsen, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, earned two-straight All-Big Ten honors after capturing first-team honors last season. He also earned All-Region honors during 2018 during the Spartans' run to the NCAA College Cup. The defender played two seasons at Michigan State after transferring from Cincinnati. Nielsen, who battled injury during the 2019 season, returned to play during Big Ten action, playing in all eight league contests.Â
"I have really enjoyed coaching and working with Patrick over the last two years. Not only has he been a great player, but he has been a captain and good person off the field. Atlanta is a great fit for Patrick and it seemed like Atlanta was very interested in Patrick from the start," Rensing said. "They have been one of the top teams in the league the past few years, but are also losing a couple defenders. Patrick is a seasoned college player with all the tools and an exceptional left foot to make the jump to MLS. Atlanta also does a good job of developing players with Atlanta United 2, so I think this is a great fit both Patrick and Atlanta. We wish Patrick and his family all the best!"
Wetungu, who hails from Rochester Hills, Michigan, also endured an injury-plagued season, including a separated shoulder. He played in 17 games, starting 12. Wetungu scored his only goal of the season against Ohio State on Oct. 19. He started 68 games during his four-year MSU career.
"Michael Wetungu has started all four years at Michigan State. It has been great to see Michael evolve as a starter in the B1G and mature to a dominate force on the field. Since the moment he stepped on MSU's campus in 2016 as a freshman, he has been great to work with as a coach and he has been a great teammate," Rensing added "Real Salt lake is getting an athletic defender who has a very good range of pass. He's competitive and coachable as well. Similar to Atlanta United and Patrick, RSL does a good job of developing their players with Real Monarchs, who happened to be coached by a former MLS center back! We wish Michael and his family all the best!"
Nielsen was one of three Big Ten players drafted in the first round. Indiana's Jack Maher was the overall second pick, taken by Nashville, while Penn State's Aaron Molloy was the 16th pick by Portland.
The third and fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft will be held via conference call on Monday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m.
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"We at MSU soccer are extremely, excited, proud and happy for both Patrick, Michael and their families! Michael and Patrick have separated themselves as two of the top center backs in the country while at MSU over the past four and two years, respectively. They have both done this with class and professionalism. I have no doubt these two will make Michigan State Soccer proud and I can't wait to follow them in the MLS," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said.Â
This is the second-straight season that MSU has had at least two players drafted. Last season, the Spartans had two players drafted in the first round in forwards DeJuan Jones (11th pick - New England Revolution) and Ryan Sierakowski (23rd pick - Portland Timbers). Goalkeeper Jimmy Hague was the sixth pick of the second round (30th overall), taken by FC Cincinnati. Hague saw a familiar face when he joined Cincinnati with former Spartan great Fatai Alashe on the roster.Â
In 2018, Ken Krolicki was the first Spartan drafted since defender Zach Carroll in 2016 when he was chosen as the 53rd overall pick, chosen as the seventh player in the third round. In 2014, three Spartans signed to play for MLS with Fatai Alashe being chosen fourth overall, the highest ever for MSU. Jay Chapman a signed a homegrown contract with Toronto FC, while Adam Montague was taken in the third round by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Nielsen, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, earned two-straight All-Big Ten honors after capturing first-team honors last season. He also earned All-Region honors during 2018 during the Spartans' run to the NCAA College Cup. The defender played two seasons at Michigan State after transferring from Cincinnati. Nielsen, who battled injury during the 2019 season, returned to play during Big Ten action, playing in all eight league contests.Â
"I have really enjoyed coaching and working with Patrick over the last two years. Not only has he been a great player, but he has been a captain and good person off the field. Atlanta is a great fit for Patrick and it seemed like Atlanta was very interested in Patrick from the start," Rensing said. "They have been one of the top teams in the league the past few years, but are also losing a couple defenders. Patrick is a seasoned college player with all the tools and an exceptional left foot to make the jump to MLS. Atlanta also does a good job of developing players with Atlanta United 2, so I think this is a great fit both Patrick and Atlanta. We wish Patrick and his family all the best!"
Wetungu, who hails from Rochester Hills, Michigan, also endured an injury-plagued season, including a separated shoulder. He played in 17 games, starting 12. Wetungu scored his only goal of the season against Ohio State on Oct. 19. He started 68 games during his four-year MSU career.
"Michael Wetungu has started all four years at Michigan State. It has been great to see Michael evolve as a starter in the B1G and mature to a dominate force on the field. Since the moment he stepped on MSU's campus in 2016 as a freshman, he has been great to work with as a coach and he has been a great teammate," Rensing added "Real Salt lake is getting an athletic defender who has a very good range of pass. He's competitive and coachable as well. Similar to Atlanta United and Patrick, RSL does a good job of developing their players with Real Monarchs, who happened to be coached by a former MLS center back! We wish Michael and his family all the best!"
Nielsen was one of three Big Ten players drafted in the first round. Indiana's Jack Maher was the overall second pick, taken by Nashville, while Penn State's Aaron Molloy was the 16th pick by Portland.
The third and fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft will be held via conference call on Monday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m.
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