Brandt Taken By New York City FC With Second Pick In Second Round
Former Torero midfielder Connor Brandt was selected with the 23rd overall pick by New York City FC in the MLS SuperDraft Thursday afternoon. Brandt, who was the 2014 WCC Player of the Year, is the fourth Torero to be selected in the SuperDraft since 2012.
“This is a very exciting time for me,” Brandt said after being selected. “I have worked for this moment and I am so pleased the dream of playing professionally is going to become a reality.”
As the second pick of the second round, Brandt will join New York City FC for their inaugural season in the MLS. Brandt helped the Toreros win their second WCC championship in the past three years and shared the WCC lead in goals (4) and points (12) during league action. He also led USD in assists with six and tied Torrey DeArmas for the team lead with seven goals.
New York City FC will join Orlando City SC as the MLS’s two newest franchises in 2015. They will play their inaugural season at Yankee Stadium and have already signed David Villa of Spain and Frank Lampard of England as their designated players.
“Going to NYC FC is going to be a great opportunity for me,” Brandt said. “Especially playing with world class players like David Villa and Frank Lampard. It will be quite the experience to learn from them and their teachings.”
Brandt was recently one of 55 college seniors to participate in the Adidas MLS Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He joins fellow USD alums Christian Duke (Sporting KC, 14th in supplemental draft), Dan Delgado (San Jose Earthquakes, 33rd overall), and Stephen Posa (LA Galaxy, 62nd in supplemental draft) to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft since 2012.
