NEW YORK – Eight Portland Pilots men's soccer players were included in the eligible player pool ahead of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, which takes place on Friday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. PST. Efetobo Aror, Kendi Bellini, Nicky Dunbar, Nick Fernandez, Micaah Garnette, Sebastian Hernandez, Joe Highfield and Sebastian Nava are all eligible.
The Pilots have a strong history in the MLS Draft, specifically having three players taken in the draft last year: Kevin Bonilla; Jacob Babalai; and Buba Fofanah. It was the first time in program history that three players had gone in the same draft, with Bonilla being the first Pilot to go in the first round since the 2010 season.
Aror played in 10 games last season, notching a goal and an assist while playing a crucial role in the midfield. His goal proved to be the game-winning goal against the Oregon State Beavers in the final match of the year, a goal that preserved Portland's 10-game unbeaten streak and helped them earn their first undefeated WCC record since 1989. Last year, Aror was named the WCC Freshman of the Year after notching three assists in 17 games and 12 starts.
Bellini played in eight games for the Pilots, starting four of those matches. Bellini played primarily as an outside back, notching two assists on the year. Bellini was a transfer from Utah Valley, where he earned All-WAC Second Team honors. Prior to that, he was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team with the North Carolina Tar Heels his freshman season.
Dunbar was one of the top scorers for the Pilots this season in his sophomore campaign. He notched six goals and added two assists for 14 points, with his goal and points total both ranking second on the team. His goal against Washington proved to be the game-winner. Dunbar played in 17 matches with three starts.
Fernandez was one of the top midfielders on the West Coast this year. Fernandez earned All-WCC First Team honors for the third time in his career this year and was also a United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Second Team selection. Fernandez is the first Pilot since 2018 to make the conference first team three times and the first to make three All-Region teams since 2019. Fernandez notched a career-high four goals and added four assists in 16 matches (13 starts). Three of those goals were game-winners, a total that ranked third in the WCC. Earlier this month, Fernandez was invited to San Diego for the adidas MLS College Showcase, a closed-door four-day scouting event that featured 44 of the best players in college soccer and allowed each MLS club's technical staff to evaluate the players ahead of the SuperDraft.
Garnette was one of just four Pilots to play in all 18 matches this season, notching 15 starts. Playing primarily in the midfield, Garnette notched one assist on the year against the Multnomah Lions. Garnette's 1,336 minutes logged also ranked fourth on the team. Garnette was one of just two players to earn CSC Academic All-District honors as well.
Hernandez was crucial along the back line for the Pilots, playing in every match and adding 17 starts primarily as a center back. No Pilot started more matches this season or played more minutes at 1,530. Hernandez added a goal and an assist on the year as well and was a part of five shutouts for Portland.
Highfield had a stellar debut season with Portland, scoring a team-high seven goals and adding three assists for 17 points total, also leading the Pilots. Highfield's seven goals were the most by a Pilot in their freshman season since Benji Michel in 2016. Highfield's 11 points against WCC opponents ranked second in the league, earning him All-WCC First Team and Freshman Team honors and becoming the first freshman once again since Michel to make both teams in the same year.
Nava rounds out the eligible players for Portland. Nava was an All-WCC Second Team selection and earned his fifth All-WCC honor in total, becoming the first to earn five All-WCC honors in four years since 2019. He had 13 points on the year with three goals and seven assists, with his seven assists ranking third in the WCC. He finished his college career eighth all-time for the Pilots in assists with 25.
The Pilots have had nine players earn a chance at the next level in MLS since Nick Carlin-Voigt took over as head coach in 2016. Five players have been drafted, with Paul Christensen, Rey Ortiz, Kevin Bonilla, Jacob Babalai and Buba Fofanah all being taken in the MLS SuperDraft. Benji Michel and Kris Reaves each signed homegrown contracts with Orlando SC and FC Dallas respectively back in 2018 while Delentz Pierre and Brandon Cambridge each signed with Real Salt Lake and Charlotte FC in 2022.
The Pilots finished the season at 7-4-7 overall and 4-0-4 in WCC play, ending the year on a 10-game unbeaten streak that was the longest on the West Coast and the third longest in the country. They earned four wins over teams that finished in the top 35 in RPI this season as well.
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