AJ Patterson, a member of the WSU men’s soccer team, was drafted by the New York City Football Club (NYCFC) of the MLS. Patterson was drafted in the second round, 42nd overall. This is WSU’s second player drafted to the MLS in the last three years.
During his college career, Patterson was a part of teams that won more games than any other WSU team since the early 1990’s. He finished his senior season with seven goals and 14 points while starting every game.
Head coach Bryan Davis said that he saw a big chance in Patterson coming into his senior year.
“This year it came all together for him,” he said. “He really relished and owned his role as our leader, and it catapulted him to a truly different echelon of player both in our history but also in horizon league history”.
In this year’s MLS draft, there were 81 total selections over four rounds. Patterson was one of only two players to be drafted out of the Horizon League, the other being Wilfred Williams from Oakland.
Coach Davis had this to say about Patterson’s ability to play professional soccer,
“Who he is will serve him well. He works very hard. He has a great attitude about it all. He loves his craft. All of those will be imperative in his next steps”.
NYCFC beings their season on March 4th against Sporting Kansas City.
