Printer-Friendly Format     E-mail this article     Joseph Lapira (top) and Ryan Miller (bottom) were both taken in the third round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

The Irish duo taken in the third round by Columbus and Toronto, respectively.

Jan. 19, 2008

BALTIMORE, Md. - Notre Dame All-Americans Ryan Miller (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) and Joseph Lapira (Lake Charles, La./Saint Louis Catholic) were selected in the 2008 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft on Friday, January 18. Miller was taken in the third round with the 31st pick overall to the Columbus Crew, while Lapira went four picks later to Toronto FC. Lapira is currently pursuing a professional contract in Europe.

Miller, a defender, earned second-team All-America honors this season as he posted career-high totals in goals (6) and points (16). In addition, Miller was tabbed as a second-team Academic All-American and was a unanimous all-BIG EAST selection. For his career, the fifth-year senior established a Fighting Irish record by appearing in 89 consecutive matches, all starts.

Lapira led Notre Dame in scoring for the third straight season in 2007 as he totaled 28 points on nine goals and 10 assists. The forward copped first-team All-America accolades for the second consecutive season and joined Miller as a unanimous all-conference performer. The 2006 Missouri Athletic Club (M.A.C.) Hermann Trophy winner was one of three finalists for this year's award, which is presented annually to the top player in college soccer. Lapira concluded his stellar Fighting Irish career fifth in program history in both goals (41) and points (105).

UCLA defender Chance Myers was the first overall selection to the Kansas City Wizards in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, which consisted of four rounds and 56 total picks. Miller and Lapira became the 10th and 11th players, respectively, in Notre Dame men's soccer history to be selected in the MLS Draft.

Notre Dame MLS Draft Selections

1997 Supplemental Draft
Dan Stebbins
Dallas - First Round - 4th overall selection

1999 Supplemental Draft
Ryan Turner
Kansas City - Second Round - 14th overall selection

2004 SuperDraft
Kevin Richards
Colorado Rapids - Fourth Round - 35th overall selection
Justin Detter
Kansas City Wizards - Fifth Round - 47th overall selection

2005 SuperDraft
Jack Stewart
Chicago Fire - First Round - 10th overall selection
Current Team: Real Salt Lake
Kevin Goldthwaite
San Jose Earthquake* - Second Round - 17th overall selection
Current Team: Houston
* - Earthquake are now the Houston Dynamo
Chris Sawyer
Kansas City Wizards - Second Round - 24th overall selection

2007 SuperDraft
Greg Dalby
Colorado Rapids - Second Round - 17th overall selection
Nate Norman
Chicago Fire - Second Round - 21st overall selection

2008 SuperDraft
Ryan Miller
Columbus Crew - Third Round - 31st overall selection
Joseph Lapira
Toronto FC - Third Round - 35th overall selection