SANTA BARBARA – UCSB’s Chris Pontius was selected No. 7 overall in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday by D.C. United, the second straight year a Gaucho has been selected in the Top-10.
Pontius led UCSB with 14 goals and 32 total points last season and ranks fifth in school history for career goals. The Yorba Linda, Calif. native was in St. Louis for Thursday’s draft.
After being selected Pontius went to the podium draped in a United scarf and thanked UCSB coaches Tim Vom Steeg, Greg Wilson, Neil Jones and Stuart Dobson.
Pontius becomes the third Santa Barbara player selected in the MLS’ Top-10, following Ciaran O’Brien and Andy Iro, who were selected Nos. 5 and 6 last year.
Pontius also becomes the eighth Gaucho to become an active played in the MLS. Joining him, Iro and O’Brien in the league are Tino Nunez, Brennan Tennelle, Eric Avila, Dan Kennedy and Kyle Reynish.
Pontius was the first player from a West Coast school drafted on Thursday.
