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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Akpunonu Invited to MLS College Showcase
December 08, 2022 | Men's Soccer
Junior is one of just 44 invitees for four-day event in Cary, N.C.
The adidas MLS College Showcase will take place from Friday through Monday (Dec. 9-12) in Raleigh, N.C. in conjunction with the 2022 NCAA Men's College Cup. The four-day event will give technical staffs from every MLS club an opportunity to scout these top collegiate prospects in the nation, including players such as Akpunonu with remaining NCAA eligibility.
The 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase is a closed-door scouting event officially sanctioned by the NCAA. Technical staffs from MLS clubs will also attend the remaining College Cup matches in Cary, N.C. on Friday (Dec. 9) and Monday (Dec. 12). The eligible player list for the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas will be announced at a later date following the 2022 adidas MLS College Showcase.
It's been an eventful week for Akpunonu, who was named to the Academic All-America® First Team, presented by College Sports Communicators, on Wednesday (Dec. 7).
Akpunonu, a native of Toledo, Ohio (St. John's Jesuit), started all 16 matches for the Falcons in 2022, and was named to the All-MAC First Team. He led the Falcons in goals, with six, and finished second on the club with 12 points. The defender 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 Mid-American Conference wins. He now has career totals of eight goals and 19 points in 48 matches played.
He helped the Falcons set a school record for fewest goals allowed in a season. BGSU surrendered just 10 goals in 2022, with two of those 10 coming via penalty kicks.
The complete list of adidas MLS College Showcase can be found at the bottom of the page.
‼️𝗠𝗟𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘‼️
— BGSU Men's Soccer (@BGSUmenssoccer) December 7, 2022
Joey Akpunonu is one of the 44 college players invited to the 2022 MLS College Showcase & one of only 18 underclassmen included.
MLS Release: https://t.co/7moipytsCi#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/OpLd78j2Lz
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ABOUT THE FALCONS
BGSU went 6-5-5 overall, 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.
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ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer – celebrating its 28th season in 2023 – features 29 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including 2023 expansion team St. Louis CITY SC. For more information about MLS, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
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2022 adidas MLS COLLEGE SHOWCASE INVITEES
Name, Position, College, Scholastic Year
Stephen Afrifa, F, Florida International University, Senior
Patrick Agyemang, F, University of Rhode Island, Senior
Knut Ahlander, CM, Southern Methodist University, Redshirt Senior
Joey Akpunonu, CB, Bowling Green State University, Junior
Gabriel Alves, LB, Marshall University, Senior
Kemy Amiche, AM, Campbell University, Sophomore
Clarence Awoudor, W, Oregon State University, Freshman
Matthew Bell, F, Marshall University, Freshman
Eythor Bjorgolffson, F, University of Kentucky, Senior
Joshua Bolma, W, University of Maryland, Redshirt Sophomore
Moise Bombito, CB, University of New Hampshire, Junior
Yannick Bright, DM, University of New Hampshire, Junior
Noel Caliskan, DM, Loyola Marymount University, Senior
Dyson Clapier, W, University of Akron, Sophomore
Hamady Diop, CB, Clemson University, Junior
Lucca Dourado, F, University of Central Florida, Junior
Mariano Fazio, CB, University of Tulsa, Senior
CJ Fodrey, MF, San Diego State University, Freshman
Sam Fowler, GK, University of Washington, Senior
Joran Gerbet, DM, Oregon State University, Sophomore
Cole Jensen, GK, Xavier University, Redshirt Junior
Shaun Joash, W, Grand Canyon University, Senior
Malcolm Johnston, CM, University of Maryland, Senior
John Klein, AM, Saint Louis University, Senior
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, DM/RB, University of Washington, Junior
Alex Meinhard, W, University of Tulsa, Senior
Moses Mensah, LB, Campbell University, Senior
Matthew Myers, F, Rutgers University, Senior
JC Ngando, CM, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Sophomore
Babacar Niang, AM, Wake Forest University, Sophomore
Isaiah Reid, LB, Clemson University, Senior
Nicholas Richardson, RB, University of Maryland, Redshirt Senior
Christopher Rindov, CB, University of Maryland, Senior
Aidan Rocha, RB/CM, Georgetown University, Senior
Braudilio Rodrigues, W, Franklin Pierce University, Sophomore
Anderson Rosa, LB, University of Central Florida, Sophomore
Oliver Semmle, GK, Marshall University, Senior
Christian Soto, CM, University of Washington, Senior
Joao Souza, CB, Boston College, Senior
Ousmane Sylla, AM, Clemson University, Junior
Holden Trent, GK, High Point University, Senior
Andreas Ueland, CB, University of Virginia, Senior
Gino Vivi, W, University of Central Florida, Senior
Daniel Wu, CB, Georgetown University, Senior
