CLEMSON, S.C. — Earlier today, Major League Soccer announced a list of 176 eligible players for the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Justin Malou, Philip Mayaka and Kimarni Smith are Clemson’s three eligible players for this year’s draft. Of the 176 players named by the MLS, 37 hail from the ACC.
The league also announced Mayaka as one of its Generation adidas signees this afternoon, making the sophomore midfielder the seventh Tiger to earn the coveted contract.
The full release by the MLS can be read below.
MLSsoccer.com
Three Generation adidas signings highlight a list of 176 eligible players for the MLS SuperDraft 2021 presented by adidas, it was announced Thursday.
The draft is set set for Jan. 21 at 2 pm ET with the first round streamed live on MLSsoccer.com, the MLS App, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pluto TV.
Expansion club Austin FC have the No. 1 overall pick. The draft order can be found here.
The Generation adidas class features Clemson University sophomore Philip Mayaka, a native of Nairobi, Kenya, who emigrated to the United States as a teenager. Mayaka’s breakout freshman season for Clemson included game-winners on his first two collegiate goals, eight assists, and starts in 20 of his 22 matches played.
The midfielder’s production in 2019 earned him ACC Freshman of the Year honors and honors as a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to college soccer’s top player. As a sophomore in 2020, Mayaka started nine of his 10 appearances and was named to the ACC All-Tournament team.
Wake Forest sophomore forward Calvin Harris, the son of former Sheffield United player Terry Harris, scored four goals and dished out two assists for the Demon Deacons in 2020 after a stellar 2019 freshman campaign that featured six goals, three assists, and 16 starts in 23 appearances to earn ACC All-Freshman Team honors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the English native returned to Hong Kong, which his family has called home since he was 10 years old.
Rounding out the Generation adidas class is Virginia Tech sophomore midfielder Daniel Pereira who started all 26 games across his two seasons for the Hokies, recording six career goals and assists. A native of Venezuela, Pereira and his family emigrated to the United States seeking asylum when Pereira was a teenager.
Players eligible for selection in MLS SuperDraft 2021 presented by adidas include college seniors, Generation adidas players and players who waived their college eligibility by signing to play in a domestic professional league since the conclusion of the 2019 college soccer season.
Following the MLS SuperDraft, Generation adidas players and select additional draftees will join their MLS clubs for the 2021 preseason, while others may continue to compete for their colleges before reporting to their MLS clubs in late May.
