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AmayaSuperDraft2019
Frankie Amaya became the first draft pick in Cincinnati FC history on Friday (photo: Nuccio DiNuzzo-USA TODAY Sports)

Amaya Selected First, Asiedu 24th in 2019 MLS SuperDraft

January 11, 2019 | Men's Soccer

CHICAGO – UCLA freshman midfielder Frankie Amaya was selected first overall by expansion club Cincinnati FC while senior midfielder Anderson Asiedu went 24th overall to reigning MLS champion Atlanta United in Friday's 2019 MLS SuperDraft at McCormick Place.

Amaya became the first draft pick in Cincinnati FC history and the sixth No. 1 overall pick in UCLA lore. The Bruins now have twice as many No. 1 overall MLS draft picks as any other school in the country (Connecticut: 3). UCLA has had two of the last three top selections (2017: Abu Danladi, Minnesota United FC) and now has four during the tenure of head coach Jorge Salcedo. Other past No. 1 overall picks from UCLA include Tahj Jakins (1997), Steve Shak (2000), Marvell Wynne (2006), and Chance Myers (2008).

"First and foremost, a big congratulation to Frankie Amaya for being the No. 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft," said UCLA head coach Jorge Salcedo. "He is a fantastic player and an even better young man. While his time at UCLA was short, I know he was impacted by UCLA men's soccer. He matured a lot as a player and everyone realizes his ceiling is really high. We wish him the best luck in Cincinnati and in his professional career."

Amaya had quite the impact during his debut season in Westwood, earning Freshman All-America, First Team All-Pac-12, and Second Team All-Far West Region honors. Limited to 10 starts and 14 games due to injury and national team duties, the Santa Ana, Calif. native recorded two goals and two assists for six points. He was called up to the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team twice during the course of the season, locking down a starting spot for the squad that won the Concacaf U-20 Tournament, ensuring a spot in the 2019 U-20 World Cup. Amaya had previously signed a contract with Generation adidas on Jan. 4, making him eligible for Friday's draft.

"With Frankie becoming our sixth No. 1 MLS Draft pick, it speaks volumes to the quality and caliber of the players we've had in our program," said Salcedo. "My direct interaction with the four No. 1 picks in my tenure gives me great pleasure to have had a positive impact on the starts of their professional careers."
 

A native of Hoboken, N.J., Asiedu totaled 34 games, three goals, four assists, and 10 points in two years at UCLA. One of the premier possession and link-up midfielders on the west coast, Asiedu was an All-Pac-12 selection in both of his Bruin seasons. Asiedu transferred to UCLA from Monmouth, where he was a MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List member in 2016. He was named the MVP of last week's 2019 MLS Combine.

With Asiedu's selection, UCLA had multiple players chosen in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft for seventh time overall and the sixth time in the Salcedo era.

"A champion of life is heading to the champion of the MLS," said Salcedo. "In his two years at UCLA, Anderson made a big impact on his teammates, coaches, and the UCLA community. His passion and enthusiasm for soccer and life infused great energy into everyone he touched. We wish Anderson the best with Atlanta United FC."

All-time, UCLA has now had 74 players selected in the MLS Draft, the most of any college nationwide. Paired with Hailie Mace's No. 2 selection in Thursday's NWSL Draft, 2019 represents the second time in history that UCLA has had a top-two pick in both the men's and women's draft (last: Chance Myers, No. 1 overall, and Jill Oakes, No. 2 overall, in 2008).