Whetting the appetite for a brand new Major League Soccer season, the 2021 MLS SuperDraft took place today with Orlando City SC making four picks overall.
After Oscar Pareja‘s Lions selected Derek Dodson, Rio Hope-Gund, Brandon Hackenberg and Andrew Pannenberg, Orlando City UK found out a little more about each individual college talent acquired in the draft.
What picks did Orlando City SC have?
Heading into the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, Orlando City SC had the 19th, 22nd and 49th overall picks.
Just under half an hour before the draft begun, Orlando City SC also acquired the 8th overall selection from Portland Timbers.
This was in exchange for a total of $100,000 in General Allocation Money – $75,000 in 2021 and $25,000 in 2022.
It was heavily anticipated that Luiz Muzzi and the Orlando City SC Front Office would be signing a depth left back in the draft as cover for João Moutinho.
However, things didn’t turn out that way.
Without further ado, here is the identity of the four college talents that Orlando City SC did get their hands on in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.
Derek Dodson – 8th pick (Round 1)
With the 8️⃣th pick in the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ @MLS #SuperDraft, @OrlandoCitySC selects @DerekDodson6 from @GUHoyasMSoccer. 🦁⚽️👍🏽
Position: ST
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Weight: 162 lbs
Date of Birth: January 1, 1998
Age: 23
Hometown: Aurora, IL
Nationality: 🇺🇸#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/y7zUIgqJcU— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 21, 2021
Rio Hope-Gund – 19th pick (Round 1)
With the 1️⃣9️⃣th pick in the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ @MLS #SuperDraft, @OrlandoCitySC selects @GUHoyasMSoccer’s Rio Hope-Gund. 🦁⚽️
Position: CB
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Weight: 170 lbs
Date of Birth: August 20, 1999
Age: 21
Hometown: New York City, NY
Nationality: 🇺🇸#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/i0Su381Tm8— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 21, 2021
Brandon Hackenberg – 22nd pick (Round 1)
With the 2️⃣2️⃣nd pick in the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ @MLS #SuperDraft, @OrlandoCitySC selects @bhackenberg3 from @PennStateMSOC. 🦁⚽️👍🏽
Position: CB
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Weight: 175 lbs
Date of Birth: July 2, 1999
Age: 21
Hometown: Palmyra, VA
Nationality: 🇺🇸#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/T7xcdukdv9— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 21, 2021
Andrew Pannenberg – 49th pick (Round 2)
With the 4️⃣9️⃣th pick in the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ @MLS #SuperDraft, @OrlandoCitySC selects @WakeMSoccer’s @AndrewPannenber. 🦁⚽️👍🏽
Position: GK
Height: 6 ft 3 in
Weight: 195 lbs
Date of Birth: September 21, 1998
Age: 22
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Nationality: 🇺🇸#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/vUNg0OEQca— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 21, 2021