With the 2022 soccer season in the books, and the 2023 season right on the horizon, let’s take a look at the all the Clemson men’s soccer program alumni playing professionally, both here and abroad.
Oskar Agren – Class of 2021
San Jose Earthquakes – Defender
In his debut season with San Jose, Agren earned three starts against Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami. With 250 total minutes played and a 91.8% accurate pass percentage, Oskar hopes to build off of his first season in the MLS with more success in Northern California this season.
Joe Bendik – Class of 2009
Philadelphia Union – Goalkeeper
Joe Bendik is in his 10th season playing in the MLS and has amassed nearly 16,000 total minutes with nearly 200 games started as the last line of defense for five different MLS teams. Bendik started his MLS career with the Portland Timbers allowing only eight goals in his debut MLS season back in 2012. Bendik did not see any action in the 2022 season.
Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador – Class of 2021
Vancouver FC – Midfielder
Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador was selected 44th overall in the second round of the MLS draft by Vancouver FC. Luis did not see any action in the MLS regular season, but played 22 games in MLS Next Pro matches finishing the season with 3 goals. Luis looks to help Vancouver after finishing 9th in the Western Conference in 2022.
George Marks – Class of 2021
Charlotte FC – Goalkeeper
George Marks had one start in the 2022 MLS Regular season against Montreal on June 25, 2022, where he recorded one save. The Raleigh native was a big part of the 2021 National Championship squad where he had 71 saves for the Orange and Regalia. He left Clemson with 47 wins and 21 solo shutouts, third in school history in both categories.
Philip Mayaka – Class of 2020
Colorado Rapids – Midfielder
Philip Mayaka is in his second season with the Rapids, making his professional debut on May 14, 2021. Mayaka was a critical member of the 2020 Clemson team that made it to the NCAA Quarterfinals and won the ACC regular season. He was the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2019 and accumulated 32 appearances and two goals through his final season in 2020 for the Tigers.
Tommy McNamara – Class of 2013
New England Revolution – Midfielder
Tommy McNamara played his ninth MLS season in 2022, playing in 33 games and starting 30 of them. McNamara has played in over 200 MLS games and has scored 22 goals in his professional career. With nearly 13,000 minutes of game time experience, Tommy looks to play a key role in the Revolution’s 2023 season.
Quinn McNeill – Class of 2021
Charlotte FC – Midfielder
In his rookie season McNeill played in 11 games for Charlotte FC, starting 10 of them. McNeill had one goal and two assists in his inaugural season, scoring his first goal at home versus DC United on August 3, 2022. In Clemson, McNeill tallied four goals and four assists as a part of the 2021 National Championship squad.
Justin Malou – Class of 2021
Columbus Crew – Defender
Justin Malou was drafted 27th overall by the Columbus Crew in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, but returned to the Tigers starting XI for their national championship run in 2021. Malou has been playing with Columbus Crew 2 in their MLS Next Pro matches and this past season played in 22 games finding the back of the net one time.
Callum Johnson – Class of 2021
LA Galaxy – Midfielder
Callum Johnson was drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft with the 42nd overall pick. Johnson played a pivotal role in Clemson’s 2021 National Champion side, starting 19 games and tallying 11 points. He has yet to make an appearance for the Galaxy in his first season, but has appeared in five matches for the MLS NEXT Pro team Galaxy II.
Cody Mizell – Class of 2012
New York City FC – Goalkeeper
Cody Mizell started his professional career in the North American Soccer League (NASL) with the Atlanta Silverbacks and Tampa Bay Rowdies before his brief stint with an Icelandic team. He then played in the USL from 2016-2020 before signing with New York City FC in March of 2021. Since signing with NYCFC, Mizell has not seen any action in the MLS regular season. Mizell served as a key part of the 2012 team where he led the team in solo shutouts (5), saves (59), and goals allowed average (1.12). He finished his career at Clemson with 199 saves and 11 solo shutouts while playing over 4,700 minutes.
Robbie Robinson – Class of 2019
Inter Miami CF – Forward
Robbie Robinson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Inter Miami CF. Since being in the 305, Robinson has played in 44 games starting 26 of them. With over 2,200 minutes played and 5 goals, Robinson looks to be a big help in Miami’s 2023 season. While at Clemson, Robinson was the 2020 ACC Male Athlete of the Year and Frank Howard Award recipient; and in 2019 he was the MAC Hermann Trophy winner and ACC Offensive Player of the Year.
Andrew Tarbell – Class of 2015
Houston Dynamo FC – Goalkeeper
Andrew Tarbell will be entering his eighth MLS season amassing over 46,000 minutes played. Tarbell led Austin FC to a runner-up finish in the Western Conference Championship game in 2022. After spending his previous 2 years with Austin FC, Tarbell has just moved 3 hours east to play with Houston Dynamo FC for the 2023 season. Tarbell brings playoff experience, and a previous MLS Cup Championship in 2020 with Columbus Crew under his belt to Houston. In his professional career, Tarbell has 162 saves with a 352.8% total saves percentage.
