Michigan State’s Giuseppe Barone Drafted by Montréal in MLS SuperDraft
1/21/2021 6:28:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The midfielder will forgo his senior season at MSU.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State midfielder Giuseppe Barone was drafted in the third round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft Thursday, taken as the 63rd overall pick by the Club de Football Montréal (formerly known as the Montréal Impact).
"First off, I am really happy for Giuseppe and his family. He has put in a lot of work and has had a great career at Michigan State," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "Certainly, it was a little difficult at the end with injuries, that is probably why he dropped a little bit, but I think that Montréal is getting a steal. Giuseppe's upside is huge; when healthy, he is definitely an MLS caliber player."
Barone, who hails from Kentwood, Michigan, played only one game during the 2019 season before a season-ending injury. During his stellar Michigan State career, he scored seven goals with 15 assists for 31 points. He started 55 games during his time at MSU. During the Spartans' 2018 run to the College Cup, he earned both All-American and Big Ten Midfielder of the Year honors.
"Giuseppe gets to play for someone who's a world-class player, in Thierry Henry. We have had experience where Ken Krolicki has gone in there and started, who was a former teammate of Giuseppe's. They play a good style of soccer that I think will fit Giuseppe as well," Rensing added.
Michigan State continued its long tradition of success in the MLS draft. The Spartans have now had players drafted for four-straight seasons. Barone was one of 11 Big Ten players drafted in the three-round 2021 draft.
Last season, MSU had two players take on the first day of the draft. Patrick Nielsen was the 23rd overall pick, drafted by Atlanta United. Michael Wetungu was the 46th overall pick, taken in the second round by Real Salt Lake. In 2019, 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.
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.
Barone was one of 11 Big Ten players drafted in the three-round 2021 draft.
"First off, I am really happy for Giuseppe and his family. He has put in a lot of work and has had a great career at Michigan State," MSU head coach Damon Rensing said. "Certainly, it was a little difficult at the end with injuries, that is probably why he dropped a little bit, but I think that Montréal is getting a steal. Giuseppe's upside is huge; when healthy, he is definitely an MLS caliber player."
Barone, who hails from Kentwood, Michigan, played only one game during the 2019 season before a season-ending injury. During his stellar Michigan State career, he scored seven goals with 15 assists for 31 points. He started 55 games during his time at MSU. During the Spartans' 2018 run to the College Cup, he earned both All-American and Big Ten Midfielder of the Year honors.
"Giuseppe gets to play for someone who's a world-class player, in Thierry Henry. We have had experience where Ken Krolicki has gone in there and started, who was a former teammate of Giuseppe's. They play a good style of soccer that I think will fit Giuseppe as well," Rensing added.
Michigan State continued its long tradition of success in the MLS draft. The Spartans have now had players drafted for four-straight seasons. Barone was one of 11 Big Ten players drafted in the three-round 2021 draft.
Last season, MSU had two players take on the first day of the draft. Patrick Nielsen was the 23rd overall pick, drafted by Atlanta United. Michael Wetungu was the 46th overall pick, taken in the second round by Real Salt Lake. In 2019, 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.
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.
Barone was one of 11 Big Ten players drafted in the three-round 2021 draft.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerDamon Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 29 2025
Monday, September 29
Spartans All-Access | Keeper of the Turf
Thursday, November 14
Playing Out His Dream | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, October 31
Coach Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Oct. 14 2024
Monday, October 14