CHICAGO – Sam Brown, a recent graduate of the Harvard men’s soccer program, has been selected 17th overall in the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft on Friday, Jan. 11 by Real Salt Lake. Brown is the ninth player in program history to be drafted but the first to be selected in the first round. Harvard’s last draft pick was Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu in 2017, who went to Atlanta United FC and recently won the MLS Cup with the club.

“We are so proud of Sam,” said Pieter Lehrer, The Virginia B. and James O. Welch Jr. ’52 Head Coach for Harvard Men’s Soccer. “Sam is a two-footed player who has a great range of passing. He was our midfield general who showed great leadership. As a multi-year captain he was as committed to his teammates’ success as he was to his own and this character of strength could be seen on the field. He led by example and fought relentlessly on both sides of the ball with a commitment to both attacking and defending. I expect him to have an equally impressive professional career.”

During the past week, Brown participated in the 2019 MLS Player Combine, where scouts from all 24 MLS clubs were present.

Brown recently completed his collegiate campaign with the Crimson, totaling three goals and 12 assists for 18 points across 62 games. The Ann Arbor, Mich. native played a variety of roles on the field and was voted captain by his teammates for the 2018 season.