BALTIMORE (January 13, 2020) – FIU men's soccer standouts Nick O'Callaghan and Andrew Booth became the second and third FIU Panthers drafted in the 2020 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft, when Orlando City SC selected O'Callaghan with the No. 57 overall pick, and Minnesota United FC selected Booth with the No. 96 overall pick.

O'Callaghan and Booth's selections mark the third Panthers to be selected in this year's SuperDraft after Daniel Gagliardi was selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the second round with the No. 32 overall pick on Friday, Jan. 9. The three selections from FIU mark one of only four programs in the nation to have at least three of its student-athletes drafted — along with Clemson, Virginia, and Indiana. Additionally, one of Indiana's draftees — Joris Ahlinvi — previously attended FIU from 2016-18, making FIU the only university to have four alumni drafted in the 2020 SuperDraft.

FIU has now had a player selected in the SuperDraft in three consecutive years, following Santiago Patino and Paul Marie — who went No. 3 overall in the 2019 SuperDraft to Orlando City SC and No. 12 overall in the 2018 SuperDraft to the San Jose Earthquakes, respectively. In addition, O'Callaghan and Booth mark the 11th and 12th FIU players taken in the MLS SuperDraft all-time.

"I could not be more thankful to be given this opportunity by Orlando City." said O'Callaghan. "I would not be in the place I am today if I did not have such a supportive family and group of friends. I could never thank my parents enough for the sacrifices they've made and all the countless hours they spent driving and sitting through practices. I'll never be able to repay them. There's a number of coaches I owe everything to because of the player and person they have helped me become — especially the coaching staff, medical staff, and administrative staff at FIU. They have all done amazing things for this program and will continue to do so with all the boys still at FIU. From the old Viper [youth soccer] days, to my time at Orlando City's Youth Academy, to Elon University and then FIU... I'm blessed to have these experiences and for meeting the people I did. Soccer has been my whole life since I was 4, and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to keep playing."

"I just want to thank all of the coaches and teammates from my time at FIU," said Booth. "It really goes without saying that none of this is possible for me without their guidance and support. I also want to congratulate Danny [Gagliardi] and Nick [O'Callaghan] for being picked [in the SuperDraft] as well.

FIU men's soccer head coach Kevin Nylen was excited upon receiving news that O'Callaghan and Booth had been selected in the SuperDraft.

"Today's a monumental day for both Nick and Andrew," said Coach Nylen. "Those two young men have worked incredibly hard, and we are all very proud of them for beginning their professional careers. To have three players selected in the 2020 MLS draft speaks volumes of everyone within our program. Today is a great day to be an FIU Panther."

Andrew Booth, the reigning Conference USA Midfielder of the Year, led FIU in points (15) and shots-on-goal (15) during the 2019 campaign. The standout senior ranked second on the squad in goals (5) and shot attempts (35) while finishing with the fourth-most assists (4). Booth ended the 2019 season ranked top-10 in Conference USA in all major offensive statistical categories. The midfielder was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 2 and also garnered College Soccer News National Team of the Week honors (Sept. 4) following a five-point output in the season's opening weekend. Booth was one of the most durable and reliable Panthers in 2019, as he logged 90-or-more minutes in 11 games and finished third on FIU in total minutes (1,492). At the conclusion of the season, Booth was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team, in addition to earning First Team All-CUSA honors.

Booth finishes his stellar FIU career having played in 65 games with 45 starts and over 4,415 minutes logged. Booth compiled a total of 23 points, seven goals, eight assists, 30 shots-on-goal, and 69 shot attempts while donning the Blue & Gold.

Nick O'Callaghan, the reigning Conference USA Co-Defensive MVP, started in all 18 games for FIU in 2019 and logged a total of 1,589 minutes, which ranked second on the team behind only goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi. A reliable iron man for FIU, O'Callaghan logged 90-or-more minutes in 15 different games and logged a full 110 minutes in five games. O' Callaghan's efforts in the backline helped FIU post five clean sheets in 2019. The standout defender earned C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 23 after logging 200 total minutes in two matches while helping FIU maintain an undefeated record. On the offensive side, O'Callaghan logged four points, including one goal and two assists. O'Callaghan was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team at the conclusion of the season, while also earning First Team All-CUSA honors, and a selection to the C-USA All-Tournament Team.

O'Callaghan concludes his exceptional FIU career having played in 19 games with 19 starts while logging a total of over 1,645 minutes played. The standout defender amassed a total of six points, two goals, and two assists while donning Blue & Gold.

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FIU's All-Time MLS Draft Selections
2020 – Andrew Booth: Fourth Round (96^thoverall) Minnesota United FC
2020 – Nick O'Callaghan: Third Round (57^thoverall) Orlando City SC
2020 – Daniel Gagliardi: Second Round (32^ndoverall) Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2019 – Santiago Patino: First Round (3^rd overall) Orlando City SC
2018 – Paul Marie: First Round (12^th overall) San Jose Earthquakes
2004 – John Pulido: Sixth Round (55^th overall) Colorado Rapids
2002 – Daouda Kante: First Round (11^th overall) D.C. United
2001 – Daouda Kante: Sixth Round (64^th overall) Miami Fusion
2001 – John Carroll: Round Six (65^th overall) Colorado Rapids
1998 – Tyrone Marshall: First Round (11^th overall) Colorado Rapids
1996 – Jeff Cassar: First Round (8^th overall) FC Dallas
1996 – Steve Ralston: Second Round (18^th overall) Tampa Bay Mutiny