Senior Midfielder Selected 18th Overall
UCLA Bruin Leo Stolz was selected in the first round of the 2015 Major League Soccer Super Draft by the New York Red Bulls.
The selection of Stolz marks the 65th player to be drafted from UCLA in the MLS Draft’s 20-year history, the most of any school in the nation. Stolz is also the 31st MLS selection in head coach Jorge Salcedo’s tenure as UCLA head coach. Overall, 70 Bruins have played in MLS in the league’s 19 years of existence, also more than any other school.
Stolz, the 2014 MAC Hermann Trophy winner and Soccer America Player of the Year, earned consensus first team All-American honors for the second-straight season from College Soccer News, the NSCAA, the Pac-12 Conference, Soccer America and Top Drawer Soccer. The two-year team captain started all 24 games for the Bruins, leading the team in goals (9) and points (24), while tying for the lead in assists (6). A native of Munich, Germany, Stolz logged 2,054 minutes and recorded points in 11 of his 24 matches. In the postseason, Stolz recorded two goals and two assists, including the overtime game-winner in the second round against San Diego on Nov. 23. Stolz was an instrumental player in the midfield for UCLA during the College Cup Final Four, earning All-Tournament team honors for his efforts.
Stolz finishes his three-year UCLA career with 20 goals, 22 assists and 62 points in 63 appearances (60 starts). The senior led the Bruins to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the College Cup Finals in 2014. Additionally, Stolz earned Pac-12 Player of the Year last season after leading the conference with 30 points.
Fellow seniors Earl Edwards Jr., Aaron Simmons and Andrew Tusaazemajja are still available to be selected and will look to hear their names called on January 20 when the third and fourth rounds of the MLS Super Draft commence.