Columbus Crew SC used the 2017 MLS SuperDraft to continue adding depth to the roster at key positions.
The Black and Gold selected defender Lalas Abubakar and attacking midfielder Niko Hansen in the first round of the draft. Abubakar went fifth overall while Hansen came off the board four picks later at nine.
2017 MLS SuperDraft: Columbus Crew SC Picks Lalas Abubakar and Niko Hansen
A local product out of the University of Dayton, Abubakar made a total of 60 starts in three years for the Flyers. He was named team defensive player of the year in both 2014 and 2015. In addition, he won Atlantic 10 Conference defender of the year honors last season.
Abubakar brings youth international experience, having played for the Ghana under-20s. The Accra native joins Harrison Afful and new designated player signing Jonathan Mensah as Ghanaian internationals on the Crew SC roster.
Hansen’s 2016 season with New Mexico was among the more dynamic from an offensive standpoint in collegiate soccer. He finished with 13 goals and helped the Lobos make the second round of the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Washington. His goal-scoring total was bested by only ten players in Division I.
The 22-year-old garnered numerous honors in college. He made Conference USA all-freshman team in 2013 while getting named a third-team NSCAA All-American as a senior. Hansen scored a total of 28 goals and added 14 assists during his collegiate career.
Columbus made no other selections during the first two rounds of the SuperDraft on Friday. Rounds three and four take place next Tuesday and will be done via conference call. Crew SC picks fifth in both rounds.
Crew SC’s preseason officially begins on January 23rd when the club travels to São Paulo, Brazil for a camp that lasts until February 8th. They’re also slated to play in the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, SC beginning February 18th.
Club badge image courtesy of Columbus Crew SC Communications.
