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Reading United Sees Three Players Picked In MLS SuperDraft's First Day

By Ryan Lineaweaver, 01/11/19, 5:30PM EST

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Williams, Miller, and Lundt selected in the first and second rounds of the Major League Soccer draft

CHICAGO, IL (January 11, 2019) – Reading United continued their success of developing professional soccer players, as three more alumni heard their names called during the 2019 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. JJ Williams, Kamal Miller, and Ben Lundt became the latest United players to continue their dream of playing professional soccer during the first and second rounds of the draft.

 

JJ Williams was selected with the 18th pick of the first round by Columbus Crew SC. A big, hulking forward, Williams had a breakout junior season at the University of Kentucky, scoring 18 goals for the Wildcats. This follows his summer of 2017 in Reading, where he played in seven games, netting one goal. JJ became the fourth United player to be drafted by the Crew, following in the footsteps of Connor Maloney, who was drafted in the third round of the 2017 draft.

 

Kamal Miller needed to wait until the 27th pick in the second round, where he was picked up by Orlando City SC. The No. 21 ranked prospect in USL League Two, Miller was named to the PDL All-Eastern Conference Team after playing a key role on a backline that conceded only four goals in his nine starts. Widely considered to be one of the best center backs in the draft, Miller should have an opportunity to crack the starting lineup on an MLS squad that conceded a league-record 74 goals in the 2018 season.

 

Ben Lundt was selected ten spots later, going to the expansion side FC Cincinnati with the 37th pick. Lundt spent the past two seasons with Reading, starting six games and allowing only three goals. Lundt was thought to be the top goalkeeper in college soccer over the past two seasons, and will have a chance to crack the starting lineup of the newest addition to the MLS from day one.

 

With this continued draft success, Reading United have shown to be the most prolific amateur team at developing professional soccer players. 60 former players have been selected at the SuperDraft since 2008, including first round picks in each of the past nine drafts.

 

The SuperDraft will continue with Round 3 and Round 4 on Monday afternoon via conference call at 1:00pm EST. Nine former players are still available to be drafted - Jakov Basic, Hugo Delhommelle, Mark Forrest, Serge Gamwanya, Ezana Kahsay, Kervin Kenton, Daniel Krutzen, Austin Maloney, and Nico Solabarrieta.