Kiwis at US Colleges

The 2023 MLS SuperDraft, not far away on 21st December (is usually in January).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_MLS_SuperDraft

No Kiwis that I can see amongst the predicted 58 names in this mock Draft.
https://www.draftutopia.com/2023mlsmockdraftround1.html

St Louis City is the latest MLS expansion club for 2023.

Heard from a source close to him that Boyd Curry might be putting his name forward

mrsmiis

Heard from a source close to him that Boyd Curry might be putting his name forward

I was wondering if he would. Without having really watched him, he has good credentials. He missed about 550 minutes this season, I assume with injury, which probably cost him conference First-Team honours, though he did get Second-Team. His former St Mary's teammate Sebastian Schacht went undrafted last year, as the only NZer in it.

Schacht might fancy another draft, given he spent his extra year of NCAA eligibility playing in the strongest soccer conference, the ACC. Xavier Green might be another senior who could apply, given he did well for Ohio State in the Big 10. If undrafted, they can always do as Schacht did and play a fifth-year, which would normally not be allowed, but has been permitted due to the season lost to Covid. 

With the final selection teams named, the men's D1 All-America, here's an update on the New Zealanders named in teams since the previous.

In the NAIA, I could only find one New Zealander getting conference honours, that being Andrew Pasang (Cascade Conference Second Team).

In NCAA D2, a few players received conference honours, and a couple got region honours:
Micaiah Papa (Great Lakes Intercollegiate AC Honourable Mention)
Mason Stearn (Great Lakes Valley Conf Third Team)
Seth Ward (Great Lakes Valley Conf Second Team)
John Clout (Great Lakes Valley Conf Second Team)
Lockie Fay (Pennsylvania State AC Second Team)
Rob Dymond (Peach Belt Conf Second Team)
Calum Murdoch (Lone Star Conf Freshmen Team and Freshman of the Year)
Max Collingwood (Rocky Mountain AC First Team and Goalkeeper of the Year)
Rayhan Carlson-Du Toit (Rocky Mountain AC First Team and Player of the Year)
Stephen Sprowson (Central Atlantic Collegiate Conf First Team and All-East Region Second Team)
Declan Viljoen (Great American Conf First Team and All-Central Region First Team)

In the women's D1 only three players got conference honours:
Genevieve Ryan (Metro Atlantic AC Third Team)
Stella Lawson (Conference USA Third Team and Freshmen Team)
Emma Clarke (American AC Second Team)

[Bit surprising Ava Collins and Gabi Rennie, who both got FF call ups, didn't manage any, Rennie didn't even manage a single goal in 13 games yet played striker against Korea]

In men's D1, the last few conferences named their teams:
Boyd Curry (West Coast Conf Second Team)
Willem Ebbinge (Ivy League First Team)
Finn Ballard-McBride (Big West First Team and Offensive Player of the Year)

Also a couple region honours:
Kieran Richards (All-South Region [ACC, SoCon, Big South conferences] Third Team)
Willem Ebbinge (All-Northeast Region [Ivy, AmEast, NEC] Second Team)
Finn Ballard-McBride (All-Far West Region [Pac-12, WAC, Big West] First Team
Ronan Wynne (All-West Region [Summit, MVC, WCC] First Team)
 
[Ballard-McBride has his hometown listed as Sydney and is described as Australian, but his bio at UCSB says he was involved in NZ (and Aus) U20 NT camps, so felt it was worth including. The award document also lists Ebbinge's hometown as Queenstown, New England, so room for improvements]

Unfortunately, no New Zealanders received All-America at any level, as has been the case since 2019, when Joe Bell got First Team and Noah Billingsley Third Team.

carlind

With the final selection teams named, the men's D1 All-America, here's an update on the New Zealanders named in teams since the previous.

In the NAIA, I could only find one New Zealander getting conference honours, that being Andrew Pasang (Cascade Conference Second Team).

