The San Jose Earthquakes went defensive with their first-round pick in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft at the Indiana Convention Center, selecting Georgetown center back Tommy Muller at No. 15 overall. The club added University of San Diego midfielder Dan Delgado in the second round, capping their draft day experience.
Muller, 21, captained a Georgetown squad that reached the 2012 NCAA College Cup Final in Hoover, Ala. The 5-foot-11 center back was a three-year starter, scoring four goals and recording four assists in 64 career appearances. He was an All-Big East Third Team selection in 2012.
"It's a huge honor to be taken. I've always dreamed of being here and playing in MLS so I'm very excited," Muller said. "I told people that I wanted to move to the West Coast and so now it looks like I'll have that chance."
As a youth player, Muller was a two-time member of the Super Y Olympic Developmental Program National Team. He also played 13 seasons with club team Orlando FC.
"Tommy is an athletic, very versatile player. He stood out to us at the MLS Player Combine and we look forward to having him in camp with our club," said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop.
With Honduran national teamer Victor Bernardez and veteran Jason Hernandez the incumbents for San Jose at center back, Muller figures to slot in as a back up. The club could use the depth with additional games on the schedule due to CONCACAF Champions League and the U.S. Open Cup.
Later in the day, the Earthquakes took Delgado at No. 33 overall. The Torero had a breakout year in 2012, notching nine goals and 10 assists while being named to the NSCAA All-Far West Region First Team. He led USD to the 2012 NCAA College Cup Quarterfinals, scoring one goal and assisting on five before his squad bowed out 3-1 against Georgetown.
The left-footed midfielder could see action in the middle or on wing. An attack-minded option, he will compete for time behind San Jose’s pack of talented midfielders.
“We had Dan in our local combine and liked him,” Yallop said. “His style of play fits in with what we’re trying to do and we’re excited to see him next week.”
All told, Delgado has 15 goals and 23 assists in 72 appearances during four years at USD. He was the West Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2011 and received All-WCC honors three times.
San Jose will open camp on Monday at the club's training facility. For a full preseason schedule, click here.
Tommy Muller
Position: Defender
Height: 5-11
Weight: 168 lbs.
Born: April 4, 1991 in Orlando, Fla.
Hometown: Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Last Club: N/A
College: Georgetown
Citizenship: USA
Dan Delgado
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175 lbs.
Born: Sept. 17, 1991
Hometown: Escondido, Calif.
Last Club: N/A
College: University of San Diego
Citizenship: Mexico
