BALTIMORE –
Barry Sharifi was taken by New York Red Bulls in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft on Monday, giving Loyola University Maryland men's soccer multiple selections for the first time in program history.
Sharifi was the 67th overall pick in this year's draft. He joins
Josh Fawole, who was taken by DC United in the second last Thursday. They become the third and fourth Greyhounds all-time to be chosen in the SuperDraft.
"Barry is a special player, he's one of the best I've ever coached during my time at Loyola," head coach
Steve Nichols said. "He was one of the most respected players in the Patriot League, and his numbers speak for themselves. He certainly has the ability to play and make an impact at the next level."
The first player in Patriot League men's soccer history to receive three major postseason awards, Sharifi was named the conference's Midfielder of the Year in each of his final three seasons. He earned starts in 67 of his 71 collegiate appearances, totaling 19 goals and 19 assists while helping Loyola top the Patriot League regular season standings from 2017-19.
Sharifi was honored as a third team United Soccer Coaches All-America selection in 2018, and he was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List prior to his senior season in 2019. Other accolades include four All-Patriot League honors (first team from 2017-19), three United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region selections (first team in 2018, 2019) and eight Patriot League Midfielder of the Week awards.
Sharifi trained at the Red Bulls Academy during his high school years, and he was a member of the club's U23 team this past summer. Other former Loyola players taken in the SuperDraft include Milos Kocic (2009) and Christof Lindenmayer (2000, 2002).
"I want to thank Josh, Barry and the rest of our senior class," Nichols said. "They took our program from the bottom of the Patriot League to a level where we can compete with anyone in the country. We couldn't have done it without them."
The Greyhounds went 41-23-7 during Sharifi's four years with the program, including a 27-6-3 mark against Patriot League opponents.
The MLS SuperDraft consisted of four rounds, with the final two taking place on Monday afternoon. Loyola accounted for two of the Patriot League's three selections; Army West Point's Zac McGraw chosen by the Portland Timbers one pick after Sharifi.