In NCAA D2, a few players received conference honours, and a couple got region honours:
Micaiah Papa (Great Lakes Intercollegiate AC Honourable Mention)
Mason Stearn (Great Lakes Valley Conf Third Team)
Seth Ward (Great Lakes Valley Conf Second Team)
John Clout (Great Lakes Valley Conf Second Team)
Lockie Fay (Pennsylvania State AC Second Team)
Rob Dymond (Peach Belt Conf Second Team)
Calum Murdoch (Lone Star Conf Freshmen Team and Freshman of the Year)
Max Collingwood (Rocky Mountain AC First Team and Goalkeeper of the Year)
Rayhan Carlson-Du Toit (Rocky Mountain AC First Team and Player of the Year)
Stephen Sprowson (Central Atlantic Collegiate Conf First Team and All-East Region Second Team)
Declan Viljoen (Great American Conf First Team and All-Central Region First Team)

In the women's D1 only three players got conference honours:
Genevieve Ryan (Metro Atlantic AC Third Team)
Stella Lawson (Conference USA Third Team and Freshmen Team)
Emma Clarke (American AC Second Team)

[Bit surprising Ava Collins and Gabi Rennie, who both got FF call ups, didn't manage any, Rennie didn't even manage a single goal in 13 games yet played striker against Korea]

In men's D1, the last few conferences named their teams:
Boyd Curry (West Coast Conf Second Team)
Willem Ebbinge (Ivy League First Team)
Finn Ballard-McBride (Big West First Team and Offensive Player of the Year)

Also a couple region honours:
Kieran Richards (All-South Region [ACC, SoCon, Big South conferences] Third Team)
Willem Ebbinge (All-Northeast Region [Ivy, AmEast, NEC] Second Team)
Finn Ballard-McBride (All-Far West Region [Pac-12, WAC, Big West] First Team
Ronan Wynne (All-West Region [Summit, MVC, WCC] First Team)
 
[Ballard-McBride has his hometown listed as Sydney and is described as Australian, but his bio at UCSB says he was involved in NZ (and Aus) U20 NT camps, so felt it was worth including. The award document also lists Ebbinge's hometown as Queenstown, New England, so room for improvements]

Unfortunately, no New Zealanders received All-America at any level, as has been the case since 2019, when Joe Bell got First Team and Noah Billingsley Third Team.

Blair Currie (GK) - Spring Arbor University, Michigan.
NAIA Women's Championship Winners, Currie named Defensive Player of the Tournament, and NAIA All American (First Team)
https://www.naia.org/sports/wsoc/2022-23/Releases/WSOC_AA_12_7_22_Release

MLS Draft List of available players can be seen HERE. Draft begins 11am NZT Thursday Dec 22nd. Should be live on Youtube. 

Kiwi names on the list: 
Ballard McBride, Finn - Forward - University of California Santa Barbara (Aussie/Kiwi - previosuly been selected in NZ Youth teams)
Green, Xavier - Midfielder - Ohio State University

If I have missed others, my apologies 

No Kiwis picked up in the Draft.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2023/draft-tracker

Guessing these guys are off to Collge.

Missing these two amazing footballers already- call home anytime! All the best on your next chapter in life ⚽️ 📕 🏫 @ReedyDunn @RyanHarrison3 pic.twitter.com/vSr10fRYLq

— Olé Football Academy (@TheOleWay) August 6, 2023

All the best Noah! @BakerMenSoccer pic.twitter.com/MWoBJiWGFP

— Olé Football Academy (@TheOleWay) August 7, 2023

Another one, guess we'll be seeing a wave of them depart for the US. If indeed they haven't left already. Shaping up to be a lot of young Kiwi's in the USA this college season.

No idea of the Division or standard etc but a mate of mine from Dunedin's lad, Jamie LeComte is at his second American College, playing for the Madison College 'Wolfpack' in Wisconsin, after having his previous year at a school in Nebraska. 

https://madisoncollegeathletics.com/news/2023/9/11/mens-soccer-wolfpack-unable-to-hold-slim-lead-in-draw-with-ivcc.aspx

Jamie LeComte - https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/football/young-midfielder-heading-nebraska-play-college

Sam Brotherton plays for Forward Madison in the USL League One. Having previously gone to the University of Wisconsin–Madison ('Wisconsin Badgers').

2024 Super Draft (83 picks) is in 10 days, December 20th (NZT). Any Kiwi College kids in with a shot?

https://www.soccerwire.com/news/mls-expands-eligibility-for-2024-superdraft-opening-door-for-younger-college-players/
For the first time in league history, the list of players eligible for selection in MLS SuperDraft 2024 may now include collegiate sophomores and juniors, in addition to previously draft-eligible groups.

