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Grand Canyon University Athletics
GCU lands first ever MLS draft picks
1/21/2018 1:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Sasivarevic, Jackson drafted in 3rd, 4th rounds
Recently graduated Grand Canyon men's soccer players Amer Sasivarevic and Niki Jackson represented the university's first-ever Major League Soccer draft picks on Sunday.
Sasivarevic, a defender, went in the third round (57th overall) to FC Dallas. Jackson, one of the top goal-scorers in GCU history, went in the fourth round (73rd overall) to the Colorado Rapids.
Despite the university's long history of professional soccer players, Sasivarevic and Jackson become the first two players selected in the MLS SuperDraft.
"It is a great feeling," Sasivarevic said. "I am both grateful and happy for the opportunity FC Dallas has given me. I am excited to get to work."
"I was speechless, literally," Jackson said. "This is something I've been working towards for 18 years, and now it's becoming a reality. Most importantly, thank you to the man upstairs. God has blessed me with great talent and it's all thanks to Him that I'm able to continue playing this sport I love so much."
Sasivarevic witnessed every step of the school's transition to Division I, joining the Lopes in 2013 and finishing out as a fifth-year senior in GCU's first eligible season in 2017. He appeared in 62 matches and started in 61 of them, the most among all GCU Division I players. Sasivarevic picked up his fifth career assist in a win over UC Riverside in 2017.
"First and foremost, I want to thank my mom, dad, and sister for their constant support and love," Sasivarevic said. "I would also like to thank all my coaches and teammates because, without them, this wouldn't be possible. Finally, I want to thank Grand Canyon University for a great college experience and for all it has done for me. Go Lopes!"
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Jackson leaves as GCU's most decorated Division I soccer player. He was the 2016 WAC Offensive Player of the Year after ranking third in the nation in goals per match (16 goals in 18 matches). Over his career, he logged 41 goals which ranks third in GCU soccer history and second in WAC history. Jackson was also successful off the field and in the classroom as one of 10 finalists for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award. He graduated from GCU in December.
"I want to thank my family and friends for being my biggest supporters," Jackson said. "To my teammates at GCU, thank you for always pushing me and believing in me. You'll always be my brothers. Thank you, GCU, for giving me a place to live out my passion of playing futbol. These last four years have been among some of the best of my life. All glory to God, and go Rapids!"
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Grand Canyon was one of two WAC schools to have multiple players selected in the SuperDraft. Danny Musovski and Kevin Partida (UNLV) along with Alex Roldan (Seattle U) totaled five selections for the conference, breaking its previous record of three picks in 1999.
MLS draft picks often begin their professional careers in the United Soccer League (USL). Sasivarevic's FC Dallas has an affiliation with OKC Energy, who the Lopes are set to play in a spring exhibition on Friday, March 2. Jackson's Colorado is affiliated with the Charlotte Independence.
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Sasivarevic, a defender, went in the third round (57th overall) to FC Dallas. Jackson, one of the top goal-scorers in GCU history, went in the fourth round (73rd overall) to the Colorado Rapids.
Despite the university's long history of professional soccer players, Sasivarevic and Jackson become the first two players selected in the MLS SuperDraft.
"It is a great feeling," Sasivarevic said. "I am both grateful and happy for the opportunity FC Dallas has given me. I am excited to get to work."
"I was speechless, literally," Jackson said. "This is something I've been working towards for 18 years, and now it's becoming a reality. Most importantly, thank you to the man upstairs. God has blessed me with great talent and it's all thanks to Him that I'm able to continue playing this sport I love so much."
Sasivarevic witnessed every step of the school's transition to Division I, joining the Lopes in 2013 and finishing out as a fifth-year senior in GCU's first eligible season in 2017. He appeared in 62 matches and started in 61 of them, the most among all GCU Division I players. Sasivarevic picked up his fifth career assist in a win over UC Riverside in 2017.
"First and foremost, I want to thank my mom, dad, and sister for their constant support and love," Sasivarevic said. "I would also like to thank all my coaches and teammates because, without them, this wouldn't be possible. Finally, I want to thank Grand Canyon University for a great college experience and for all it has done for me. Go Lopes!"
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Congrats to @AmerSasivarevic for his @MLS SuperDraft selection to @FCDallas. #LopesInThePros pic.twitter.com/yDdIpi4t6i
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSoccer) January 21, 2018
Jackson leaves as GCU's most decorated Division I soccer player. He was the 2016 WAC Offensive Player of the Year after ranking third in the nation in goals per match (16 goals in 18 matches). Over his career, he logged 41 goals which ranks third in GCU soccer history and second in WAC history. Jackson was also successful off the field and in the classroom as one of 10 finalists for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award. He graduated from GCU in December.
"I want to thank my family and friends for being my biggest supporters," Jackson said. "To my teammates at GCU, thank you for always pushing me and believing in me. You'll always be my brothers. Thank you, GCU, for giving me a place to live out my passion of playing futbol. These last four years have been among some of the best of my life. All glory to God, and go Rapids!"
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Congrats to @nick_jackson9! Joining @ColoradoRapids after an @MLS SuperDraft selection. #LopesInThePros pic.twitter.com/HRpR5aqAh1
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSoccer) January 21, 2018
Grand Canyon was one of two WAC schools to have multiple players selected in the SuperDraft. Danny Musovski and Kevin Partida (UNLV) along with Alex Roldan (Seattle U) totaled five selections for the conference, breaking its previous record of three picks in 1999.
MLS draft picks often begin their professional careers in the United Soccer League (USL). Sasivarevic's FC Dallas has an affiliation with OKC Energy, who the Lopes are set to play in a spring exhibition on Friday, March 2. Jackson's Colorado is affiliated with the Charlotte Independence.
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Players Mentioned
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