14 NPSL Alums Selected in 2025 MLS SuperDraft, 68 Drafted Since 2021
The NPSL continued its strong showing in the MLS SuperDraft with 14 players selected on Friday. The total number of players drafted since 2021 is now 68.
Emil Jaaskalainen (#7 overall to St. Louis City SC), Mikah Thomas (#9 overall to Charlotte FC), Donovan Parisian (#18 overall to New England Revolution), Alec Hughes (#22 overall to LAFC), Ian Pilcher (#24 overall to San Diego FC), and Roman Torres (#25 overall to Minnesota United) were all selected in the first round.
Jaaskalainen started all 21 games for the University of Akron in 2024, recording an NCAA-best 23 goals and 54 points. He also led the nation in game-winning goals (6), goals per game (1.10), and points per game (2.57). The Bolton, England native was a MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist, unanimous BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-BIG EAST selection in 2024.
Jaaskalainen is no stranger to success following a distinguished career at Long Island University where he was a four-time All-NEC selection, three-time All-Region honoree, a two-time NEC Player of the Year, and NEC Rookie of the Year. He was also named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List and received an invite to the adidas MLS College Showcase. He registered 43 goals (15 game-winners), 14 assists, and 100 points during his time at LIU. His goalscoring continued in the NPSL as Jaaskalainen led FC Motown in goals per minute during the 2023 season.
Thomas made nine starts in defense across two seasons for UConn. As a left back, the Ponte Vedra, Florida native recorded one goal and three assists in 26 career appearances. Thomas spent time with Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 in the NPSL.
Parisian was named the 2024 WCC Goalkeeper of the Year following his standout season in goal, where he started in 16 matches and allowed just 11 goals while corralling 39 saves in the cage for the University of San Diego. He was also an All-WCC First Team selection for his stellar season that included eight clean sheets as he helped lead the Toreros to the third round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
The Queen Creek, Arizona native was also a standout with FC Arizona. He collected one clean sheet in six starts, helping the team win their conference in 2023.
“Donny is a great example of why FC Arizona has the platforms we have,” FC Arizona owner Jamie Landreman said. “Offering a youth player the opportunity to play against adults prepares them for the next level, and we hear that from college coaches and professional coaches over and over again. We could not be more happy for Donny and his family. They’re wonderful people, and he has earned this opportunity through his discipline and commitment to the game.”
Hughes joins LAFC after a historic five-year career with UMass, tallying a program-best 51 goals, adding eight assists for 110 points across 87 games with the Minutemen.
The Glastonbury, CT native has racked up the accolades after leading the Atlantic 10 and ranking third in the nation in goals (16) and helping UMass get to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Hughes was first team All-Conference and named Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year for the third season in a row, becoming the only player to win the award in three consecutive seasons. He is the only Atlantic 10 player to win both Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in their career and the only three-time Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year.
Hughes was named United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America in addition to First Team All-Region and Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference. The forward was also the New England Soccer Journal’s DI Men’s Player of the Year for his efforts in the 2024 campaign, which included an All-ECAC First Team Selection. He also starred for Hartford City FC in 2021 and 2022, winning the North Atlantic Conference in 2021 and garnering North Atlantic Conference XI and East Region XI honors in 2022.
“Every few years you see a player come around that has all the pieces of becoming someone capable of playing at the next level,” Hartford City FC Director of Football Nick Balistierri said. “That was Alec, he just needed some time to pull it all together, and he’s been nothing but exceptional his last four years. He’s ready to be a professional footballer.”
During his four-year career at UNC Charlotte, Pilcher guided the 49ers to consecutive American Athletic Conference Championships in 2023 and 2024, along with three NCAA Tournament appearances. The Charlotte, NC native and team captain appeared in 66 games (60 starts), totaling five goals and 11 points. Pilcher was one of just 44 college players invited to participate in the 2024 adidas MLS College Showcase in San Diego, CA. He starred for Grove United in the NPSL.
Torres had a breakout season at Creighton University in 2024, claiming All-BIG EAST Third Team honors. The Dallas, TX native started 17 matches for the Bluejays, playing 1,442 minutes. He delivered three goals and two assists, including the game-winner in Creighton’s 3-0 win over Tulsa.
