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Ulfarsson, Murphy Selected in 2022 MLS SuperDraft
1/11/2022 8:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer
DURHAM – Duke men's soccer sophomore Thorleifur Ulfarsson and senior Ian Murphy were selected in Tuesday's 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
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Ulfarsson was drafted as the fourth overall pick by Houston Dynamo FC, with Murphy following soon after as the 14th overall pick by FC Cincinnati. The duo becomes the second pair of Blue Devils under head coach John Kerr to go in the first round of the same draft since Brian White and Carter Manley did so in 2018.
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"We are ecstatic about Thor and Ian getting drafted in the top-15 of the MLS Draft," said Kerr. "They both have demonstrated their wide range of qualities on and off the field here at Duke this year. We are extremely grateful for their contributions to our program and excited to see their progress in Major League Soccer."
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Ulfarsson's selection is the highest by a Blue Devil since Jeremy Ebobisse was drafted fourth overall by the Portland Timbers in 2017. Ulfarsson becomes the sixth top-five selection in program history, dating back to the creation of an MLS College Draft in 1996. He joins Ebobisse, Andrew Wenger (2012), Ali Curtis (2001), Jay Heaps (1999) and Brian Kelly (1997).
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A native of Kopavogur, Iceland, Ulfarsson finished his Duke career with 19 goals and two assists for 40 points in 24 games. His 2021 season was one of the best in nation as he scored 15 goals and one assist en route to being named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. The striker was also named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, a first team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches and a first team All-ACC selection. In addition, Ulfarsson was the first player from the ACC selected in this year's draft.
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Murphy, a Redlands, Calif., native, played an important role in a prolific Duke defense that allowed just 23 goals in 20 games. To cap his final season, Murphy was named to the All-South Region Third Team by the United Soccer Coaches. He finished his Duke career with over 5,700 minutes played, four goals and seven assists over 69 games.
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With Murphy's selection, it gave the Blue Devils back-to-back years in which a defender was taken in the opening round of the draft, after his former teammate Aedan Stanley went 21st overall to Austin FC just a year ago.
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To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMSOC".
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#GoDuke
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Ulfarsson was drafted as the fourth overall pick by Houston Dynamo FC, with Murphy following soon after as the 14th overall pick by FC Cincinnati. The duo becomes the second pair of Blue Devils under head coach John Kerr to go in the first round of the same draft since Brian White and Carter Manley did so in 2018.
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"We are ecstatic about Thor and Ian getting drafted in the top-15 of the MLS Draft," said Kerr. "They both have demonstrated their wide range of qualities on and off the field here at Duke this year. We are extremely grateful for their contributions to our program and excited to see their progress in Major League Soccer."
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Ulfarsson's selection is the highest by a Blue Devil since Jeremy Ebobisse was drafted fourth overall by the Portland Timbers in 2017. Ulfarsson becomes the sixth top-five selection in program history, dating back to the creation of an MLS College Draft in 1996. He joins Ebobisse, Andrew Wenger (2012), Ali Curtis (2001), Jay Heaps (1999) and Brian Kelly (1997).
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A native of Kopavogur, Iceland, Ulfarsson finished his Duke career with 19 goals and two assists for 40 points in 24 games. His 2021 season was one of the best in nation as he scored 15 goals and one assist en route to being named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. The striker was also named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, a first team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches and a first team All-ACC selection. In addition, Ulfarsson was the first player from the ACC selected in this year's draft.
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Murphy, a Redlands, Calif., native, played an important role in a prolific Duke defense that allowed just 23 goals in 20 games. To cap his final season, Murphy was named to the All-South Region Third Team by the United Soccer Coaches. He finished his Duke career with over 5,700 minutes played, four goals and seven assists over 69 games.
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With Murphy's selection, it gave the Blue Devils back-to-back years in which a defender was taken in the opening round of the draft, after his former teammate Aedan Stanley went 21st overall to Austin FC just a year ago.
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMSOC".
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#GoDuke
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