Jan. 13, 2017
by Tony Jones
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — University of Notre Dame men’s soccer senior center back Brandon Aubrey became the latest Irish standout to embark on a professional soccer career, as he was selected 21st overall by 2016 MLS Cup runner-up Toronto FC on Friday during the first round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft in Los Angeles.
Aubrey is the third Notre Dame player to be drafted by Toronto FC in the history of the MLS SuperDraft, joining Aaron Maund (12th overall in 2012) and Joseph Lapira (35th overall, 2008). Former Notre Dame standout defender Justin Morrow, who was a San Jose Earthquakes second round selection (28th overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, scored five goals and added four assists as a key starter for Toronto FC in its run to the MLS Cup Final in 2016.
That @torontofc red looks good on you, @Brandon_Aubrey. #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/lIzPTatPNU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 13, 2017
The selection of Aubrey extended the total number of Notre Dame MLS SuperDraft picks to 27 since 2004, including 21 players that have been chosen during the draft’s opening two rounds (ninth in the first round).
A National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar All-America first team and NSCAA All-America third team choice, Aubrey enjoyed a breakout season as a central defender for Notre Dame in 2016, finishing second on the Irish roster with a career-high nine goals and 19 points in 21 starts. Aubrey’s goal and point totals were both the highest recorded by a defender under head coach Bobby Clark (since 2001), and ranked among the top five players overall in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Aubrey delivered three game-winning goals for Notre Dame, and added the program’s first hat trick since 2012 after scoring three of the four Irish goals in a 4-1 win over then No. 15 Virginia Tech on Sept. 9.
Rated the top ranked upperclassman in NCAA Division I soccer in TopDrawerSoccer’s Midseason Men’s National Top 100 (ninth in end of season rankings), as well as a member of the 2016 TDS Men’s Division I Best XI first team, Aubrey concluded his Notre Dame career with 15 goals and four assists (34 points) in 76 match appearances (63 starts) split between central midfield and center back. After moving full-time to the Irish back line in 2014, Aubrey connected on 14 of his 15 career goals, added all four assists, accounted for five game-winning goals, was a perfect 5-for-5 converting penalty kicks, and helped preside over 24 team clean sheets.
The third and fourth rounds of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft will be held on Jan. 17 (Tuesday), with team selections being made via conference call beginning at 2 p.m. (ET).
Welcome to the club @Brandon_Aubrey!
Read his Bio ↑ https://t.co/ncu61FaPaa pic.twitter.com/fTdxbJInEv
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) January 13, 2017
Notre Dame All-Time MLS Draft Selections (since 1997)
2017 SuperDraft
Brandon Aubrey (D)
Toronto FC – First Round – 21st overall selection
2016 SuperDraft
Max Lachowecki (D)
Real Salt Lake – Second Round – 25th overall selection
Patrick Hodan (M)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 28th overall selection
2015 SuperDraft
Nick Besler (M)
Portland Timbers – First Round – 5th overall selection
2014 SuperDraft
Grant Van De Casteele (D)
Colorado Rapids – First Round – 19th overall selection
Harrison Shipp (F)
Was not drafted because he signed with the Chicago Fire as a Homegrown Player
2013 SuperDraft
Ryan Finley (F)
Columbus Crew – First Round – 9th overall selection
Dillon Powers (M)
Colorado Rapids – First Round – 11th overall selection
2013 Supplemental Draft
Adam Mena (M)
Vancouver Whitecaps – First Round – 10th overall selection
Michael Rose (M)
Vancouver Whitecaps – First Round – 11th overall selection
2012 SuperDraft
Aaron Maund (D)
Toronto FC – First Round – 12th overall selection
Brendan King (M)
Portland Timbers -Second Round – 27th overall selection
2012 Supplemental Draft
Greg Klazura (D)
Vancouver Whitecaps – Second Round – 21st overall selection
2011 SuperDraft
Jeb Brovsky (F/M)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Second Round – 19th overall selection
Bilal Duckett (D)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC -Third Round – 37th overall selection
Steven Perry (F)
New England Revolution -Third Round – 39th overall selection
2011 Supplemental Draft
Philip Tuttle (G)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 33rd overall selection
2010 SuperDraft
Bright Dike (F)
Columbus Crew – First Round – 12th overall selection
Michael Thomas (M)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 19th overall selection
Justin Morrow (D)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 28th overall selection
2009 SuperDraft
Matt Besler (D)
Kansas City Wizards – First Round – 8th overall selection
Jack Traynor (D)
New York Red Bulls – Second Round – 29th overall selection
2008 SuperDraft
Ryan Miller (D)
Columbus Crew – Third Round – 31st overall selection
Joseph Lapira (F)
Toronto FC – Third Round – 35th overall selection
2007 SuperDraft
Greg Dalby (M)
Colorado Rapids – Second Round – 17th overall selection
Nate Norman (M)
Chicago Fire – Second Round – 21st overall selection
2005 SuperDraft
Jack Stewart (D)
Chicago Fire – First Round – 10th overall selection
Kevin Goldthwaite (M/D)
San Jose Earthquake – Second Round – 17th overall selection
Chris Sawyer (G)
Kansas City Wizards – Second Round – 24th overall selection
2004 SuperDraft
Kevin Richards (D)
Colorado Rapids – Fourth Round – 35th overall selection
Justin Detter (M/F)
Kansas City Wizards – Fifth Round – 47th overall selection
1999 Supplemental Draft
Ryan Turner (F)
Kansas City – Second Round – 14th overall selection
1997 Supplemental Draft
Dan Stebbins (F)
Dallas – First Round – 4th overall selection
–ND–
Tony Jones, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since 2012 and coordinates all media efforts for the Notre Dame softball and men’s soccer programs. A native of Jamestown, New York, Jones is a 2011 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, and prior to arriving at Notre Dame held positions at the University of Louisiana Monroe and with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills.