OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha midfielder Emir Alihodzic etched his name in the record book during his stellar four-year career as a Maverick. His final stat line might be the senior's best mark for the Mavericks so far: First player in program history drafted by a Major League Soccer (MLS) team.
Alihodzic was selected 54th overall in the third round by the Seattle Sounders Tuesday afternoon during the MLS College Draft.
"First, I would like to thank the Seattle organization for this opportunity," said Alihodzic. "They are one of the most popular teams in the United States. I'd also like to thank my family for all their support. I also want to thank the Maverick soccer program for my four years of growth and development. It just feels awesome to know my lifelong dream has been accomplished, but I know there is still a lot work to be done to be where I want to be."
A four-year starter for the Mavericks, Alihodzic capped his career at Omaha by tallying 10 points on four goals and two assists. The Bosnian native finished his UNO career fourth in program history with 19 career points on eight goals and three assists.
Alihodzic, a member of the NSCAA All-West region third team, helped lead the Omaha soccer program to its first-ever national ranking at No. 22 in the topdrawersoccer.com poll on Sept. 8, 2015, a ranking that the Mavericks held onto for six consecutive weeks.
"We are thrilled for Emir and wish him the best in his pursuit of a great professional career," said head coach Jason Mims. "Our guys know player development is a big emphasis in our program and it is great to see a professional organization like the Seattle Sounders selecting one of our guys."
OTHER NOTES:
- Seattle finished fourth in the Western Conference standings and were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals by FC Dallas in penalty kicks.
- The highest average attendance came from the Seattle Sounders at 44,247, which breaks the club's previous league record of 44,038 set in 2013.
- The Sounders average attendance ranks second in the Western Hemisphere, and just overtook English Premier League club Liverpool in the global rankings.
- Seattle also drafted Tony Alfaro (27th overall/CSU Dominguez Hills), Zach Mathers (35th overall/Duke), and Michael Nelson (76th overall/Old Dominion).
- The Sounders are led by former United States National Team captain Clint Dempsey and will open preseason training at the Starfire Sports complex in suburban Tukwila, Wash. on Friday, Jan. 22.
