The Los Angeles Football Club selected two players in the MLS SuperDraft 2024 presented by adidas.
The Black & Gold picked goalkeeper Jackson Lee from West Virginia University in the first round (#28 overall) and Irvine native, defender Kenny Nielsen from Georgetown University in the second round (#57 overall).
Lee just completed a stellar senior season at West Virginia, helping lead the Mountaineers to a record 17 wins, an appearance in the College Cup, and a final number 3 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The Perth, Australia native was named to the All-Sun Belt Second Team, and the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team and played every minute in goal for the Mountaineers this season, allowing just 0.96 goals per game with a .742 save percentage and nine shutouts.
Lee holds dual citizenship between Australia and the United States and played two seasons at George Mason University (2020-2021) before transferring to West Virginia for his junior season in 2022.
The Black & Gold selected Nielsen in the second round after a sparkling senior season at Georgetown, where the Orange County product was named a Second Team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches. He was also named First Team All-East Region and recognized as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-BIG EAST selection.
Prior to Georgetown, Nielsen attended University High School in Irvine and played with Pateadores Soccer Club in Orange County. He also has played with the United States U-15 and U-17 Youth National Team.
