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Aug 22, 2022

Tigers in the Pros Update

While the 2022 Clemson Tigers preparing to take the pitch to open their season on Friday, twenty former standouts of the Clemson men’s soccer program are competing at the professional level, with ten in Major League Soccer and others worldwide. Check out where and how the former Tigers are performing. 

MLS

Oskar Ågren – Class of 2021 

San Jose Earthquakes – Defender

Ågren is in his rookie season with the San Jose Earthquakes after being selected as the 13th pick in the first round of the 2022 MLS draft. He has made two appearances and two starts this season versus Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami. Oskar led the Tigers in game winning goals (3) as an on-field captain of the 2021 team that won the NCAA National Championship. Ågren finished out his senior season with Clemson as a Hermann Trophy Finalist after tallying five goals and three assists on the year. 

Joe Bendik – Class of 2009 

Philadelphia Union – Goalkeeper

Joe Bendik is in his 10th year playing in the MLS and has accumulated almost 16,000 minutes played with 181 appearances, 176 starts, and 569 saves. Bendik started his professional career at a Norwegian club in 2010 before signing with the Portland Timbers in 2012; he has not seen action thus far this season. He was the team MVP at Clemson during his final season in 2009 where he tallied 85 saves in that season alone. 

Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador – Class of 2021 

Vancouver FC – Midfielder

Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador is in his inaugural season in the MLS after being selected as the overall 44th pick in the second round of the MLS draft by Vancouver FC. Fernandez-Salvador has not seen action in the MLS regular season yet, but has made 19 appearances in MLS Next Pro matches where he has scored three goals. He was Clemson’s co-point leader with 21 points off of eight goals and five assists as a crucial member of the 2021 team that won the NCAA National Championship. 

George Marks – Class of 2021 

Charlotte FC – Goalkeeper

George Marks is in his first season with Charlotte FC as the first pick in the third round of the 2022 MLS draft. Marks got his first MLS appearance and start versus Montréal on June 25, 2022, where he collected one save. He served as a vital member and captain of Clemson’s 2021 NCAA National Champion team, where he finished his senior season with 71 saves for the Tigers. Marks finished his career at 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 in the MLS after being selected third overall in the 2021 MLS draft to the Colorado Rapids. He made his professional debut on May 14, 2021 where Colorado tallied a 4-0 win over Sporting Kansas City. 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 

McNamara has been playing in the MLS for nine years and has accumulated over 12,000 minutes played with 199 appearances, 142 starts, 20 goals, and 29 assists. He currently is in a playoff race with the Revs and has added three goals in his team’s fight for a bid. He led the Tigers in goals (7) and assists (8) as a crucial member of the 2013 team that made it to the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Quinn McNeill – Class of 2021 

Charlotte FC – Midfielder

Quinn McNeill is in his rookie season after signing with Charlotte FC this past April. McNeill has collected ten appearances, nine starts, one goal, and two assists thus far in his career; scoring his first MLS goals versus DC United on August 3, 2022. He accumulated four goals and four assists for the Tigers as a member of the 2021 team that won the NCAA National Championship.

Justin Malou – Class of 2021

Columbus Crew – Defender

Justin Malou was drafted with the 27th overall pick to the Columbus Crew in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, but returned to Clemson for a fifth year in 2021 as the starting right back on the Tigers’ National Championship team. He has been playing with MLS NEXT Pro club Columbus Crew 2 in 2022, earning nine starts and 15 appearances. He scored his first professional goal on June 9, 2022 in Crew 2’s 5-0 win.

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 premier 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 member of the 2012 team where he lead 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 has been playing in the MLS since he was drafted No. 1 overall by Inter Miami CF in 2020. He’s accumulated over 2,000 minutes played with 44 appearances, 26 starts, five goals, and two assists. Robinson is currently out for three to four months after suffering a hamstring injury in June 2022. He led the Tigers in both goals and points, with 18 and 45, respectively, as a pivotal member of the 2019 team that made it to the NCAA Quarterfinals and won the ACC regular season. 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

Austin FC – Goalkeeper

Andrew Tarbell has been playing in the MLS for seven years and has accumulated over 4,600 minutes played with 53 appearances, 50 starts, and 162 saves. Tarbell was drafted as the overall No. 8 pick in the 2016 MLS draft to the San Jose Earthquakes and has now been signed with Austin FC since December 2020. He is currently in the playoff race with Austin and has made four appearances and made 15 saves in his team’s fight for a bid. Tarbell served as the team MVP of Clemson’s 2015 team that was the national runner-up and led the Tigers in solo shutouts (9), saves (84), and goals allowed average (0.88). Tarbell finished his career at Clemson with 15 solo shutouts, 163 saves, and a goals allowed average of 0.91. 

