The University of Akron Athletics
Radjen Selected by Houston in Round Two of MLS SuperDraft
January 13 | Men's Soccer
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LOS ANGELES, Calif. - University of Akron men's soccer senior Danilo Radjen (Broadview Heights, Ohio) capped a stellar collegiate career with his selection in the MLS SuperDraft by the Houston Dynamo with the 14th selection of the second round (36th overall) on Friday, Jan. 13.
"I am really happy for Danilo," Akron head coach Jared Embick commented. "He has had a great career and has been rewarded for what he has done in college. He is a tremendous player and an outstanding young man. I couldn't be more proud of how he represented our program over the years. I look forward to his MLS career."
"I am grateful to Houston for drafting me and for my two and a half years at Akron which have prepared me for this opportunity," said Radjen on his selection by Houston. "Go Zips!"
A two-year starter for the Zips, Radjen started 29 of the 30 games in which he appeared in for Akron, including 14 starts this past season. He helped spark a Zips' defensive unit that has posted 20 shutouts over the last two campaigns, including 11 this fall.
Radjen became the 20th Zip to be drafted during the MLS SuperDraft and joined teammate Jonathan Lewis (Plantation, Fla.), who was selected No. 3 overall by New York City FC in the first round, the highest-rated selection since Darren Mattocks was selected No. 2 overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. Akron had a league record five selections in the first eight picks in 2011 following the Zips' national championship season.
The University of Akron men's soccer program, which owns the highest winning percentage in the nation since 2007, has developed into a perennial contender for the NCAA title since capturing the school's first team national championship in any sport in 2010. While incorporating a style of play that is attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball, the Zips reached the NCAA final in 2009 and 2010 while advancing to the College Cup in 2015.
Additionally, developing players for the next level has become commonplace for the Akron staff as now 30 Zips have gone on to play professionally either in Major League Soccer, USL or overseas since 2006, including No. 1 overall pick Steve Zakuani in 2009, and No. 2 overall picks Darlington Nagbe in 2011 and Darren Mattocks in 2012. Nagbe was part of a draft class that set MLS draft day records for most players drafted from a single school in the first round (5) and overall (8).
