Ebenezer Ackon Chosen in MLS SuperDraft
January 14, 2019 | Men's Soccer
BGSU senior taken by Chicago Fire in Third Round
Bowling Green State University men's soccer standout Ebenezer Ackon has been selected in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. On Monday afternoon (Jan. 14), Ackon was chosen by the Chicago Fire in the Third Round.
Ackon, a native of Cape Coast, Ghana (Mfantsipim School), was the 53rd pick overall in this year's Superdraft.
"We are thrilled for Eby," said BGSU head coach Eric Nichols. "The Chicago Fire is a first-rate organization and they have picked up a very capable player in Eby. The jump from college to the professional ranks is a big one, but Eby has the athleticism, the technical ability and most importantly, the mentality to have a prolific career as a pro. The Falcon soccer nation is very proud!"
Â
Ackon was an All-MAC First-Team selection in 2018, and also was named to the All-Ohio Team by the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association. He finished second on the Falcons in scoring in 2018, and his total of 11 points included a BGSU-best five goals. He picked up his first career game-winning goal on Senior Night at Cochrane Stadium (Nov. 3), as the Falcons ended the regular season with a 2-0 win over SIUE. Ackon led the team with three goals and an assist in the five MAC matches, and was a mainstay on the BG defense.
The defender played in a career total of 19 matches for the Falcons. He joined the BGSU program in the fall of 2017, and after being cleared to play by the NCAA, made his BGSU debut in that season's West Virginia match (Oct. 14, 2017). He started each of the final five matches and had an assist in back-to-back matches.
Ackon becomes just the third BGSU player chosen in the MLS draft. BGSU Hall-of-Famer Steve Klein was chosen in the third round (22nd overall pick) of the 1997 MLS College Draft by the New England Revolution, and Ryan James was also a third-round pick in 2016. James was taken by Sporting Kansas City with the 52nd overall pick.
Ackon was one of four seniors on the 2018 roster. BGSU ended the season with an overall record of 6-7-4, and the Falcons posted a 2-1-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play. BG, picked to place fifth in the six-team conference, finished second and earned a first-round bye for the league tourney. The Falcons have finished second in the league twice in the last three seasons. BG went 5-1-2 over the final eight contests of the regular season, including a six-match unbeaten streak, the program's longest since 1997.
For more information on the men's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @BGSUmenssoccer), Instagram (bgsumenssoccer) and Facebook (BGMensSoccer) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.
BGSU's MLS DRAFT CHOICES
PLAYERÂ Â Â Â Â Â YEARÂ Â ROUNDÂ Â PICKÂ Â TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Steve Klein   1997  3rd  22nd  New England Revolution
Ryan James    2016  3rd  52nd  Sporting Kansas City
Ebenezer Ackon  2019  3rd  53rd  Chicago Fire
Â
Ackon, a native of Cape Coast, Ghana (Mfantsipim School), was the 53rd pick overall in this year's Superdraft.
"We are thrilled for Eby," said BGSU head coach Eric Nichols. "The Chicago Fire is a first-rate organization and they have picked up a very capable player in Eby. The jump from college to the professional ranks is a big one, but Eby has the athleticism, the technical ability and most importantly, the mentality to have a prolific career as a pro. The Falcon soccer nation is very proud!"
Â
Ackon was an All-MAC First-Team selection in 2018, and also was named to the All-Ohio Team by the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association. He finished second on the Falcons in scoring in 2018, and his total of 11 points included a BGSU-best five goals. He picked up his first career game-winning goal on Senior Night at Cochrane Stadium (Nov. 3), as the Falcons ended the regular season with a 2-0 win over SIUE. Ackon led the team with three goals and an assist in the five MAC matches, and was a mainstay on the BG defense.
The defender played in a career total of 19 matches for the Falcons. He joined the BGSU program in the fall of 2017, and after being cleared to play by the NCAA, made his BGSU debut in that season's West Virginia match (Oct. 14, 2017). He started each of the final five matches and had an assist in back-to-back matches.
Ackon becomes just the third BGSU player chosen in the MLS draft. BGSU Hall-of-Famer Steve Klein was chosen in the third round (22nd overall pick) of the 1997 MLS College Draft by the New England Revolution, and Ryan James was also a third-round pick in 2016. James was taken by Sporting Kansas City with the 52nd overall pick.
Ackon was one of four seniors on the 2018 roster. BGSU ended the season with an overall record of 6-7-4, and the Falcons posted a 2-1-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play. BG, picked to place fifth in the six-team conference, finished second and earned a first-round bye for the league tourney. The Falcons have finished second in the league twice in the last three seasons. BG went 5-1-2 over the final eight contests of the regular season, including a six-match unbeaten streak, the program's longest since 1997.
For more information on the men's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @BGSUmenssoccer), Instagram (bgsumenssoccer) and Facebook (BGMensSoccer) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.
BGSU's MLS DRAFT CHOICES
PLAYERÂ Â Â Â Â Â YEARÂ Â ROUNDÂ Â PICKÂ Â TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Steve Klein   1997  3rd  22nd  New England Revolution
Ryan James    2016  3rd  52nd  Sporting Kansas City
Ebenezer Ackon  2019  3rd  53rd  Chicago Fire
Â
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerOff The Pitch: Andrew Shaffer (Sept. 11, 2025)
Thursday, September 11
Eric Nichols Post-Match Interview (Sept. 5, 2025)
Saturday, September 06
Off The Pitch: Bennett Painter (Sept. 3, 2025)
Thursday, September 04
Eric Nichols Post-Match Interview (Sept. 1, 2025)
Monday, September 01