Missimo Selected by Philadelphia Union in MLS SuperDraft
1/19/2016 2:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer
"There are very few pure wingers around these days, and he has a real shot to make an impact," said head coach Tim Lenahan.
Missimo — who scored seven goals in his collegiate career, including five in his junior campaign — was picked 64th overall. In that junior campaign, he notched four game-winning goals, which was good for third in the Big Ten.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to have an opportunity like this," Missimo said. "I just want to thank the Philadelphia Union for giving me this opportunity as well as my family. Without their love and support, I wouldn't be where I am today. I can't wait to get up there and get to work."
He is the sixth Northwestern student-athlete to be drafted by the MLS. All of the NU players to be drafted have been recruited and developed by Wildcat head coach Tim Lenahan. The most recent former Northwestern soccer player to have been drafted was Tyler Miller, who was picked in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.The Dallas native racked up 12 career assists and was especially effective at fueling the offense in his sophomore season, recording five over the course of the campaign. In his sophomore year, he finished the season strong — racking up at least one point in six of Northwestern's final nine games, with eight points overall during the stretch.
"I want to thank Coach Lenahan and the rest of the Northwestern coaching staff during my time here for believing in me from day one," Missimo said. "These last four years have been the best four years of my life and I wouldn't be the player, and more importantly, man I am today without them."
In all, he made 76 appearances and started 56 games for the 'Cats. He also was a part of three Northwestern teams that reached the NCAA Tournament (2012, 2013 and 2014). In the 2012 season, the Wildcats recorded a Big Ten regular season championship and went all the way to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
"With Cole's pace and ability to break players down one versus one, he has a good chance to make an impact at the next level," said Lenahan. "I was back in Philadelphia over the holidays to watch Cole participate in the Union Combine and I knew that the Union head coach Jim Curtain and the rest of the coaching staff was impressed with his play. As a Philadelphia native, my one advice to Cole, who is a hardcore Dallas sports fan, is to not wear his Dallas Cowboys stuff around Philadelphia."
Northwestern in Major League Soccer
J.D. Martin - 2003 MLS Draft, goalkeeper
Brad Napper – 2006 Supplemental Draft (FC Dallas, 2nd Round)
Brad North – 2007 SuperDraft (DC United, 2nd Round)
Dave Roth – 2008 Super Draft (New York Red Bulls, 4th Round)
Mark Blades – 2010 Preseason Camp Invitee (Chicago Fire)
Matt Eliason – 2011 MLS Combine Invitee
Oliver Kupe – 2012 Supplemental Draft (Real Salt Lake, 2nd Round)
Matt Eliason – 2013 New York Red Bulls Reserve League
Chris Ritter – 2013 Homegrown Player (Chicago Fire)
Joey Calistri — 2015 Homegrown Player (Chicago Fire)
Tyler Miller — 2014 MLS SuperDraft (Seattle Sounders, 2nd Round); contract signed in 2015
Cole Missimo — 2016 MLS SuperDraft (Philadelphia Union, 4th Round)
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