Eric Howard (#35 overall to New England Revolution), Joey Zalinsky (#37 overall to St. Louis City SC), Michael Sullivan (#39 overall to Toronto FC), Daniel Ittycheria (#40 overall to D.C. United), Samuel Sarver (#41 overall to FC Dallas), Kieran Chandler (#43 overall to Minnesota United), and Titus Sandy Jr. (#46 overall to Orlando City) were selected in the second round.
Howard started all 21 games at Georgetown in 2024, registering one goal and three assists in 1,842 minutes of play. The Redmond, WA native played in 17 matches for the Hoyas in 2023, tallying one goal and two assists in 393 minutes.
Zalinsky, who starred for Jackson Lions FC in the NPSL, spent four seasons at Rutgers. He was a two-year captain who made 59 appearances (58 starts) for the Scarlet Knights, tallying two goals and two assists in 5,010 minutes. The Brick, NJ native consistently shut down the opposition’s biggest threats and was touted as one of the top defenders in the entire Big Ten. He received Academic All-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, and All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors.
Sullivan enjoyed a successful collegiate career, leading Pitt to a College Cup appearance in 2022, along with national quarterfinal appearances in 2021 and 2024. The Tarentum, PA native made 64 appearances (41 starts) for the Panthers, compiling six goals and two assists over 3,500 minutes of play.
Ittycheria led Princeton in goals in both 2023 and 2024 and played a critical role in securing an Ivy League Tournament Championship for Princeton this season. Ittycheria tallied nine goals and an assist in 2024, leading the Tigers in scoring and ranking third in the Ivy League during the regular season. His performance earned him Second Team All-Ivy and Ivy League Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.
In 2023, the Warren, NJ native also recorded nine goals and one assist, leading the Tigers once again. As a sophomore, Ittycheria was also the second-highest goal scorer in the Ivy League, and he was awarded an Ivy League First Team All-Ivy selection. He also picked up one Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week award, following up an Ivy League Rookie of the Week award during his freshman year. Ittycheria was a key player for FC Motown during their playoff run in 2024.
Sarver was the TopDrawerSoccer.com 2024 NPSL Young Player of the Season. He scored a total of 11 goals in 2024, including eight in league play and three in the USASA Amateur Cup. He also tallied six assists.
The Chesterland, Ohio native was a standout at Indiana University, where he appeared in 90 matches (81 starts). He was a prolific goalscorer, recording 24 goals, 22 assists, and 70 points. He was part of the College Cup team in 2022, Big Ten Tournament Champion in 2023, and Big Ten regular season champion in 2023 and 2024. He was a two-time United Soccer Coaches third-team All-America (2023 and 2024) and also received first-team All-Big Ten (2023 and 2024), Big Ten Offensive Player of the Tournament (2023), Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2023), and BigTen All-Freshman Team (2021) honors.
Chandler started all 18 matches for UConn in 2024, providing four assists in almost 1,400 minutes played and was named to the All-BIG EAST Third team for the second consecutive year. Across the past two seasons with the Huskies, the Simsbury, CT native has made a total of 32 starts. He was also an invitee that participated in the 2024 adidas MLS College Showcase.
Chandler starred for Hartford City FC in 2023, leading the team to a conference championship.
“Every year we want to bring in the top 1-2 high school players going into college,” Balistierri said. “We knew well in advance that Kieran was that player. He was capable of playing with the best local college talent at 18. Seeing him get drafted is a testament to his tireless work ethic and his youth club development at FSA.”
Sandy started 21 of 22 games for Clemson this season with four assists on the year. He anchored a back line that helped Clemson finish fourth nationally in goal differential. He played with NPSL side Charlottetowne Hops FC.
Nick Collins (#85 overall to Minnesota United) was the only NPSL player selected in the draft’s third round.
He was a regular for FC Motown in 2024 and was a key starter in the playoffs and NPSL National Championship. Collins has been an anchor in the Rutgers defense for the past two seasons. The Mount Olive, NJ native was named to the 2023 Big Ten All-Freshman team and has made 28 appearances (28 starts) for the Scarlet Knights. He is also a product of the PDA youth club.
FC Motown led the NPSL with three players drafted, while Hartford City finished second with two players selected.
“We are thrilled for Nick, Emil and Danny to be selected in the MLS Draft,” FC Motown co-founder Dan Karosen said. “They are wonderful players who have a very bright future. All have played an integral role in our club’s success the past few years, including a National Final appearance.”
Photo Credit: J.J. Digos/FC Arizona, Phil Zolla/Hartford City FC, and Tim McCarty/TVCommando Media/NPSL.com
