Men's Soccer Trio Selected In MLS SuperDraft

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Three North Carolina men's soccer players were selected in 2025 MLS SuperDraft.

Tate Johnson (15th overall to Vancouver), Charlie Harper (38th overall to Colorado), and Riley Thomas (42nd overall to Austin) heard their names called Friday afternoon.

Friday was the 11th time the Tar Heels have three-or-more draft picks in the same year in MLS Draft history.

Johnson, a native of Tampa, Fla., started in all 17 appearances for the Tar Heels this fall during his true freshman campaign in Chapel Hill. Johnson became the first Tar Heel since Sam Williams in 2022 to make the ACC's All-Freshman Team.

Johnson logged 1,518 minutes for Carolina this season, playing the full 90 in 14 matches. The Tar Heel defender scored his first-career goal in the win over College of Charleston, also dishing out an assist against St. John's and Notre Dame.

Johnson becomes a second-generation MLS pro, joining his father, Brian, who played five seasons in the league, helping the Kansas City Wizards to a 2000 MLS Cup title.

Earlier this week, Johnson became the 10th Tar Heel since 1997 to sign a Generation Adidas deal, one of four players across the country to do so.

Harper started all 18 matches for the Tar Heels in 2024, logging 1,636 minutes of play. The Melbourne, Australia native played all but four minutes on the Tar Heel back line this fall.

During his three seasons at Carolina, Harper played in 40 matches, starting every match over the last two years.

Thomas, who became a third-team All-America honoree last week, started all 18 matches for the Tar Heels this fall.

This season, Thomas became the 51st All-America selection in program history, the first Carolina defender since Alex Comsia in 2018 to collect national recognition.

During his five seasons in Chapel Hill, the Atlanta, Ga. product started all 84 matches his appeared in. In his Carolina career, Thomas logged 9,246 minutes of action as a two-time All-ACC defender.

The Tar Heel defenders were an integral part of the Carolina back line this year, posting seven shutouts, and the second-best scoring defense in the ACC.

Players Mentioned

Charlie Harper

Tate Johnson

Riley Thomas

Sam Williams

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