2017 MLS SuperDraft Rounds 3 & 4 Analysis: Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders draft choices in the third and fourth rounds of the 2017 MLS Superdraft; Doug Goodman, Jake Stovall and Kyle Bjornethun.
The Seattle Sounders have had a busy offseason. After winning the MLS Cup, Nelson Valdez and Erik Friberg both returned to their home countries (Paraguay and Sweden) to play. Andreas Ivanschitz announced his departure from the Sounders Thursday afternoon, while Herculez Gomez has announced his retirement from professional soccer and will be an analyst with ESPN. Seattle strengthened their midfield and attack by Harry Shipp from Montreal and Will Bruin from Huston. In the first and second rounds of the MLS Superdraft the Sounders selected 22 year old Stanford defender Brian Nana-Sinkam and 21 year old Dominic Oduro.
The third and fourth rounds of the Draft were held via conference call on January 17th. During this time the Sounders selected three players, 2 defenders and 1 midfielder. All three players have had impressive college careers and have helped their schools to success on the field.
Who are Doug Goodman and Jake Stovall?
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Midfielder Doug Goodman of Sarasota, Florida, is the 16th player under Georgetown head coach Brian Wiese to be drafted or signed by an MLS club. Goodman graduated in December with a degree in marketing from the McDonough School of Business. Appearing in 80 games with 71 starts, he had 7 goals and 12 assists in his 4 years. The 5’9, 145 pound midfielder was a part of the Big East All-Rookie Team in 2013 and has three NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the quarterfinals in 2014. Goodman also has 2 BIG EAST regular season championships and one BIG EAST tournament championship in 2015. Goodman was the 12th pick of the 3rd round, 56th overall.
Jake Stovall, drafted 66th overall, from Centerville, Ohio was Seattle’s 22nd pick of the 3rd round. The 6’2, 196 pound defender went 11-6-3 at Wright State this past season with 3 assists. Wright State’s defense allowed 20 goals overall with a .96 goals against average. In league play they allowed only 2 goals and had a .21 goals against average. In 2016, Wright State won their first ever Horizon League regular season title. Stovall has been a member of the First Team All-Horizon League and the Third Team All-Great Lakes Region selection.
Who is Kyle Bjornethun, Jordan Morris’s BFF and Former Sounders Academy Player?
Kyle Bjornethun, Jordan Morris’s BFF, was the final pick of the 2017 MLS Superdraft. Bjornethun was drafted 22nd in the 4th round, 88th overall. The Seattle University defender started all 2016 matches on defense and scored 1 goal and had 1 assist. The 2 time Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and 3 time First Team All-WAC helped Seattle University to 7 shutouts this season. His coach, Pete Fewing said, “I’m thrilled for Kyle. He gets to stay at home and play in a familiar environment. He’s going into a situation where he has a better understanding of the team than any other.”
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Bjornethun is 5’11 and 160 pounds and is from Snohomish, Washington. He attended Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish. He played for Snohomish United, Evergreen Soccer Academy and Eastside FC, where he won state, regionals and placed 3rd in Nationals in 2011. Bjornethun is also a former member of the Seattle Sounders Youth Academy.