Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Utah Tech on October 23, 2025 , Tie , 2, to, 2
M Soccer
vs Utah Tech
T 2-2
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Luala drafted in 1st round by San Diego FC
12/18/2025 1:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer
GCU junior midfielder picked at No. 28 in MLS SuperDraft
One of the key pieces to Grand Canyon's success in 2025 is heading to the next level.
Junior midfielder Martin Luala was selected 28th overall in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, becoming the fifth Lopes player to be taken in the SuperDraft and the third GCU player to be chosen in the first round.
When Luala entered the fold at GCU prior to this season, he quickly became a vital piece to the midfield, showcasing his ability to set up an offense that scored 43 goals and registered 42 assists. Luala was a mainstay in the lineup, totaling the second-most minutes played of any Lope (1,864) while starting in all 22 matches.
The Phoenix native and Washington High School alumnus tallied one goal, two assists, seven shots and three shots on goal for a team that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, the farthest round that any Lopes team has reached in the program's Division I era.
Luala joined GCU via nearby Phoenix College, where he earned United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division II Men's All-America second team and National Junior College Athletic Associaiton Division II all-region first team in 2024. His efforts there helped the Golden Bears achieve a 17-4-1 record and the No. 4 seed in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Luala joins Esai Easley (2022), Justin Rasmussen (2022), Amer Sasivarevic (2018) and Niki Jackson (2018) as GCU players who were picked in the MLS SuperDraft. Luala's 28th overall selection marks the third highest of the GCU selections.
Luala goes from one of the best college teams in the nation to one of the best teams in Major League Soccer. San Diego FC, founded in May 2023, finished first in the Western Conference standings this year and reached the conference finals after a 19-6-9 regular season. Â
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Junior midfielder Martin Luala was selected 28th overall in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, becoming the fifth Lopes player to be taken in the SuperDraft and the third GCU player to be chosen in the first round.When Luala entered the fold at GCU prior to this season, he quickly became a vital piece to the midfield, showcasing his ability to set up an offense that scored 43 goals and registered 42 assists. Luala was a mainstay in the lineup, totaling the second-most minutes played of any Lope (1,864) while starting in all 22 matches.
The Phoenix native and Washington High School alumnus tallied one goal, two assists, seven shots and three shots on goal for a team that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, the farthest round that any Lopes team has reached in the program's Division I era.
Luala joined GCU via nearby Phoenix College, where he earned United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division II Men's All-America second team and National Junior College Athletic Associaiton Division II all-region first team in 2024. His efforts there helped the Golden Bears achieve a 17-4-1 record and the No. 4 seed in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Luala joins Esai Easley (2022), Justin Rasmussen (2022), Amer Sasivarevic (2018) and Niki Jackson (2018) as GCU players who were picked in the MLS SuperDraft. Luala's 28th overall selection marks the third highest of the GCU selections.
Luala goes from one of the best college teams in the nation to one of the best teams in Major League Soccer. San Diego FC, founded in May 2023, finished first in the Western Conference standings this year and reached the conference finals after a 19-6-9 regular season. Â
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Players Mentioned
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