Bowling Green State University Athletics
Joey Akpunonu Taken in First Round of MLS SuperDraft
December 21, 2022 | Men's Soccer
Junior centerback chosen by FC Cincinnati with the 22nd overall pick
Bowling Green State University men's soccer star Joey Akpunonu has become the first MLS SuperDraft first-round pick in school history. On Wednesday evening (Dec. 21), Akpunonu was selected by FC Cincinnati with the 22nd overall pick.
Akpunonu, who recently completed his junior season with the Falcons, is the first underclassman ever to be chosen in the MLS draft.
"Joey is one of the hardest-working, most humble and talented young men that I've ever had the pleasure to work with," said BGSU head coach Eric Nichols. "This really means a lot for both Joey and the program.
"It shows that we have been able to develop some talent here, but more than that, I think it shows the impact Joey has made as a model of how to go about your business. He has been an exemplary leader, not only with the work he does during training, but also before and after training, and the humility he displays."
Akpunonu has earned a veritable plethora of honors this season. A native of Toledo, Ohio (St. John's Jesuit), he started all 16 matches for the Falcons in 2022, and was named to the All-Mid-American Conference First Team. He led the Falcons in goals, with six, and finished second on the club with 12 points. Akpunonu also helped the Orange and Brown post seven shutouts in those 16 contests.
Akpunonu, the lone Falcon other than goalkeeper Brendan Graves to play all 1440 minutes this season, scored the first goal of the match in three of BGSU's four MAC victories. At the other end of the pitch. He helped the Falcons set a school record for fewest goals allowed in a season. BGÂ surrendered just 10 goals in 2022, with two of those 10 coming via penalty kicks.
He had career totals of eight goals and 19 points in 48 matches played at BGSU.
In addition to his All-MAC First-Team honor, the defender was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region First Team, and also was named to the Academic All-America® First Team, presented by College Sports Communicators.
Earlier this month, Akpunonu was one of 44 players across the nation invited to participate in the adidas Major League Soccer College Showcase. Then, on Monday (Dec. 19), MLS announced that he was one of the first eight players named to the league's 2023 Generation adidas class.
"This is great for Joey, for our program and for BGSU," said Nichols. "He is a true success story -- a local kid that came to BGSU and  earned a 4.000 GPA in the classroom while achieving amazing success on the field and ultimately becoming a first-round draft pick."
Akpunonu becomes just the fifth BGSU player chosen in the MLS draft, and the fourth in the last eight seasons. 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, while Ryan James was also a third-round pick, being taken by Sporting Kansas City with the 52nd overall pick in 2016.
Ebenezer Ackon was chosen by the Chicago Fire in the third round (53rd overall pick) of the 2019 SuperDraft, while Jacob Erlandson was taken by the Columbus Crew with the 40th overall pick in the third round of last year's draft.
BGSU went 6-5-5 overall in the 2022 season, and the Falcons finished MAC play with a 4-2-2 league ledger, finishing third in the conference. The Falcons will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference beginning next fall.
The Falcons have a record of 42-25-12 over the last 79 games, dating to midway through the 2018 season. Sixteen of the 25 setbacks in that time have come by a single goal.
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
PLAYER Â Â Â Â Â YEAR Â ROUND Â PICK Â TEAM 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
Jacob Erlandson 2022   2nd   40th  Columbus Crew
Joey Akpunonu  2023  1st  22nd  FC Cincinnati
Â
Akpunonu, who recently completed his junior season with the Falcons, is the first underclassman ever to be chosen in the MLS draft.
"Joey is one of the hardest-working, most humble and talented young men that I've ever had the pleasure to work with," said BGSU head coach Eric Nichols. "This really means a lot for both Joey and the program.
"It shows that we have been able to develop some talent here, but more than that, I think it shows the impact Joey has made as a model of how to go about your business. He has been an exemplary leader, not only with the work he does during training, but also before and after training, and the humility he displays."
Possibly the best birthday present ever? Getting drafted by @fccincinnati in the MLS #SuperDraft! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/t3lR0otjwR
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 22, 2022
Let's take one more look at Joey's big night. Congrats again, @joey_akpunonu! #AyZiggy | 🟠⚽🟤 pic.twitter.com/TwJi2QtleS
— BGSU Men's Soccer (@BGSUmenssoccer) December 22, 2022
Akpunonu has earned a veritable plethora of honors this season. A native of Toledo, Ohio (St. John's Jesuit), he started all 16 matches for the Falcons in 2022, and was named to the All-Mid-American Conference First Team. He led the Falcons in goals, with six, and finished second on the club with 12 points. Akpunonu also helped the Orange and Brown post seven shutouts in those 16 contests.
Akpunonu, the lone Falcon other than goalkeeper Brendan Graves to play all 1440 minutes this season, scored the first goal of the match in three of BGSU's four MAC victories. At the other end of the pitch. He helped the Falcons set a school record for fewest goals allowed in a season. BGÂ surrendered just 10 goals in 2022, with two of those 10 coming via penalty kicks.
He had career totals of eight goals and 19 points in 48 matches played at BGSU.
In addition to his All-MAC First-Team honor, the defender was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region First Team, and also was named to the Academic All-America® First Team, presented by College Sports Communicators.
Earlier this month, Akpunonu was one of 44 players across the nation invited to participate in the adidas Major League Soccer College Showcase. Then, on Monday (Dec. 19), MLS announced that he was one of the first eight players named to the league's 2023 Generation adidas class.
"This is great for Joey, for our program and for BGSU," said Nichols. "He is a true success story -- a local kid that came to BGSU and  earned a 4.000 GPA in the classroom while achieving amazing success on the field and ultimately becoming a first-round draft pick."
Akpunonu becomes just the fifth BGSU player chosen in the MLS draft, and the fourth in the last eight seasons. 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, while Ryan James was also a third-round pick, being taken by Sporting Kansas City with the 52nd overall pick in 2016.
Ebenezer Ackon was chosen by the Chicago Fire in the third round (53rd overall pick) of the 2019 SuperDraft, while Jacob Erlandson was taken by the Columbus Crew with the 40th overall pick in the third round of last year's draft.
BGSU went 6-5-5 overall in the 2022 season, and the Falcons finished MAC play with a 4-2-2 league ledger, finishing third in the conference. The Falcons will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference beginning next fall.
The Falcons have a record of 42-25-12 over the last 79 games, dating to midway through the 2018 season. Sixteen of the 25 setbacks in that time have come by a single goal.
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
PLAYER Â Â Â Â Â YEAR Â ROUND Â PICK Â TEAM 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
Jacob Erlandson 2022   2nd   40th  Columbus Crew
Joey Akpunonu  2023  1st  22nd  FC Cincinnati
Â
Players Mentioned
Off The Pitch: Trace Terry (Sept. 18, 2025)
Friday, September 19
BGSU MSOC: USMNT GOAT (Lucas Kleimeyer)
Wednesday, September 17
Off The Pitch: Andrew Shaffer (Sept. 11, 2025)
Thursday, September 11
Eric Nichols Post-Match Interview (Sept. 5, 2025)
Saturday, September 06