LOS ANGELES – The New England Revolution made a pair of selections in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft today, adding University of Vermont forward Brian Wright in the first round (20th overall) and University of Kentucky midfielder Napo Matsoso [NAH-POE MATT-SO-SO] in the second round (31st overall). Both players are expected to join the Revolution in Foxborough for the start of preseason training on January 23. New England also holds the 75th overall pick in this year’s SuperDraft, which will resume for its third and fourth rounds via a conference call on Tuesday.
Wright, 21, was a four-year starter at Vermont making 80 total appearances and 66 starts. Wright finished his career ranked second all-time in Vermont history in scoring with 103 points, tallying 39 goals and 25 assists. In his senior season, he recorded 40 points, which set the Vermont single-season scoring record, and posted the second-highest UVM single season total with 14 goals. The UVM standout was a 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and also earned NSCAA All-America Second Team, All-East Region First Team, and America East All-Conference Team as a senior.
In 2015, Wright led the America East in scoring for a second consecutive year with 27 points, finishing second in goals (10) and assists (7). In his sophomore campaign, Wright led the America East in goals (9), goals per game (0.47), and points per game (1.11). The Ajax, Ontario native became the first Catamount since 2005 to capture America East Rookie of the Year honors after registering six goals and three assists as a freshman in 2013.
Matsoso, 22, joins the Revolution after four years as a starter at the University of Kentucky. The Lesotho international accrued 73 appearances, all starts, after graduating from St. Francis High School in Louisville, Ky. The 5’6”, 150-pound midfielder finished his career with 19 goals and 20 assists and earned three consecutive All-Conference USA First Team and NSCAA All-Southeast Region First Team nods.
As a senior in 2016, Matsoso led the Wildcats with 20 points, scoring eight goals and four assists. He captained Kentucky to the 16th overall seed and a first-round bye in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. Following the season, Matsoso was named to the NSCAA All-American Second Team. He also paced the Wildcats with 14 points during his junior season, leading the team to an undefeated 7-0-1 record in C-USA play. Prior to his Kentucky career, Matsoso played for Rovers Youth Academy in Louisville.
Originally born in Lesotho, Africa, Matsoso departed southern Africa at the age of 15 and traveled 9,000 miles to Louisville, Ky., to pursue an education and professional soccer career in the United States.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution select forward Brian Wright in the first round (20th overall) and midfielder Nap Matsoso in the second round (31st overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
