MLS Draft Surprises
Two soccer players, AJ Smith and Nick Dang, have made a surprising return to their team after being drafted to MLS.
“To have them both back was unlikely, and you have two guys that are a handful.” - George Gelnovatch
Smith and Dang were teammates at Virginia, where Dang had a standout junior year as a goal-scoring centerback. During the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, Smith waited anxiously to see if his friend would be drafted, checking the results on a website.
- Nick Dang was selected in the second round of the draft.
- Smith did not expect to be drafted, saying "Maybe next year, if I have a good season."
Despite the initial uncertainty, both players are now back and making an impact on their team.
Author's summary: Two soccer players return to their team after MLS draft surprises.