Four Pac-12 players drafted in 2013 MLS SuperDraft

By the Pac-12 Conference

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Led by OREGON STATE forward Emery Welshman, who was selected with the No. 16 overall pick by the Toronto FC, four Pac-12 men's soccer players were chosen in the 2013 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday. Welshman was joined in the first round by UCLA's Fernando Monge, while fellow UCLA player Ryan Hollingshead and WASHINGTON's Dylan Tucker-Gangnes were picked in the second round.

Since the Pac-12 began sponsoring men's soccer in 2000, the Conference has seen 88 players drafted in the MLS SuperDraft, including four No. 1 picks.

Oregon State's Welshman became the fifth Beaver selected in the MLS SuperDraft. Toronto FC picked up Welshman with the 16th overall selection in the first round. Welshman was a two-time first team All-Pac-12 selection while at Oregon State. In addition, Welshman was named second team NSCAA Far West Region. Welshman shined at the MLS Combine last week, where he scored a goal and added an assist in his team's second game.

UCLA's Monge was the second Pac-12 player selected when the Montreal Impact drafted him in the first round with the 18th overall selection. Monge finished his senior season scoring a single-season best five goals, two of which were game-winners. He notched a career-best 11 points this past season and started every match for the Bruins. Monge earned first team All-Pac-12 honors and second team NSCAA Far West Region honors for 2012.

Hollingshead, a UCLA forward and the 2012 Pac-12 Player of the Year, was selected by FC Dallas at No. 20, the first pick of the second round. Hollingshead garnered many awards his senior season, including first team All-Pac-12, second team NCAA All-American, first team NSCAA Far West Region and first team Senior CLASS award and finalist. Hollingshead led the team with 22 points after starting all 19 of UCLA's matches this season. He tied with teammate Reed Williams for the lead in goals.

Husky defender Tucker-Gangnes became the second-straight player from Washington taken in the MLS SuperDraft. He was the 34th overall pick in the second round and was selected by the Portland Timbers. Tucker-Gangnes was a senior co-captain in 2012, was first team All-Pac-12 and first team NSCAA Far West Region. He led the Huskies back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. He led the team with eight goals and 16 points.

The 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft will take place Tuesday, January 22.