Someone's had a go at a mock draft below, for the 1st two rounds (picks up to no 58)
https://draftutopia.com/2024mlsmockdraftround2.html

FYI - Columbus Crew were 2023 MLS Cup champions. Beat LAFC 2-1 in the final in Columbus.

Any Kiwis in here?

Major League Soccer has announced the list of nearly 400 players who are eligible for selection in the MLS SuperDraft 2024 presented by Adidas on Tuesday, December 19 (3 pm ET)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/news/mls-superdraft-2024-eligible-players

https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/news/mls-superdraft-2024-presented-by-adidas-how-to-watch-what-to-know

coochiee

Any Kiwis in here?

Major League Soccer has announced the list of nearly 400 players who are eligible for selection in the MLS SuperDraft 2024 presented by Adidas on Tuesday, December 19 (3 pm ET)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/news/mls-superdraft-2024-eligible-players

https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/news/mls-superdraft-2024-presented-by-adidas-how-to-watch-what-to-know

None that I can see at first glance. Have typed in/searched up a few names and no hits, but this was all a very quick check last night. 

I'll have a closer look today at work. Unless Carlin beats me to it first. 👀

Fwiw, it sounds like a lot of the US college guys that are coming to the end of their college days will either end up in National League or NPL setups down this part of the world over the next wee while.

2024 Super Draft completed.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2024/draft-tracker

Four Kiwis in the seeded sides (1-16) of the 48 teams that have qualified for the upcoming NCAA Division One Men's Soccer Championship.

Ronan Wynne & Keegan Kelly (Denver - 3rd seed)
Owen Barnett (Hofstra - 7th seed)
Willem Ebbinge (Virginia - 11th seed)

Screenshot_2024-11-20-00-14-57-41_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 795.91 KB

Also seen a few Kiwi lads now who have picked up accolades for their college seasons as well.  Will see if I can find them all. 

MLS Superdraft on December 20th as well, so will be interesting to see if there are any Kiwi names in that list this year.

Ebbinge is an interesting one. Was at Harvard last year, and it almost seemed he was focussing more on his studies than sport. Transferred to Virginia this year for football reasons?

Captained NZU22s at last year's OFC Olympics qualifying tourney.

Been awhile since a Kiwi was drafted into the MLS. Was common there for a number of years. Calvin Harris would be the closest thing to a NZ raised talent drafted in recent years??

Interesting 30 min chat with 23 yr old Ronan Wynne, and his NZ based agent (organises US College scholarships). From December last year.

Wynne talks briefly about his time with the Phoenix, and then his time at College at Denver. He tore his achilles in Colorado last year post OFC U22s Olympics qualifying in NZ.

Sounds like he wants to stay Stateside once College finishes, and try get a pro gig. USL contract a likely target you'd think. But yeah the chat was filmed a year ago. Keegan Kelly (another who was in that NZ U22 team last year) was just about to join him in Denver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uganRAyO1XU

Maybe just me, but found the agent who sends kids to US Colleges, annoying. Bro this bro that. Just sounds unprofessional for a guy sending kids to US Colleges. Plus of course calling football, soccer. But hey maybe that's just me.

Wynne was one of those who picked up accolades for his play this season - Defensive player of the year in the Summit League for the 2nd time in his college career, after winning it for the first time in 2022.

They have a strong football programme in Denver (which is probably why Keegan Kelly is there too) so you'd think he'd be a strong candidate to go further in the game outside of college football. 

I'm not sure of all the ins and outs of getting onto the list for the MLS Superdraft, but putting together an excellent college career at a highly ranked school (albeit with one injury ravaged year in between) it's probably not beyond the realms of possibility that his name might crop up over the next month or so. From a quick Google search Denver seems to have a pretty good record of having players picked up as well. Guess we wait and see.

Kelly nets his fourth of the season and his second of the @NCAASoccer Tournament.
📺: @ESPNPlus #GoPios pic.twitter.com/qnjo8Zl7MK

— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) November 30, 2024

Keegan Kelly's goal is enough to send Denver through to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Div I College Cup over in the US. Finished 1-0 v Indiana.

