Bono, Thomas Go in First Round of MLS SuperDraft

PHILADELPHIA – Syracuse University goalie Alex Bono and defender Skylar Thomas were both selected in the first round of the 2015 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft by Toronto FC on Thursday, Jan. 15.

The Reds used the No. 6 overall pick, acquired from Chivas USA, to make Bono the first goalkeeper taken off the board. Five picks later, Toronto used its third selection of the first round to take Thomas 11th overall.

Bono and Thomas are the first two Orange players to be selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, and Bono is the highest pick in school history. That distinction was previously held by Richard Asante who Toronto selected with the 27th pick in 2007.

Syracuse was the only school with two players picked in the top 15, and one of two programs with multiple first-round selections. Connecticut also had two players taken in the first round, including No. 1 overall selection Cyle Larin.

In 2014, the Bono and Thomas formed the backbone of one of the top defenses in college soccer. The duo helped the Orange finish third in the NCAA in goals-against average (0.55) and post 12 shutouts on its way to a 16-4-1 record and an appearance in the NCAA's Round of 16.

A MAC Hermann Trophy finalist as the national player of the year, Bono, who is currently training with the U.S. Senior National Team, set the school single-season records for goals-against average (0.55), shutouts (12) and minutes played (1,949) last season.

Bono started 59 games from 2012-14 and ranks in the top 10 in every career goalkeeping category at Syracuse, including goals-against average (1st - 0.80), shutouts (2nd - 30) and wins (2nd - 39).

An All-ACC and NSCAA All-South Region performer, Thomas started 19 games at center back in 2014. He was also a force in the offensive third. Thomas tallied a personal-best three goals this past year, including the match-winners in regular-season victories against eventual NCAA College Cup champion Virginia and Boston College.

Thomas, a two-time Syracuse captain, started all 56 games in his collegiate career and totaled 17 points on eight goals and one assist.

The first two rounds of this year's draft were held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and featured 42 picks by the league's 20 teams. The third and fourth rounds will be conducted via teleconference on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Syracuse MLS Draft History
1996 SuperDraft
Eric Puls - Colorado Rapids - 12th round (112th overall)
Paul Young - Columbus Crew - 13th round (121st overall)

1997 Supplemental Draft
Mike Britton - Colorado Rapids - 3rd round (23rd overall)

2004 SuperDraft
Chris Aloisi - Los Angeles Galaxy - 6th round (57th overall)

2006 Supplemental Draft
Ezra Prendergast - Chicago Fire - 3rd round (34th overall)

2007 SuperDraft
Richard Asante - Toronto FC - 3rd round (27th overall)

2009 SuperDraft
Kyle Hall - Toronto FC - 3rd round (39th overall)

2014 SuperDraft
Alex Bono - Toronto FC - 1st round (6th overall)
Skylar Thomas - Toronto FC - 1st round (11th overall)

Syracuse University Athletics

Bono, Thomas Go in First Round of MLS SuperDraft

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