Overseas

Diego Campos – Class of 2017

Degerfors IF (Sweden) – Midfielder

Diego Campos is currently playing in Sweden for Degerfors IF; he has two goals, two assists, and 16 appearances on the season thus far. Before going overseas, Campos was drafted in the 2018 MLS draft as the overall No. 38 pick to Chicago Fire FC where he played for two seasons. He led the Tigers in goals (10), assists (9), and points (29) during his final year at Clemson in 2017 where 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 accumulated 127 appearances, two goals, and 12 assists over the past six seasons. Mafi currently has one assist over six appearances on the 2022 season thus far. He led the 2015 Clemson team, that was the national runner-up, in assists with eight on the year. 

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 Cymu Premier in Wales with the Bala Town club. Over his professional career, Shannon has accumulated over 7,100 minute 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. 

USL

Charlie Asensio – Class of 2021 

Charleston Battery – Defender

Charlie Asensio is in his rookie season of his professional career after being selected as the No. 35 pick in the 2022 MLS draft; he is currently on loan to Charleston Battery in the USL. In the 2022 season, Asensio has accumulated two assists off of seven appearances. Asensio was a pivotal member of Clemson’s 2021 NCAA national championship team where he contributed five assists on the year. 

Grayson Barber – Class of 2020 

Charlotte Independence – Midfielder

Grayson Barber is in his first season with USL team, Charlotte Independence, after signing with Sporting Kansas City of the MLS in 2021 and made nine appearances. Barber was a key member of Clemson’s 2020 team who won the ACC tournament and made it to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament. In his senior season, Barber had 11 appearances, two goals, and seven assists for the Tigers. 

Amadou Dia – Class of 2014 

Louisville City – Defender

Amadou Dia was the No. 20 pick in the 2015 MLS draft to Sporting Kansas City. He joined the USL Championship Club, Louisville City, in January 2022 and has five assists over 19 appearances thus far this season. Over his professional year, Dia has over 15,000 minutes played with 185 appearances, four goals, and 19 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 for Birmingham Legion since December 2020. Kavita started his professional career in January of 2015 with the USL affiliate, Real Monarchs SLC. Thus far in his professional career, Kavita has played over 18,400 minutes with 214 appearances, five goals, and one assist. He served as Clemson’s defensive player of the year on the 2014 team that were ACC Champions.

Malick Mbaye – Class of 2019 

North Carolina FC – Defender

Malick Mbaye was the No. 33 overall pick in the 2020 MLS draft by Toronto FC and signed with North Carolina FC in 2020 where he currently plays. He’s accumulated 25 appearances and one goal, thus far in his professional career. Mbaye was the 2019 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a key member of Clemson’s 2019 team that made it the NCAA quarterfinals and were ACC regular season champions. 

Jack Metcalf – Class of 2013 

San Diego Loyal – Defender

Jack Metcalf started his professional career after signing with Charlotte Independence in February of 2015, but currently plays for the San Diego Loyal; he has accumulated three goals and 10 assists over 162 appearances. He currently is in a playoff race with San Diego and made 19 appearances in his team’s fight for a bid. Metcalf was a critical member of Clemson’s 2014 team and contributed three assists to the Tiger’s that season. 

Kyle Murphy – Class of 2015 

Miami FC – Forward

Kyle Murphy kicked off his professional career in March of 2016 with Rio Grande Valley FC. After playing for several other USL clubs, Murphy signed with Miami FC in December 2021. He has accumulated over 10,100 minutes played with 173 appearances, 51 goals, and 10 assists during his professional career. Thus far during the 2022 season, Murphy has made 25 appearances and scored five goals for Miami. He was a pivotal member of Clemson’s 2015 team that was the national runner-up during the NCAA tournament. Murphy played in 23 games and recorded 20 points off eight goals and four assists during his senior season with the Tigers.

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