Brotherly Game Archive
Four Reading United alums selected in first two rounds of MLS SuperDraft
Mo Adams, Paul Marie, Frantzdy Pierrot and Thomas Barlow had their names called in Philadelphia on Friday
Reading United can add four more names to their already lengthy list of alumni drafted into Major League Soccer after four players who have spent time with the Philadelphia Union’s PDL affiliate had their name called at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday.
Mo Adams and Paul Marie both went in the first round, followed by Frantzdy Pierrot and Thomas Barlow in the second round at the annual MLS SuperDraft. The subsequent rounds being held via conference call on Sunday could add still to that number with MLS Combine invite Pablo Aguilar still left on the board.
Adams, who left Syracuse after his sophomore year to sign a Generation adidas deal with the league, went 10th to the Chicago Fire after they acquired the pick via a trade with Real Salt Lake.
“Reading United played a big part. Going to a team that was an MLS affilliate was always going to help,” the Englishman said after his name was called. “I was looking for the pro experience and exposure. I think it set me up to be in the best possible position to be here.”
Marie, who like Adams had a chance to train with Bethlehem Steel FC and the Union last summer, went 12th to the San Jose Earthquakes. The Frenchman, who starred at FIU, will join up with fellow Reading United alums Jimmy Ockford (Yardley, Pa.) and Fatai Alashe in San Jose and will likely spend time with USL affiliate Reno 1868.
Pierrot, a Haitian international out of Coastal Carolina, went 27th to the Colorado Rapids and Barlow, a Wisconsin forward who spent a summer in Reading in 2015, went 39th overall to the New York Red Bulls.