They'll take on the winner of Virginia or UMass next weekend to see who goes through to the semi finals.

HEADER ➡️ BACKFLIP 🤯#NCAASoccer x 🎥 ESPN+ / @DU_MSoccer pic.twitter.com/a1ZOgqY4L8

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 7, 2024

Ronan Wynne goal + celebration for Denver v UMass, as Denver roll on to the College Cup semi-finals in North Carolina.

Next up - Vermont (unseeded) next weekend 13th/14th with a possible final only a few days afterwards if they make it.

PIOS PUNCH THEIR TICKET 🎟️

(3) @DU_MSoccer defeats UMass, 3-0, to advance to the 2024 Men's College Cup in Cary, NC. #MCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/pJSpqOpI3t

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 7, 2024

Should also add.

If Denver progress to the final (I think it's on the 16/17th) then Ronan Wynne and Keegan Kelly could be the first Kiwis to play the NCAA Championship game since one Joe Bell (2019 - Virginia).

MLS Draft to happen early Saturday NZ time.

In this Mock Draft Ronan Wynne comes high at no 25 (1st Round)
No other Kiwis mentioned as far as I can tell.

https://draftutopia.com/2025mlsmockdraftround1.html

Full MLS Superdraft eligible player list. 477 players representing 150 different schools.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/news/mls-superdraft-2025-eligible-players

Ronan Wynne is there.
But no Keegan Kelly, Owen Barnett or Willem Ebbinge.

Any other Kiwis listed?

coochiee

MLS Draft to happen early Saturday NZ time.

In this Mock Draft Ronan Wynne comes high at no 25 (1st Round)
No other Kiwis mentioned as far as I can tell.

https://draftutopia.com/2025mlsmockdraftround1.html

Has been included in the 477 strong list of eligible players for the MLS Superdraft.

I'm not posting the whole list, but you can look through the list on the link below - Had a quick look through and am pretty sure there are no other Kiwi's on there from what I can see.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/news/mls-superdraft-2025-eligible-players

This was posted a couple of weeks back too.

Top College Prospects from the Asia and Oceania Regions —

For the international player prospect lists, I'm breaking them out into regional team sheets. Four players were selected from these regions in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft including Hosei Kijima and Yutaro Tsukada. Given their… pic.twitter.com/PoINrcCHjj

— Mark Kelkenberg (@MarkKelkenberg) November 25, 2024

Reading some other stuff seems yes Ronan Wynne will likely be drafted. Maybe joining Boxall at Minnesota 

Wynne plays RB mostly

Wynne not in the 1st Round (picks 1-30)

Drafted by Atlanta United!

2nd Round, 23rd pick, 53rd overall.

By my count he becomes the 13th Kiwi to be picked up in MLS Superdraft history.

Good luck to him

But who is the last Kiwi drafted who has actually made a real career of it in the MLS?

Seems of recent times most haven’t done much. You’d think he will spend most of 2025 with Atlanta’s 2nd team in MLS Next Pro

coochiee

Good luck to him

But who is the last Kiwi drafted who has actually made a real career of it in the MLS?

Seems of recent times most haven’t done much. You’d think he will spend most of 2025 with Atlanta’s 2nd team in MLS Next Pro

Probably harking all the way back to Ryan Nelsen and Duncan Oughton who were the first two Kiwis ever drafted via the Superdraft to be honest. Although others like Elliot Collier and Francis de Vries have at least made a career in the game.

Doesn't take away from the fact that he's got a foot in the door though. A fantastic opportunity for the lad.

Actually googling M Boxall, he was drafted by Vancouver in 2011. And he's gone full circle, Nix-SuperSport (Sth Africa)-Minnesota to have great MLS career.

Yipe good luck to Wynne junior, that first pro gig always an exciting time.

coochiee

Actually googling M Boxall, he was drafted by Vancouver in 2011. And he's gone full circle, Nix-SuperSport (Sth Africa)-Minnesota to have great MLS career.

Yipe good luck to Wynne junior, that first pro gig always an exciting time.

Yeah he was through the Supplemental draft iirc. Still a fantastic career he's made for himself over there though.

