Johnston, DeZart Selected on Day One of MLS SuperDraft
1/9/2020 2:42:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Alistair Johnston was selected No. 11 overall, giving Wake Forest a first-round pick in five-straight drafts.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Wake Forest men's soccer team had two players selected on the opening day of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday afternoon, with Alistair Johnston being picked in the first round and Joey DeZart taken in the second round.
Johnston was the No. 11 overall selection by expansion side Nashville SC, which is set for its first MLS season in 2020 after competing in the USL Championship the last two years.
Wake Forest is one of two programs to have a first-round selection in each of the last five MLS SuperDrafts, totaling six first-rounders over that span. Johnston is the 17th first-round pick in program history.
DeZart was the fifth selection of the second round, going No. 31 overall to Orlando City SC. He becomes the first Deacon to be taken by Orlando City in the club's sixth year of the MLS.
"What an honor for these young men to be drafted and earn a chance to begin their professional careers," head coach Bobby Muuss said. "For them both to do this as seniors says a lot about their character and work ethic, and we can't wait to see their successes at the next level."
The Demon Deacons have now sent 17 to the MLS ranks in the five years under Muuss, with 11 being drafted and six signing homegrown deals.
In two years at Wake Forest, Johnston totaled six goals and 10 assists for 22 total points. He moved from midfield to right back this year, and also served as a team captain.
DeZart was a three-year starter in the defensive midfield, playing in 65 matches and making 53 starts. He totaled eight points on two goals and four assists.
Rounds three and four of the SuperDraft will be held via a conference call on Monday, Jan. 13.
Johnston was the No. 11 overall selection by expansion side Nashville SC, which is set for its first MLS season in 2020 after competing in the USL Championship the last two years.
There he goes! @NashvilleSC trades up to pick Alistair Johnston (@_a_johnston) No. 11 overall in the first round of the #MLSSuperDraft!!#GoDeacs #ProDeacs pic.twitter.com/oul5ctYrt2
— Wake Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) January 9, 2020
Wake Forest is one of two programs to have a first-round selection in each of the last five MLS SuperDrafts, totaling six first-rounders over that span. Johnston is the 17th first-round pick in program history.
DeZart was the fifth selection of the second round, going No. 31 overall to Orlando City SC. He becomes the first Deacon to be taken by Orlando City in the club's sixth year of the MLS.
Another Deacon picked up! Congrats to Joey DeZart on being taken No. 31 overall with the fifth pick of the second round by @OrlandoCitySC! #GoDeacs #ProDeacs pic.twitter.com/eqdYjEIhfD
— Wake Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) January 9, 2020
"What an honor for these young men to be drafted and earn a chance to begin their professional careers," head coach Bobby Muuss said. "For them both to do this as seniors says a lot about their character and work ethic, and we can't wait to see their successes at the next level."
The Demon Deacons have now sent 17 to the MLS ranks in the five years under Muuss, with 11 being drafted and six signing homegrown deals.
In two years at Wake Forest, Johnston totaled six goals and 10 assists for 22 total points. He moved from midfield to right back this year, and also served as a team captain.
DeZart was a three-year starter in the defensive midfield, playing in 65 matches and making 53 starts. He totaled eight points on two goals and four assists.
Rounds three and four of the SuperDraft will be held via a conference call on Monday, Jan. 13.
Players Mentioned
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