Daniel Ittycheria Selected by D.C. United in MLS Superdraft 2025
December 20, 2024 | Men's Soccer
PRINCETON, N.J. – Daniel Ittycheria was selected by D.C. United in the MLS Superdraft 2025, held on Friday, December 20.
Ittycheria, who led the Tigers in goals in both 2024 and 2023, and who played a critical role in securing an Ivy League Tournament Championship for Princeton this season, was selected in the 2nd round with the 40th overall pick.
Going from the Orange & Black to the Red & Black, Ittycheria will head to the capital city to join D.C. United as he looks to continue his soccer career professionally.
"It's great to see Danny recognized for his performance this season with an opportunity to play at the next level. Itty had a very strong season that culminated with him earning Player of the Ivy League Tournament for his efforts against Cornell and Penn," said Head Coach Jim Barlow. "His speed and athleticism combined with his ability to set up and score goals made him a dangerous threat in our attack and helped our team win a lot of games this season."
Ittycheria tallied nine goals and an assist in 2024 for 19 points on the season, leading the Tigers in scoring and ranking third in the Ivy League during the regular season.
Ittycheria's performance earned him Second Team All-Ivy honors.
At the Ivy Tournament, Ittycheria was on fire, scoring the first goal and the game-winner of Princeton's semifinal comeback victory over Cornell, 3-2, in double overtime. His performance sent the Tigers to the Ivy League Tournament Final, which they went on to win 3-1 over host Penn with Ittycheria scoring again in the contest.
For his efforts, Ittycheria was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
The Warren, N.J. native is no stranger to success in the attacking end, however. In 2023, Ittycheria also recorded nine goals and one assist, leading the Tigers. As a sophomore, Ittycheria was also the second-highest goal scorer in the Ivy League, and he was awarded an Ivy League First Team All-Ivy nod.
He also picked up one Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week award, following up an Ivy League Rookie of the Week award during his freshman year.
Before Princeton, Ittycheria was a starter for PDA's U19 MLS Next club, in which he scored 11 goals in his first 10 matches in MLS Next. He scored 32 goals in 33 career matches for Pingry, and was an All-Region, All-State, All-County and All-Conference performer. Ittcyheria was also named to the high school All-American Watch List.
"I'm super excited to be selected in the draft; I'm still kind of speechless," said Ittycheria, "I just want to keep getting better and look forward to helping D.C. United as much as I can."
The MLS Superdraft allows clubs to select draft picks across three rounds with 87 total picks this year from an eligible pool of collegiate sophomores, juniors and above, along with Generation Adidas signings.
Ittycheria, who led the Tigers in goals in both 2024 and 2023, and who played a critical role in securing an Ivy League Tournament Championship for Princeton this season, was selected in the 2nd round with the 40th overall pick.
Going from the Orange & Black to the Red & Black, Ittycheria will head to the capital city to join D.C. United as he looks to continue his soccer career professionally.
"It's great to see Danny recognized for his performance this season with an opportunity to play at the next level. Itty had a very strong season that culminated with him earning Player of the Ivy League Tournament for his efforts against Cornell and Penn," said Head Coach Jim Barlow. "His speed and athleticism combined with his ability to set up and score goals made him a dangerous threat in our attack and helped our team win a lot of games this season."
Ittycheria tallied nine goals and an assist in 2024 for 19 points on the season, leading the Tigers in scoring and ranking third in the Ivy League during the regular season.
Ittycheria's performance earned him Second Team All-Ivy honors.
At the Ivy Tournament, Ittycheria was on fire, scoring the first goal and the game-winner of Princeton's semifinal comeback victory over Cornell, 3-2, in double overtime. His performance sent the Tigers to the Ivy League Tournament Final, which they went on to win 3-1 over host Penn with Ittycheria scoring again in the contest.
For his efforts, Ittycheria was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
The Warren, N.J. native is no stranger to success in the attacking end, however. In 2023, Ittycheria also recorded nine goals and one assist, leading the Tigers. As a sophomore, Ittycheria was also the second-highest goal scorer in the Ivy League, and he was awarded an Ivy League First Team All-Ivy nod.
He also picked up one Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week award, following up an Ivy League Rookie of the Week award during his freshman year.
Before Princeton, Ittycheria was a starter for PDA's U19 MLS Next club, in which he scored 11 goals in his first 10 matches in MLS Next. He scored 32 goals in 33 career matches for Pingry, and was an All-Region, All-State, All-County and All-Conference performer. Ittcyheria was also named to the high school All-American Watch List.
"I'm super excited to be selected in the draft; I'm still kind of speechless," said Ittycheria, "I just want to keep getting better and look forward to helping D.C. United as much as I can."
The MLS Superdraft allows clubs to select draft picks across three rounds with 87 total picks this year from an eligible pool of collegiate sophomores, juniors and above, along with Generation Adidas signings.
Players Mentioned
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