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MSOC
6 p.m.
James Madison
vs Cape Fear Community College (Exhibition)
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Clegg Drafted 85th Overall by Portland in MLS SuperDraft
12/21/2022 8:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison men's soccer defender Tyler Clegg became the eighth player in program history to be drafted to Major League Soccer, as he was selected 85th overall by the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
Clegg joins Kurt Morsink (2007, Kansas City), Mark Totten (2007, Chicago), Nick Zimmerman (2009, New York), CJ Sapong (2010, Kansas City), Manuel Ferriol (2019, FC Dallas), Tom Judge (2021, Nashville SC) and TJ Bush (2021, Seattle) as former players to be drafted.
"The program couldn't be any more proud of Tyler and his accomplishment of being an MLS draftee," said Head Coach Paul Zazenski. "Tyler has been one of the best center backs in the country for the last few years and we are glad to see the Timbers organization saw that too. His upside in the professional game is huge considering he is relatively new to the position. We will miss seeing Tyler in a JMU uniform and we wish him the best of luck in his professional endeavors!"
The Woodbridge, Va. native finished his five-year career playing and starting in 19 matches during the 2022 campaign, earning All-Southeast Region Third Team honors. He was second on the team with five goals and added an assist for a total of 11 points, the third most on the team. He anchored a backline that produced seven shutouts and helped the Dukes make a run to the championship match as the seventh seed in the Sun Belt Conference Championship.
A three-year captain, Clegg played in 78 matches with 54 starts as he helped the Dukes win three consecutive Colonial Athletic Association titles from 2018-20. He is a two-time All-Region selection, a three-time All-Conference selection and the 2021 Virginia Sports Information Directors Defensive Player of the Year. Clegg aided on the offensive side of the ball, recording 26 points between four assists and 11 goals. On the defensive side of the ball, Clegg was a mainstay on the backline, as JMU recorded shutouts in 37 of 78 matches that he played in.
Clegg joins Kurt Morsink (2007, Kansas City), Mark Totten (2007, Chicago), Nick Zimmerman (2009, New York), CJ Sapong (2010, Kansas City), Manuel Ferriol (2019, FC Dallas), Tom Judge (2021, Nashville SC) and TJ Bush (2021, Seattle) as former players to be drafted.
"The program couldn't be any more proud of Tyler and his accomplishment of being an MLS draftee," said Head Coach Paul Zazenski. "Tyler has been one of the best center backs in the country for the last few years and we are glad to see the Timbers organization saw that too. His upside in the professional game is huge considering he is relatively new to the position. We will miss seeing Tyler in a JMU uniform and we wish him the best of luck in his professional endeavors!"
The Woodbridge, Va. native finished his five-year career playing and starting in 19 matches during the 2022 campaign, earning All-Southeast Region Third Team honors. He was second on the team with five goals and added an assist for a total of 11 points, the third most on the team. He anchored a backline that produced seven shutouts and helped the Dukes make a run to the championship match as the seventh seed in the Sun Belt Conference Championship.
A three-year captain, Clegg played in 78 matches with 54 starts as he helped the Dukes win three consecutive Colonial Athletic Association titles from 2018-20. He is a two-time All-Region selection, a three-time All-Conference selection and the 2021 Virginia Sports Information Directors Defensive Player of the Year. Clegg aided on the offensive side of the ball, recording 26 points between four assists and 11 goals. On the defensive side of the ball, Clegg was a mainstay on the backline, as JMU recorded shutouts in 37 of 78 matches that he played in.
Players Mentioned
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