Marshall University Athletics
Photo by: Jay Slack
Three Herd Men’s Soccer Players Selected in 2025 MLS SuperDraft
12/20/2024 5:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Rodrigues dos Santos taken in first round, Fujita and Vukovic selected in third round
CHAMPIONSHIP FUND
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Men's Soccer saw three student-athletes selected in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft on Friday afternoon after the team's run to the 2024 College Cup Championship.
Senior Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos was selected with 29th overall pick in the first round by Real Salt Lake while sophomore Takahiro Fujita was selected with 87th overall pick in the third round by Orlando and Aleksandar Vukovic being selected with the 89th overall pick in the third round joining Rodrigues dos Santos with Real Salt Lake.
"Always great to see our players drafted," Herd Men's Soccer Head Coach Chris Grassie said. "Each MLS team is looking for something different, so the hard work of earning a contract will begin in earnest for them now. We also have other seniors who have been offered professional contracts outside of those MLS teams, so congrats to that whole class for representing Marshall well and also fulfilling their dreams of becoming a professional soccer player."
Rodrigues dos Santos registered 35 points, third in the nation, on 15 goals, fourth in the country, and five assists in 24 matches, including 23 starts. The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has tallied 10 goals in his last 12 matches including seven goal contributions in the 2024 NCAA Tournament with a pair of goals against Furman, a pair of goals against NC State and a goal with a pair of assists at SMU. The senior was also a MAC Hermann Semifinalist, a United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American, USC First-Team All-Southeast Region and an All-Sun Belt Conference First-Team honoree.
Fujita saw action in 21 matches with 15 starts playing in 1,252 minutes. The native of Nara, Japan, played on a defensive backline that produced 11 clean sheets and gave up just 20 goals. The sophomore tallied assists against Cal State Fullerton (Aug. 22) and Georgia Southern (Oct. 23) with a goal at Georgia State (Oct. 27).
Vukovic made 10 starts across 21 matches played with 941 minutes on the pitch. The Nova Pazova, Serbia, native registered four points on a goal and two assists. The senior defender tallied his goal in the season opener against Cal State Fullerton (Aug. 22) with his assists coming against Old Dominion (Sept. 29) and at Kentucky (Nov. 1).
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall men's soccer, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall men's soccer team.
For all the latest information about Marshall men's soccer, follow @herdmsoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Men's Soccer saw three student-athletes selected in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft on Friday afternoon after the team's run to the 2024 College Cup Championship.
Senior Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos was selected with 29th overall pick in the first round by Real Salt Lake while sophomore Takahiro Fujita was selected with 87th overall pick in the third round by Orlando and Aleksandar Vukovic being selected with the 89th overall pick in the third round joining Rodrigues dos Santos with Real Salt Lake.
"Always great to see our players drafted," Herd Men's Soccer Head Coach Chris Grassie said. "Each MLS team is looking for something different, so the hard work of earning a contract will begin in earnest for them now. We also have other seniors who have been offered professional contracts outside of those MLS teams, so congrats to that whole class for representing Marshall well and also fulfilling their dreams of becoming a professional soccer player."
Rodrigues dos Santos registered 35 points, third in the nation, on 15 goals, fourth in the country, and five assists in 24 matches, including 23 starts. The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has tallied 10 goals in his last 12 matches including seven goal contributions in the 2024 NCAA Tournament with a pair of goals against Furman, a pair of goals against NC State and a goal with a pair of assists at SMU. The senior was also a MAC Hermann Semifinalist, a United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American, USC First-Team All-Southeast Region and an All-Sun Belt Conference First-Team honoree.
Fujita saw action in 21 matches with 15 starts playing in 1,252 minutes. The native of Nara, Japan, played on a defensive backline that produced 11 clean sheets and gave up just 20 goals. The sophomore tallied assists against Cal State Fullerton (Aug. 22) and Georgia Southern (Oct. 23) with a goal at Georgia State (Oct. 27).
Vukovic made 10 starts across 21 matches played with 941 minutes on the pitch. The Nova Pazova, Serbia, native registered four points on a goal and two assists. The senior defender tallied his goal in the season opener against Cal State Fullerton (Aug. 22) with his assists coming against Old Dominion (Sept. 29) and at Kentucky (Nov. 1).
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall men's soccer, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall men's soccer team.
For all the latest information about Marshall men's soccer, follow @herdmsoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
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