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LOS ANGELES — With two picks in the first two rounds of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Real Salt Lake bolstered its back line.
Sandy’s MLS club selected Denver defender Reagan Dunk with the 13th overall pick, then followed it up by reuniting Washington defender Justin Schmidt with RSL general manager Craig Waibel.
The fifth-year senior fullback Dunk graduated this past season ranked No. 2 all-time for the Pioneers with 79 appearances, including 74 starts. He scored two goals with 18 assists in four seasons in Denver, the third-most helpers in school history.
Dunk, a native of Dallas, Texas, was part of a senior class that went 59-13-11, the third-best mark nationally of the past four seasons. He is the seventh draft pick from Denver in nine seasons.
“Reagan is the full package,” Denver coach Kevin Smith said when the school signed him. “Great feet, tactically sound and athletic. He is one of those players you want on any team you coach.”
That moment when your new boss calls to let you know your dreams are coming true.
— Real Salt Lake (@RealSaltLake) January 13, 2017
Welcome to the family, Reagan Dunk! pic.twitter.com/Dml5ZuVAZ9
Schmidt, a team captain for the Huskies in 2016, was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection at Washington, where he finished his final season with three goals and two assists at central defender. The Huskies finished 14-7 in Schmidt’s final year of college soccer, including a run to the third round of the NCAA tournament.
The fifth-year senior scored nine goals in his Washington career, along with 19 assists, and was coached by Waibel when the latter was an assistant coach in Seattle before joining the RSL organization.
Minnesota United FC took UCLA’s Abu Danladi with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, becoming the fifth UCLA player drafted with the top pick in MLS history. Fellow expansion side Atlanta United selected Syracuse defender Miles Robinson with the second pick, while New York City FC selected Akron forward Jonathan Lewis at No. 3 following a trade with the Chicago Fire.
