NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame men’s soccer Aiden McFadden has joined the ranks of Irish standouts to be drafted into MLS. McFadden was selected as the 59th overall pick (third round) by Atlanta United FC on Thursday in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.
The selection of McFadden extended the total number of Notre Dame MLS picks to 39 in program history (first selection came in 1997), including 24 players that have been chosen during the draft’s opening two rounds (10 in the first round). McFadden is the second Irish player to be selected by Atlanta United FC.
McFadden has been a mainstay in the Irish lineup over the past three seasons, totaling 38 starts over 49 appearances. The senior has accrued six goals and six assists during his Notre Dame career, including a team-high four assists in the 2020 campaign.
McFadden sent the Irish into the 2020 ACC Championship semifinals with an overtime free-kick goal at UNC. The midfielder served as Notre Dame’s set-piece specialist during his senior season, providing the majority of the service on corners and free kicks.
Dawson McCartney was also selected in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers with the 43rd overall pick in the second round. McCartney is set to join the Notre Dame men’s soccer team ahead of the 2021spring season after transferring from Dartmouth after the fall semester.
McCartney was a standout attacking midfielder for the Big Green over the last three seasons, earning two Second Team All-Ivy selections during the 2019 and 2018 campaigns.
Notre Dame head coach Chad Riley has now had nine players selected in the MLS SuperDraft that played under his direction during his time as a head coach.
NOTRE DAME ALL-TIME MLS DRAFT SELECTIONS (SINCE 1997)
2021 SUPERDRAFT
Aiden McFadden (M)
Atlanta United FC – Third Round – 59th overall selection
2020 SUPERDRAFT
Felicien Dumas (D)
New York City FC – Second Round – 48th overall selection
Duncan Turnbull (D)
Houston Dynamo – Third Round – 70th overall selection
2019 SUPERDRAFT
Tommy McCabe (M)
FC Cincinnati – Second Round – 29th overall selection
2018 SUPERDRAFT
Jon Gallagher (F)
Atlanta United FC – First Round – 14th overall selection
2017 SUPERDRAFT
Brandon Aubrey (D)
Toronto FC – First Round – 21st overall selection
2016 SUPERDRAFT
Max Lachowecki (D)
Real Salt Lake – Second Round – 25th overall selection
Patrick Hodan (M)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 28th overall selection
Vince Cicciarelli (F)
Columbus Crew – Third Round – 60th overall selection
2015 SUPERDRAFT
Nick Besler (M)
Portland Timbers – First Round – 5th overall selection
2014 SUPERDRAFT
Grant Van De Casteele (D)
Colorado Rapids – First Round – 19th overall selection
Harrison Shipp (F)
Was not drafted because he signed with the Chicago Fire as a Homegrown Player
2013 SUPERDRAFT
Ryan Finley (F)
Columbus Crew – First Round – 9th overall selection
Dillon Powers (M)
Colorado Rapids – First Round – 11th overall selection
2013 SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
Adam Mena (M)
Vancouver Whitecaps – First Round – 10th overall selection
Michael Rose (M)
Vancouver Whitecaps – First Round – 11th overall selection
2012 SUPERDRAFT
Aaron Maund (D)
Toronto FC – First Round – 12th overall selection
Brendan King (M)
Portland Timbers -Second Round – 27th overall selection
2012 SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
Greg Klazura (D)
Vancouver Whitecaps – Second Round – 21st overall selection
2011 SUPERDRAFT
Jeb Brovsky (F/M)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Second Round – 19th overall selection
Bilal Duckett (D)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC -Third Round – 37th overall selection
Steven Perry (F)
New England Revolution – Third Round – 39th overall selection
2011 SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
Philip Tuttle (G)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 33rd overall selection
2010 SUPERDRAFT
Bright Dike (F)
Columbus Crew – First Round – 12th overall selection
Michael Thomas (M)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 19th overall selection
Justin Morrow (D)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 28th overall selection
2009 SUPERDRAFT
Matt Besler (D)
Kansas City Wizards – First Round – 8th overall selection
Jack Traynor (D)
New York Red Bulls – Second Round – 29th overall selection
2008 SUPERDRAFT
Ryan Miller (D)
Columbus Crew – Third Round – 31st overall selection
Joseph Lapira (F)
Toronto FC – Third Round – 35th overall selection
2007 SUPERDRAFT
Greg Dalby (M)
Colorado Rapids – Second Round – 17th overall selection
Nate Norman (M)
Chicago Fire – Second Round – 21st overall selection
2005 SUPERDRAFT
Jack Stewart (D)
Chicago Fire – First Round – 10th overall selection
Kevin Goldthwaite (M/D)
San Jose Earthquake – Second Round – 17th overall selection
Chris Sawyer (G)
Kansas City Wizards – Second Round – 24th overall selection
2004 SUPERDRAFT
Kevin Richards (D)
Colorado Rapids – Fourth Round – 35th overall selection
Justin Detter (M/F)
Kansas City Wizards – Fifth Round – 47th overall selection
1999 SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
Ryan Turner (F)
Kansas City – Second Round – 14th overall selection
1997 SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
Dan Stebbins (F)
Dallas – First Round – 4th overall selection