CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A trio of Cavaliers were selected in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday (Dec. 19). Center back Aidan O’Connor (New York Red Bulls) and forward Stephen Annor (Houston Dynamo) were each selected in the first round. Leo Afonso, Virginia’s three-time captain, was selected in the second round by Inter Miami.
2024 Virginia MLS SuperDraft Picks
D – Aidan O’Connor – New York Red Bulls – Round 1 (12th overall)
F – Stephen Annor – Houston Dynamo – Round 1 (26th overall)
F – Leo Afonso – Inter Miami – Round 2 (32nd overall)
Throughout George Gelnovatch’s 28-year tenure, UVA has produced 34 MLS SuperDraft picks since its inception in 2000. With Virginia’s three selections in the 2024 draft, 16 Cavaliers have been taken in the draft since 2018. UVA has had at least one player selected in five of the last seven drafts.
Aidan O’Connor, a center back from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the cornerstone of Virginia’s defense in 2023. A towering, athletic presence at the heart of Virginia’s back line, O’Connor was crucial in keeping six clean sheets for a Virginia team that held its opponents to 0.95 goals per game.
A reliable player on the ball, O’Connor made his presence felt in the Virginia attack as well, providing a game-winning assist in a 1-0 victory over North Carolina in Virginia’s regular-season finale.
In two seasons at Virginia, O’Connor appeared in 31 matches while making 27 starts while scoring one goal and a pair of assists.
𝘿𝙍𝘼𝙁𝙏𝙀𝘿.
Aidan O’Connor is headed to @NewYorkRedBulls as the 12th overall pick in @MLS SuperDraft!#GoHoos⚔️ pic.twitter.com/g9sW1bZKHQ
— Virginia Men’s Soccer (@UVAMenSoccer) December 19, 2023
Stephen Annor, one of two collegiate freshmen to sign a Generation adidas contract earlier today, was named a 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-American in 2023 after leading UVA with 10 goals on the year. Annor became just the fourth UVA freshman to receive the honor joining the likes of Claudio Reyna (1991), Tony Meola (1988) and Jeff Agoos (1986). The first Cavalier to record double-digit goals since Daryl Dike in 2019, he was named the 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year while earning a spot on the All-ACC First Team.
𝐇-𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 🚀
Stephen Annor is selected 26th overall by @HoustonDynamo in @MLS SuperDraft!#GoHoos⚔️ pic.twitter.com/57v5eflcYd
— Virginia Men’s Soccer (@UVAMenSoccer) December 19, 2023
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