Jan. 19, 2018
by Tony Jones
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame men’s soccer senior forward Jon Gallagher has joined the ranks of Irish standouts to be drafted into MLS. Gallagher was selected as the 14th overall pick (first round) by Atlanta United FC on Friday at the 2018 MLS SuperDraft in Orlando, Florida.
With the No. 14 overall pick in the 2018 @MLS SuperDraft, #ATLUTD selects @JonGallagher96
Welcome, Jon! pic.twitter.com/5c8gLBSnxp
– Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) January 19, 2018
The selection of Gallagher extended the total number of Notre Dame MLS SuperDraft picks to 28 since 2004, including 22 players that have been chosen during the draft’s opening two rounds (10 in the first round). Gallagher is the first Irish player to be selected by Atlanta United, as the club prepares to enter its second MLS season in 2018.
Teammates ?️âŔÅ’️@JulianGressel passes on the rookie torch! pic.twitter.com/SzvkkpYCnY
– Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) January 19, 2018
Gallagher became the 35th overall All-America selection in Notre Dame program history in 2017, and the 18th to be bestowed the accolade by United Soccer Coaches. He is the sixth Irish forward to be recognized by United Soccer Coaches as an All-American since 1989, joining Randy Morris (1989 third team), Justin Detter (2003 third team), Joseph Lapira (2006 and 2007 first team), Ryan Finley (2012 first team) and Harrison Shipp (2013 first team).
Tabbed as a 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-South Region First-Team performer, Gallagher was selected to the All-ACC First Team for the second straight season after leading the ACC with 92 shots (4.60 shots per game). He ranked second in the conference with 13 goals and third with 28 points (13 goals and two assists) as a senior in 2017, and tied for second in the ACC with five game-winning goals this season.
Named to the ACC All-Tournament team after scoring three goals (two game-winners) in tournament play, Gallagher was also chosen as the ACC Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions, Sept. 11 and Oct. 10. He added College Soccer News National Team of the Week accolades on each of those two instances.
Gallagher finished his Notre Dame career ranked sixth in goals (39) and ninth in points (93) in program history over 84 games played (63 starts). He scored 36 goals over his final three seasons, the most in that stretch by any Irish player since 2006 Hermann Trophy winner Lapira tallied 38 goals from 2005-07.
The third and fourth rounds of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft will be held on Jan. 21 (Sunday), with team selections being made via conference call beginning at 2 p.m. (ET).
Notre Dame All-Time MLS Draft Selections (since 1997)
2018 SuperDraft
Jon Gallagher (F)
Atlanta United FC – First Round – 14th overall selection
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
Vince Cicciarelli (F)
Columbus Crew – Third Round – 60th 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, men’s soccer and swimming and diving 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.