The University of Akron Athletics

Budler Earns Invitation to 2025 MLS College Showcase
December 09 | Men's Soccer
2025 MLS COLLEGE SHOWCASE RELEASE
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Major League Soccer today announced the 45 invitees for the 2025 MLS College Showcase, which includes University of Akron redshirt senior Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.). The four-day event will take place from December 10-13 in Mesa, Ariz., and will give technical staffs from each MLS club an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation ahead of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. ET.
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The 2025 adidas MLS College Showcase is a closed-door scouting event officially sanctioned by the NCAA. The eligible player list for the 2026 MLS SuperDraft will be announced at a later date following the 2025 MLS College Showcase.
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Budler earned First-Team United Soccer Coaches All-Region laurels for the second time after collecting Third-Team All-America accolades in 2024.
A 2025 First-Team All-BIG EAST selection, Budler started all 21 games for Akron this season en route to recording an NCAA-best 13 shutouts. He ranks sixth in the NCAA in the nation in goalie minutes played (1,890:00) and 14th in goals against average (0.714).
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The 2025 and 2024 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Budler recorded 47 saves this season in net. He ranked first in the BIG EAST Conference in goals against average (0.710) and shutouts (13) and fourth in save percentage (.758).
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Budler is rated first among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (36), third in goalie minutes played (6,843.85), 15th in goals against average (.894), 21st in saves (182) and 25th in games played (77).
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NEW YORK, N.Y. - Major League Soccer today announced the 45 invitees for the 2025 MLS College Showcase, which includes University of Akron redshirt senior Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.). The four-day event will take place from December 10-13 in Mesa, Ariz., and will give technical staffs from each MLS club an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation ahead of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. ET.
Â
The 2025 adidas MLS College Showcase is a closed-door scouting event officially sanctioned by the NCAA. The eligible player list for the 2026 MLS SuperDraft will be announced at a later date following the 2025 MLS College Showcase.
Â
Budler earned First-Team United Soccer Coaches All-Region laurels for the second time after collecting Third-Team All-America accolades in 2024.
A 2025 First-Team All-BIG EAST selection, Budler started all 21 games for Akron this season en route to recording an NCAA-best 13 shutouts. He ranks sixth in the NCAA in the nation in goalie minutes played (1,890:00) and 14th in goals against average (0.714).
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The 2025 and 2024 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Budler recorded 47 saves this season in net. He ranked first in the BIG EAST Conference in goals against average (0.710) and shutouts (13) and fourth in save percentage (.758).
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Budler is rated first among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (36), third in goalie minutes played (6,843.85), 15th in goals against average (.894), 21st in saves (182) and 25th in games played (77).
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Players Mentioned
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Saint Louis (NCAA Elite 8) - 12/6/25
Saturday, December 06
2025 NCAA Men's Soccer Third Round Post-Game Press Conference (Duke) - 11/30/25
Monday, December 01
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Duke (NCAA Third Round) - 11/30/25
Monday, December 01
2025 NCAA Men's Soccer Second Round Post-Game Press Conference Notre Dame Coach Riley - 11/23/25
Sunday, November 23











