Seattle Sounders FC today selected University of North Carolina forward and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist Andy Craven with the sixth pick of the Third Round (48th overall) in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The club then added two players in the Fourth Round, taking Marquette goalkeeper Charlie Lyon with the 13th pick (75th overall) and West Virginia forward Andy Bevin with the 18th pick (80th overall).
“We are very pleased with all three of today’s selections and can’t wait to see what they can do on the field,” said Sounders FC General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “These players, in addition to the three we drafted last week, bring together what we feel is a very strong 2015 SuperDraft class. I look forward to evaluating how each of them fits into our plans ahead of the upcoming season, whether it’s with the First Team or S2.”
Craven, 22, was tied for first in the country with 15 goals for the Tar Heels in 2014, including a nation-leading eight game-winners. In addition to being one of three finalists for the MAC Hermann trophy —given to the nation’s best player — the Georgia native was a 2014 All-ACC First Team and NSCAA All-America First Team selection. Craven recorded 21 goals and 11 assists in two seasons at North Carolina after spending his first two collegiate seasons at College of Charleston.
“Andy Craven we felt was certainly the best player left on the board heading into today,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He’s a guy who was very instrumental at North Carolina, getting all the way to the round of eight in the NCAA Tournament as their leading scorer. He’s got good pace, he can play up front and he can also play wide.”
Lyon, 22, was a two-time co-recipient of the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year Award, as well as a two-time All-Big East First Team selection. The St. Charles, Illinois native had 29 shutouts in 63 appearances over four years with the Golden Eagles, finishing his career with a 0.83 goals against average.
Bevin, 22, was the 2014 MAC Player of the Year after scoring 13 goals and recording eight assists as a senior. A three-time All-MAC selection, the Napier, New Zealand native finished his career at West Virginia with 31 goals and 19 assists in 75 appearances. He was also a 2014 Capital One First Team Academic All-American.
“Charlie Lyon is another excellent goalkeeper who can fit our needs moving forward, and Andy Bevin is a player who had a very productive career at West Virginia,” added Schmid. “We look forward to them coming into camp and seeing what they can do.”
The Third and Fourth Rounds of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft took place via a teleconference call Tuesday. The First and Second Rounds were held last Thursday, January 15 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Sounders FC took University of Washington midfielder Christian Roldan with the 16th overall pick, then added Northwestern Goalkeeper Tyler Miller and New Mexico defender Oniel Fisher in the Second Round.
Name: Andy Craven
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 167
Born: January 21, 1992
Hometown: St. Simons Island, Georgia
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected in the Third Round (48th overall) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft
Name: Charlie Lyon
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215
Born: April 10, 1992 in St. Charles, Illinois
Hometown: St. Charles, Illinois
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected in the Fourth Round (75th overall) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft
Name: Andy Bevin
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160
Born: May 16, 1992 in Napier, New Zealand
Hometown: Napier, New Zealand
Citizenship: New Zealand
Acquired: Selected in the Fourth Round (80th overall) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft
