Raposo, Higgins Selected in MLS SuperDraft First Round

NEW YORK – Syracuse sophomore midfielder Ryan Raposo and senior defender Nyal Higgins were selected in the first round of the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft on Thursday, Jan. 9. Raposo was the fourth overall pick by Vancouver FC, while Toronto FC used the No. 19 pick to select Higgins.

Raposo's selection marks Syracuse's fifth top-10 draft pick in the last six years. In addition, he is the second top-five pick for the Orange, joining Miles Robinson, who was the No. 2 selection by Atlanta United in 2017.

Syracuse was one of three schools to have two first-round draft picks on Thursday. It marked the third time two former Orange have been taken in the first round since 2015. Overall, nine Syracuse players have been selected in the first round in the last six years.

Raposo was one of the leading scorers in the nation in 2019. He finished the year with 37 points on 15 goals and seven assists. The Hamilton, Ontario ranked seventh in points, ninth in points per game (1.85), 11th in goals and 14th in goals per game (0.75) in the final Division I statistics.

Raposo set the school record for most points and goals by a sophomore. He was voted to the All-ACC First Team and the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Second Team. In addition, Raposo was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's Top XI Second Team.

As a freshman, Raposo played in 18 matches, making 16 starts, and posted 15 points (4g, 7a). He was selected to the ACC All-Freshman team, TopDrawerSoccer.com's Freshmen Best XI and College Soccer News' All-Freshman Third Team.

Higgins played his final season for the Orange in 2019 after transferring from Oakland. He started all 19 matches in which he played in the backfield. Higgins, who hails from Ajax, Ontario, helped Syracuse record five shutouts. He also posted three points on a goal and an assist.

The third and fourth rounds of this year's MLS SuperDraft will be held on Monday, Jan. 13.

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)

2015 SuperDraft
Alex Bono – Toronto FC – 1st round (6th overall)
Skylar Thomas – Toronto FC – 1st round (11th overall)
Jordan Murrell – Real Salt Lake – 3rd round (57th overall)

2016 SuperDraft
Julian Buescher – DC United – 1st round (11th overall)
Ben Polk – Portland Timbers – 1st round (20th overall)

2017 SuperDraft
Miles Robinson – Atlanta United - 1st round (2nd overall)
Liam Callahan – Colorado Rapids – 2nd round (24th overall)

2018 SuperDraft
Mo Adams – Chicago Fire – 1st round (10th overall)

2019 SuperDraft
Tajon Buchanan – New England Revolution – 1st round (9th overall)
Kamal Miller – Orlando City SC – 2nd round (27th overall)

2020 SuperDraft
Ryan Raposo – Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 1st round (4th overall)
Nyal Higgins – Toronto FC – 1st round (19th overall)

Syracuse University Athletics

Raposo, Higgins Selected in MLS SuperDraft First Round

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Ryan Raposo

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