The 2025 NCAA Division I men’s soccer season is officially underway, and it looks like college football has kicked off today. I’ve gone through older Transfermarkt data to track players, so some may have returned home, and a few could be wrong, but several names have already popped up in today's lineups
 
 

Division I Players to Watch:

 

Oscar Hough – Central Midfield, Belmont Bruins (MVC) – has played 6 games and provided 2 assists.

Joby Reid – Right Winger, HCU Huskies (Southland Conference) – has played 6 games, scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists.

William Gregory – Centre-Back, Saint Leo University (Sunshine State Conference, DII) – has played 3 games with no goals or assists.

Dan McKay – Central Midfield, Utah Valley Wolverines (WAC) – has played 6 games, scoring 2 goals.

Hayden Aish – Attacking Midfield, Jacksonville Dolphins (ASUN) – has played 7 games with no goals or assists.

Will Pierce – Attacking Midfield, Fairfield Stags (MAAC) – has played 6 games, scoring 1 goal.

Rangihaeata, Kaea – Central Midfield, Fairfield Stags (MAAC) – has played 5 games, providing 1 assist.

Keegan Kelly – Centre-Forward, Denver Pioneers (Summit League) – has played 7 games, providing 1 assist.

Adam Watson – Centre-Forward, Butler Bulldogs (Big East) – has played 7 games with no goals or assists.

Daniel Makowem – Centre-Forward, Stetson Hatters (ASUN) – has played 3 games, providing 1 assist.

 

Dan McKay opens his UVU account in style! 👀😮‍💨#GoUVU | #ValleyForged pic.twitter.com/dMM1kSofBL

— #16 Utah Valley Men's Soccer (@UVUmsoc) September 5, 2025

 

Dan McKay puts the finishing touches on 𝘼𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙍 Wolverine win 🙂‍↕️#GoUVU | #ValleyForged | #WACmsoc pic.twitter.com/AZbdacFqqe

— #16 Utah Valley Men's Soccer (@UVUmsoc) September 16, 2025

 

Will Pierce flies in for the header on the third assist of the day for Cameron Gerber!

📺 @ESPNPlus
🎥 https://t.co/4sfONycUIC
📊 https://t.co/2mdiQDpjZs

🤘⚽️ pic.twitter.com/BE8ku1pI4a

— Fairfield Soccer (@StagsMensSoccer) August 26, 2025

Oscar Hough – Central Midfield, Belmont Bruins (MVC) – has played 8 games and provided 2 assists.

Joby Reid – Right Winger, HCU Huskies (Southland Conference) – has played 10 games, scoring 2 goal and providing 3 assists.

William Gregory – Centre-Back, Saint Leo University (Sunshine State Conference, DII) – has played 4 games with no goals or assists.

Dan McKay – Central Midfield, Utah Valley Wolverines (WAC) – has played 8 games, scoring 2 goals.

Hayden Aish – Attacking Midfield, Jacksonville Dolphins (ASUN) – has played 9 games 3 starts

Will Pierce – Attacking Midfield, Fairfield Stags (MAAC) – has played 10 games, scoring 1 goal.

Rangihaeata, Kaea – Central Midfield, Fairfield Stags (MAAC) – has played 9 games, providing 1 goal and 1 assist.

Keegan Kelly – Centre-Forward, Denver Pioneers (Summit League) – has played 7 games, providing 1 assist.

Adam Watson – Centre-Forward, Butler Bulldogs (Big East) – has played 10 games with no goals or assists.

Daniel Makowem – Centre-Forward, Stetson Hatters (ASUN) – has played 6 games, providing 1 goal 2 assist.

Kaea Rangihaeata first goal of the year https://t.co/MMhE2kTqZz

— Jamaiah (@hutcho137) October 7, 2025

🚨 HATTERS GOAL! 🚨

Daniel Makowem nets his first goal as a Hatter! Stetson leads 3-1 in the second half!#GoHatters | @StetsonHatters

— Stetson Men's Soccer (@StetsonMSoccer) September 28, 2025

A little bit forgotten about, but Owen Barnett is still at NCAA Division 1 level with Hofstra (ranked 34th, just ahead of Keegan Kelly & Denver - 35th).

Screenshot_20251009_111513_Instagram.jpg 431.92 KB

Also played USL2 level before the college season with Sarasota Paradise, who are themselves making the jump to the pro game in 2026 with a move to the USL1.