Jan. 14, 2010
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Notre Dame’s Bright Dike, Justin Morrow and Michael Thomas were selected in Thursday’s Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft. Dike went to the Columbus Crew in the first round (12th overall selection), while the San Jose Earthquakes took both Thomas (19th overall selection) and Morrow (28th overall selection) in the second round.
Dike (Edmond, Okla.), a forward, was named the 2009 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year. The fifth-year senior played in all 23 matches during the 2009 campaign and led the Fighting Irish with 11 goals and 26 points. Dike was a two-time all-BIG EAST first-team selection and a two-time All-Great Lakes Region honoree. For his career, he played in 86 matches and notched 66 points on 27 goals and 12 assists.
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Thomas (Olathe, Kan.), a central midfielder, earned first-team all-BIG EAST accolades this season after being a second-team pick in 2008. He also is a two-time All-Great Lakes Region selection. Thomas started every game this past season and notched a team-high six assists along with scoring six goals. The two-time team captain started 81 of the 83 career matches in which he played with the Fighting Irish and tallied 51 points on 19 goals and 13 assists. Thomas was named a third-team Academic All-American in December.
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Morrow (Cleveland, Ohio) made the switch from midfield to left back this season. He started every match in 2009 and tallied five points on two goals and one assist en route to copping a second-team all-BIG EAST citation. Morrow, a team captain during his senior season, earned a start in 64 of the 89 career games he played at Notre Dame and registered 21 points on seven goals and seven assists.
Oregon State forward Danny Mwanga was selected by the Philadelphia Union with the first overall selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The draft consisted of four rounds and 64 total picks.
The three MLS SuperDraft picks ties for the most in Notre Dame history. The Irish also had three players picked during the 2005 draft (Jack Stewart, Kevin Goldthwaite, Chris Sawyer). Notre Dame has had 14 MLS SuperDraft picks during the nine-year tenure of head coach Bobby Clark.
Notre Dame MLS Draft Selections
1997 Supplemental Draft
Dan StebbinsDallas - First Round - 4th overall selection
1999 Supplemental Draft
Ryan TurnerKansas City - Second Round - 14th overall selection
2004 SuperDraft
Kevin RichardsColorado Rapids - Fourth Round - 35th overall selection
Justin DetterKansas City Wizards - Fifth Round - 47th overall selection
2005 SuperDraft
Jack StewartChicago Fire - First Round - 10th overall selection
Kevin GoldthwaiteSan Jose Earthquake - Second Round - 17th overall selection
Chris SawyerKansas City Wizards - Second Round - 24th overall selection
2007 SuperDraft
Greg DalbyColorado Rapids - Second Round - 17th overall selection
Nate NormanChicago Fire - Second Round - 21st overall selection
2008 SuperDraft
Ryan MillerColumbus Crew - Third Round - 31st overall selection
Joseph LapiraToronto FC - Third Round - 35th overall selection
2009 SuperDraft
Matt BeslerKansas City Wizards - First Round - 8th overall selection
Jack TraynorNew York Red Bulls - Second Round - 29th overall selection
2010 SuperDraft
Bright DikeColumbus Crew - First Round - 12th overall selection
Michael ThomasSan Jose Earthquakes - Second Round - 19th overall selection
Justin MorrowSan Jose Earthquakes - Second Round - 28th overall selection
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