Brown is the eighth player in program history to be selected in the first round and first since 2014.
TAMPA (Jan. 21, 2021) – A pair of University of South Florida men’s soccer standouts, one former and one current were selected on Thursday in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas. Javain Brown became just the eighth player in program history – and the first since 2014 – to be selected in the first round, going 23rd overall to the Vancouver Whitecaps, while Avionne Flanagan was chosen by FC Cincinnati in the second round with the 29th overall pick. The duo marks the 24th and 25th players, respectively, in program history to hear their names called in the MLS SuperDraft.
Brown, a defender from Kingston, Jamaica, who recently signed the Atlanta United 2 of the USL Championship league, is the Bulls’ first selection in the first round since 2014 when Ben Sweat was chosen with the 14th overall pick by the Columbus Crew. He played just one season for USF in 2019 after redshirting his freshman year.
A fierce defender, Brown helped to form one of the stingiest defenses in the American Athletic Conference, with their tough physical play and guided the backline that allowed only 1.26 goals per game on the year, which was tied for third-best in The American. He also assisted in the Bulls posting five clean sheets on the season. Brown made his presence felt offensively as well, recording 11 shots for USF with seven coming on goal while scoring three goals on the season, all game-winners. For his efforts, Brown was a First Team All-AAC selection, while also being named to the AAC All-Rookie Team. Also, he was tabbed a United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Second Team selection.
Flanagan, also a defender, who comes from Baltimore, was a key part of USF’s impressive defensive corps but was a threat on the offensive end of the pitch. Flanagan was third on the team in scoring in 2019 with nine points on one goal and seven assists. He played in 18 matches, earning 16 stars, and was named AAC first-team all-conference.
In all, four players were eligible for this year’s MLS SuperDraft. In addition to Brown and Flanagan, forward Adrian Billhardt (Berlin, Germany) and midfielder Josue Monge (Philadelphia, Pa.) was also in the section pool. Billhardt recently signed with South Georgia Tormenta FC of the USF League One.
“It’s great to have four players, that have developed in our program, represent USF in the MLS draft today,” said head coach Bob Butehorn. Javain, Ayo (Avionne), Adrian, and Josue all have worked hard in preparing their games for the professional level.”
The Bulls, who’s 2020 season was moved from fall to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will begin their schedule on Saturday, Jan. 30, with an exhibition game against FIU, at 7 p.m., at Corbett Stadium. USF kicks off its regular season on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., when Temple visits Corbett Stadium.
All of the Bulls regular season home matches on the season will be streamed live on the ESPN+ platform. Fan attendance policies for home matches will be announced at a later date.
The American Athletic Conference and ESPN began a new 12-year television rights agreement starting in 2020-21. USF will stream numerous home athletic events to ESPN+ this spring. Subscriptions for the ESPN+ app are $5.99 monthly or $49.99 annually and can be packaged with Hulu and Disney+ streaming services. A step-by-step guide for subscribing to ESPN+ is located here.
About USF Men’s Soccer
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USF Men’s Soccer competed in the school’s first ever intercollegiate athletic contest on Sept. 25, 1965, beating Florida Southern 4-3. Since then, the oldest program on campus has built a winning tradition, claiming 14 conference championships and making 21 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 3 trips to the elite eight.
The program also has a strong reputation within the professional game and boasts 27 MLS draft picks. Notable alumni include two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham, USA 1994 World Cup star Roy Wegerle, and 2013 MLS Cup winner Dom Dwyer.
The Bulls have advanced to the postseason in 18 of the past 19 years, including 12 NCAA Tournament appearances during that period.
USF Soccer concluded the 2019 season with an 11-7-1 overall record, earning an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. Four players earned AAC honors, highlighted by first team selections Avionne Flanagan and Javain Brown. Adrian Billhardt was tabbed a second team selection. In addition, Brown and Salvatore Mazzaferro were named to The AAC All-Rookie Team. Head coach Bob Butehorn returns to lead USF in his fourth season on the sidelines.
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