The MLS Finals are happening tomorrow, December 9th at 4 pm EST. The Los Angeles Football Club will take on the Columbus Crew in the final showdown of 2023. Many of these talented players on both teams happened to be college athletes at some point, which can be hard to imagine. Here are 8 players playing in the MLS Finals who also played in the NCAA!
LAFC:
Ryan Hollingshead
Ryan Hollingshead played for the University of California-Los Angeles from 2009 to 2012. As a midfielder/forward, Hollingshead scored 16 goals and had 21 assists. He was named a second-team All-American, first-team All-Pac-12, Pac-12 Player of the Year, and was a team captain. Ryan Hollingshead was the 20th overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas.
Aaron Long
Aaron Long was a midfielder at the University of California-Riverside from 2010 to 2013. In his four seasons, Long scored 13 goals and had 5 assists. He started 65 out of 70 games that he played in and he was named to the All-Big West first-team. Aaron Long was the 36th overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers.
Daniel Crisostomo
Daniel Crisostomo played four seasons at the University of California-Irvine from 2015 to 2018. Crisostomo totaled 3 goals and 13 assists in his career as a midfielder. He was named to the All-Big West first team, Big West Midfielder of the Year, and the United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region third team. Daniel Crisostomo joined the MLS in 2021 when he was signed by LAFC.
John McCarthy
Before the MLS, John McCarthy was a standout goalkeeper at La Salle University from 2010 to 2013. McCarthy still holds La Salle's all-time goalkeeping records in saves (468), shutouts (28), and games played (75). He started every game he played in except for one and held an 84% save percentage. He was also named first-team Atlantic 10 All-Conference, NSCAA Scholar All-American second-team, and NSCAA All-Region third-team. McCarthy played in the USL until he was signed by Inter Miami in 2019.
Columbus Crew:
Darlington Nagbe
Darlington Nagbe played for the University of Akron from 2008 to 2010. Nagbe racked up the awards in his three seasons. He was named to the Soccer America All-Freshman first-team, All-MAC first-team, MAC Newcomer of the Year, second-team All-American, Soccer America MVP second-team, Missouri Athletics Club Hermann Trophy award winner, NSCAA first-team All-America, MAC Player of the Year, was a 2010 NCAA Champion, and named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team. Darlington Nagbe was the second overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the Portland Timbers.
Julian Gressel
Julian Gressel played four seasons at Providence College from 2013 to 2016. Gressel totaled 30 goals and 26 assists. He was named a first-team All-American, MAC Herman Trophy semifinalist, Big East Offensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Great Lakes Region. Julian Gressel was the eighth overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United. That same year, Gressel was named the MLS Rookie of the Year.
Patrick Schulte
Patrick Schulte was a goalie at St. Louis University from 2019 to 2021. In 51 games, Shulte totaled 126 saves, 22 shutouts, and finished with a 74% save percentage. He was the Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, 2x Atlantic 10 first-team All-Conference, and second-team All-Region. Patrick Schulte was the 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew.
Sean Zawadzki
Sean Zawadzki played with the Georgetown University Hoyas from 2018 to 2021. Zawadzki totaled 4 goals and 6 assists as a defender. He was named to the first-team All-Big East, was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, a 2x team captain, and a 2019 NCAA Champion. Sean Zawadzki was signed to the Columbus Crew in January of 2022.
All these players racked up the awards in their college days, and now they might be able to add MLS Finals Champion to their name! Don't miss it on Saturday!
