DALLAS – Three Conference USA men’s soccer standouts were selected in the first round of the 2019 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft on Friday afternoon, marking the most first round picks in a single year in league history.

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FIU’s Santiago Patino was picked third overall by Orlando City, followed by Charlotte’s Callum Montgomery, drafted as the fourth pick by FC Dallas. Kentucky’s JJ Williams was the 18^th pick of this year’s draft, selected by Columbus Crew SC.
 
This marks the first time that Conference USA has two top five selections in the same year in any professional draft.
 
Round 1 Draftees
Santiago Patino, Pick No. 3, Orlando City SC
 
During his time with the Panthers, Patino recorded 83 points on 37 goals and nine assists. He was named the 2017 C-USA Player of the Year, Offensive MVP and Golden Boot Award winner. This season, the senior forward repeated as the Golden Boot recipient with seven goals in league play. The Orlando, Florida, native returns to his hometown as the highest draft pick in FIU soccer history.
 
Callum Montgomery, Pick No. 4, FC Dallas
 
Montgomery comes to the home of the league office after being named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy and a First-Team All-American this season. The defender was voted the 2018 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. He anchored a 49ers defense that tallied 13 shutouts and went over 1,000 minutes without conceding a goal at home.
 
JJ Williams, Pick No. 18, Columbus Crew SC
 
The junior forward had a prolific year with the Wildcats with 18 goals and 44 points. Williams was named C-USA Player of the Year and Offensive MVP. He was also one of three finalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy and a First-Team All-American, pacing Kentucky to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. His goals and points were Kentucky single-season records.
 
The SuperDraft will continue today with round two and Monday with rounds three and four.