PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Pilots Men's Soccer has six players available in the eligible player pool for the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. Kevin Bonilla; Jacob Babalai; Nick Denley; Nick Fernandez; Buba Fofanah; and Samory Powder are all eligible to be drafted.
The last time the Pilots had a player drafted was in 2019 when Rey Ortiz was taken with the 29
th pick of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by FC Cincinnati. The Pilots have had two players taken in the SuperDraft since Nick Carlin-Voigt took over as head coach, with Paul Christensen also being selected with the 70
th pick in 2018 by Atlanta United. Four Pilots have gone on to sign homegrown contracts, with Benji Michel signing with Orlando SC and Kris Reaves with FC Dallas in 2018, Delentz Pierre with Real Salt Lake in 2022 and Brandon Cambridge with Charlotte FC also in 2022.
Bonilla put together one of the best seasons of any defender in the country. He was a first team All-American for United Soccer Coaches, made the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI First Team, the All-West Region First Team and the All-WCC First Team. He was also named the WCC Defender of the Year, becoming the first Pilot to win the award since 2011, and was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, just the sixth in Pilot history. He had one goal and 10 assists in 2023, with his assist total ranking eighth in the nation and being the most by a Pilot since 2017.
Babalai was an electric scorer for Portland this year, notching 12 goals and four assists for 28 points. He led the WCC in both points and goals, ranking 20
th and 15
th nationally in those two categories respectively. An All-West Region Second Team selection and All-WCC First Team pick, his 12 goals through 17 games were the most through that few games since Stevie Evans in 2012. Along with Bonilla, he was one of 44 prospects picked for the adidas MLS College Showcase this year.
Denley played in 15 games this year with 13 starts opposite Bonilla as the left back. He had two assists on the year, both coming against Gonzaga. He was a part of a Portland defense that led the WCC in shutout percentage (.471) and goals-against average (.882) and that also ranked 12
th and 24
th nationally in those two categories. He also earned All-WCC Honorable Mention and was a CSC Academic All-District selection.
Fernandez was an All-American selection for Portland, making the third team for United Soccer Coaches. He was also the WCC Midfielder of the Year, an All-WCC First Team selection and a WCC All-Academic Team honoree. He also made the All-West Region First Team. Fernandez played in 15 matches with 13 starts, posting two goals with seven assists.
Fofanah made the All-WCC Second Team earlier this year after scoring nine goals with six assists across 17 games. He was the only Pilot to post at least five goals and five assists this year. His 24 points and nine goals were both good for second in the conference while his assist total was good for sixth. He and Babalai were the first Pilot duo to score at least nine goals each in a season since 2002.
Finally, Powder joined the Pilots this season and scored six goals while adding an assist. His six goals were good for seventh in the WCC. Powder was solid on the wing for the Pilots, scoring the game-winner against Saint Mary's on the road.
The Pilots finished off a historic year that saw them go 12-5 and earn a first-round bye for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1988. They boasted a home unbeaten streak of 26-0-2 that was a program record and the longest in the nation. They led the WCC in 11 different categories and nationally ranked first in points per game (8.47), second in assists per game (3.18) and scoring offense (2.65), fourth in assists (54), fifth in points (144), sixth in goals (45) and goal differential (30), 12
th in shutout percentage (.471), 21
st in overall win percentage (.706) and 24
th in goals-against average (.882).
The 2024 MLS SuperDraft will take place tomorrow, Dec. 19, with coverage beginning at 12 p.m. PST. The draft will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or you can follow online using the MLS SuperDraft Tracker on MLSSoccer.com.
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