Indiana University Athletics
Nashville SC Selects Maher Second Overall in 2020 MLS SuperDraft
1/9/2020 4:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Waever Picked 51st by Toronto FC
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana men's soccer defender Jack Maher was selected second overall by Nashville SC, an expansion franchise, in the opening round of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. Defender Simon Waever was picked with 25th pick in the second round (51st overall).
Maher and Waever became the 49th and 50th Hoosiers selected in the MLS Draft since the league's inception in 1996. Maher is the 13th player from Indiana selected in the first round during the modern MLS SuperDraft era (2000).
The Hoosiers have now produced six draft picks in the last three MLS SuperDrafts. Griffin Dorsey (Toronto FC), Rece Buckmaster (New York Red Bulls), and Francesco Moore (Portland Timbers) were all chosen in the 2019 Draft. Mason Toye (Minnesota United FC) was selected in 2018.
Indiana has also secured five Homegrown Player contracts since the 2018 season and saw Andrew Gutman sign a professional contract with Celtic F.C. in 2019. The 12 total professional contracts signed by Indiana players is the most in the NCAA during the three-year stretch, edging the 11 signed by Wake Forest players.
Maher becomes the second Hoosier selected second overall in the modern MLS SuperDraft Era, joining Nick Garcia (second in 2000 by Kansas City Wizards). Current assistant coach Danny O'Rourke (fourth in 2005 by the San Jose Earthquakes) gives the Hoosiers three players selected in the top-5 of the draft. Maher also joins Toye ('17) and Dorsey ('18) as top-10 picks. Indiana's streak of three-straight seasons with a top-10 draftee ties for the longest active streak in the NCAA.
Just before the turn of the calendar, Maher signed a Generation adidas deal with Major League Soccer, foregoing his final two seasons of eligibility with the Hoosiers. Generation adidas is a joint program between MLS and adidas which sees a handful of top collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players signed by MLS to Generation adidas contracts and made available in the SuperDraft. Generation adidas has struck a deal with an Indiana men's soccer player in three-consecutive seasons, the second-longest active streak in the NCAA.
Maher, a 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's Second Team All-American, was named United Soccer Coaches All-North Region, a unanimous first team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Big Ten Tournament, and All-Big Ten Tournament Team laurels following the 2019 season.
The Naperville, Ill., native anchored an Indiana defense that conceded 16 goals in 22 matches, including just one tally in the 2019 postseason run. Maher tallied 10 points (three goals, four assists) in 22 starts for the Hoosiers. He also netted two game-winning tallies this season, a golden goal against UCLA and a 28th minute goal from the spot at Michigan State.
Waever, a graduate transfer from Evansville, helped to solidify a defensive back line that allowed 16 goals in 22 matches, including just one tally in the 2019 postseason run. He tallied four assists on the season out of the defensive half. Waever started each of his 21 games played in his lone season as a Hoosier.
The 2020 MLS SuperDraft will continue with the third and fourth rounds on Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. ET via conference call.
@IndianaMSOC
For all the latest on Indiana University men's soccer, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaMSOC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Maher and Waever became the 49th and 50th Hoosiers selected in the MLS Draft since the league's inception in 1996. Maher is the 13th player from Indiana selected in the first round during the modern MLS SuperDraft era (2000).
The Hoosiers have now produced six draft picks in the last three MLS SuperDrafts. Griffin Dorsey (Toronto FC), Rece Buckmaster (New York Red Bulls), and Francesco Moore (Portland Timbers) were all chosen in the 2019 Draft. Mason Toye (Minnesota United FC) was selected in 2018.
Indiana has also secured five Homegrown Player contracts since the 2018 season and saw Andrew Gutman sign a professional contract with Celtic F.C. in 2019. The 12 total professional contracts signed by Indiana players is the most in the NCAA during the three-year stretch, edging the 11 signed by Wake Forest players.
Maher becomes the second Hoosier selected second overall in the modern MLS SuperDraft Era, joining Nick Garcia (second in 2000 by Kansas City Wizards). Current assistant coach Danny O'Rourke (fourth in 2005 by the San Jose Earthquakes) gives the Hoosiers three players selected in the top-5 of the draft. Maher also joins Toye ('17) and Dorsey ('18) as top-10 picks. Indiana's streak of three-straight seasons with a top-10 draftee ties for the longest active streak in the NCAA.
Just before the turn of the calendar, Maher signed a Generation adidas deal with Major League Soccer, foregoing his final two seasons of eligibility with the Hoosiers. Generation adidas is a joint program between MLS and adidas which sees a handful of top collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players signed by MLS to Generation adidas contracts and made available in the SuperDraft. Generation adidas has struck a deal with an Indiana men's soccer player in three-consecutive seasons, the second-longest active streak in the NCAA.
Maher, a 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's Second Team All-American, was named United Soccer Coaches All-North Region, a unanimous first team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Big Ten Tournament, and All-Big Ten Tournament Team laurels following the 2019 season.
The Naperville, Ill., native anchored an Indiana defense that conceded 16 goals in 22 matches, including just one tally in the 2019 postseason run. Maher tallied 10 points (three goals, four assists) in 22 starts for the Hoosiers. He also netted two game-winning tallies this season, a golden goal against UCLA and a 28th minute goal from the spot at Michigan State.
Waever, a graduate transfer from Evansville, helped to solidify a defensive back line that allowed 16 goals in 22 matches, including just one tally in the 2019 postseason run. He tallied four assists on the season out of the defensive half. Waever started each of his 21 games played in his lone season as a Hoosier.
The 2020 MLS SuperDraft will continue with the third and fourth rounds on Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. ET via conference call.
@IndianaMSOC
For all the latest on Indiana University men's soccer, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaMSOC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
Players Mentioned
Defender/Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder/Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
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