Hamady Diop – Pick #1 | Charlotte FC
Clemson defender Hamady Diop has been selected with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC. Diop is just the second Tiger to be drafted 1st overall in the draft. In his 3 seasons at Clemson Diop has played in 42 games, scoring 7 goals, and assisting 3 times. Diop played a pivotal role in the 2021 National Championship team, scoring 2 penalty kicks against No. 1 Oregon State and No. 4 Notre Dame in the playoffs. In his last two seasons Diop has been a back-to-back All-ACC second team selection.
Joey Skinner – Pick #11 | Nashville SC
Skinner played his first season at Clemson this year after transferring from UNCG. While in Greensboro he started 17 matches, scoring 4 goals, with 7 assists. In his 2022 campaign Skinner led the team in minutes played (1,744) and was tied for most game winning goals (2).
Isaiah Reid – Pick #34 | Houston Dynamo
Forward Isaiah Reid has been selected with the fifth pick in the second round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. One of the most tenured players on the roster, the Rock Hill native played in 64 games scoring 14 goals. Reid was named the College Cup Offensive Most Outstanding Player after finding the back of the net twice against No. 2 Washington in the Tigers 2021 National Championship victory.
Charlie Asensio – Class of 2021
Charleston Battery – Defender
Charlie Asensio played his rookie season with the Charleston Battery of the USL. Asensio is on loan from Austin FC and made 15 appearances for the Battery in the 2022 season. Asensio played a big role in the Tigers 2021 National Championship team with great passing and 5 assists.
Grayson Barber – Class of 2020
Charlotte Independence – Midfielder
Grayson Barber played his first season with the USL team Charlotte Independence this past season after being waived by Sporting Kansas City on February 14th, 2022. In his 2022 campaign Barber made 21 appearances for his new club.
Amadou Dia – Class of 2014
Louisville City – Defender
Amadou Dia was drafted 20th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City, making over 30 appearances in his debut season. This past year in 2022 he played with USL side Louisville City making 29 appearances with 5 assists. Dia was a vital member of Clemson’s 2014 team that were ACC Champions.
Phanuel Kavita – Class of 2014
Birmingham Legion – Defender
Phanuel Kavita is currently playing with Birmingham Legion making over 65 appearances since 2021.Thus far in his professional career, Kavita has played over 18,400 minutes with 214 appearances, five goals, and one assist. In 2014, Kavita won Clemson’s defensive player of the year award on the team that were ACC Champions.
Malick Mbaye – Class of 2019
North Carolina FC – Defender
The Senegalese defender continues to play at North Carolina FC after being drafted 33rd overall in the 2020 MLS draft by Toronto FC. With over 25 appearances and 1 goal, Mbaye hopes to continue his success this year in Cary. While at Clemson, Mbaye was the 2019 ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Jack Metcalf – Class of 2013
San Diego Loyal – Defender
Jack Metcalf signed with the Charlotte independence in 2015 to start his professional career but now plays with San Diego Loyal SC. Since being in Southern California, Metcalf has made 59 appearances with 1 goal. In his professional career, Metcalf has made over 160 appearances with 3 goals. Metcalf played a pivotal role in the Tiger’s season in 2014 and contributed with 3 assists. Following the season, Metcalf retired from professional soccer and is now working as an agent.
Kyle Murphy – Class of 2015
Miami FC – Forward
Kyle Murphy started his professional career in 2016 with Rio Grande Valley FC. After making an impact on 5 other USL clubs, Murphy found his way to Miami FC. In his 2022 campaign he had 33 appearances while finding the back of the net 10 times. In his professional career he has accumulated over 10,100 minutes played with 180 appearances. Murphy was a key player in the Tiger’s 2015 team that were the national runner-up.
Diego Campos – Class of 2017
Degerfors IF (Sweden) – Midfielder
Diego Campos is currently playing for Degerfors IF in Sweden. In his 2022 campaign he had 17 starts with 3 goals and 2 assists. Previously Campos had been drafted by the Chicago Fire of the MLS in 2018, where he played for 2 seasons. While in Clemson he led the Tigers in goals (10), assists (9), and points (29) during his final year in 2017. That year the Tigers ranked 17th in the nation in the final polls.
Iman Mafi – Class of 2017
Jerv (Norway) – Defender
Iman Mafi started his professional career in 2017 and has made 127 appearances, two goals, and 12 assists over the past six seasons. Mafi played a pivotal role in the Tigers 2015 national runner-up season leading the squad with eight assists.
Oliver Shannon – Class of 2017
Bala Town (Wales) – Midfielder
Oliver Shannon started his professional career after being the 36th pick in the 2018 MLS draft to Atlanta United. He made his professional debut for Atlanta United’s second team in March 2018 versus New York Red Bulls and finished the season with one goal off of 27 appearances. In January of 2020, Shannon joined the Welsh side Bala Town club. In his professional career, Shannon has over 7,100 minutes played with 91 appearances, 10 goals, and eight assists. Shannon served as a crucial member of Clemson’s 2017 team as its MVP with four goals and five assists. Shannon hopes to continue his past success in Wales for the 2023 season.
