BGSU Men’s Soccer junior star defender Joey Akpunonu was selected by Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati 22nd overall in round one of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft last night. 

A leader on the field for the Falcons, and one of the top defenders in the country, Akpunonu was named to the MLS 2023 Generation Adidas Class as one of the standout collegiate underclassmen. He was one of 44 players and 18 underclassmen invited to participate in the MLS College Showcase in December, where he earned his Generation Adidas contract with his performance at the showcase.

A Toledo native, Akpunonu was named to multiple awards during his impressive three-year run as a Falcon, most recently this past 2022 season. Akpunonu was named to the All-MAC First Team and the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region First Team. He was also named to the 2022 Academic All-District team as well as an Academic All-American First Team selected by the College Sports Communicators.

During the 2022 season, Akpunonu started all 16 matches for the Falcons and played every single minute, leading the Orange and Brown in goals with six on the year.

While Akpunonu is a big loss for the Falcons on and off the field, Head Coach Eric Nichols could not be happier for Akpunonu, who he has watched play and grow for the past three seasons. 

“This is great for Joey, for our program, and for BGSU,” Nichols said. “He is a true success story — a local kid that came to BGSU and earned a 4.000 GPA in the classroom while achieving amazing success on the field and ultimately becoming a first-round draft pick.”…..”It shows that we have been able to develop some talent here, but more than that, I think it shows the impact Joey has made as a model of how to go about your business. He has been an exemplary leader, not only with the work he does during training, but also before and after training, and the humility he displays.”

Akpunonu becomes the fifth-ever BGSU player selected in the MLS SuperDraft and the fourth in the last eight seasons. Most recently was Jacob Erlandson, who was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the second round (40th overall) in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Ebenezer Ackon was picked by the Chicago Fire in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2019 SuperDraft. Ryan James was chosen by Sporting Kansas City in the third round in 2016 (52nd overall). BGSU Hall-of-Famer Steve Klein was chosen in the third round (22nd overall pick) of the 1997 MLS College Draft by the New England Revolution.

A new journey awaits Akpunonu as he begins his professional career with FC Cincinnati, which leaves the Falcons now needing reinforcements to the backline as they begin a new journey in 2023 when they move to the Missouri Valley Conference next fall season. BGSU went (6-5-5) overall in the 2022 season, finishing MAC play with a (4-2-2) record and third in the conference.

To learn more about Akpunonu, visit bgsufalcons.com.