Ivy-Record Four Tigers Selected in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft

PRINCETON, N.J. – Four Tigers were drafted in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday afternoon in Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch, Andrew Samuels, Jack Jasinski and Bardia Hormozi.

Whitchurch was a first round pick, selected by LAFC as the 24th overall. Samuels was selected in the second round by St. Louis City SC as the 37th pick. Jasinski was selected as the 41st pick by the San Jose Earthquakes. Hormozi was selected in the second round by Minnesota United FC as the 53rd pick overall.

With four Tigers drafted, it is the most ever by an Ivy League team in a single year. The last time Princeton had more than one player selected in the same year was 2011.

The achievement comes after the four Tigers led Princeton to one of its most successful and historic seasons in 2025, with each having a critical role in the team's success.

With their leadership, Princeton went undefeated to claim the Ivy League Championship, not allowing a single goal in conference play for the first time in league history. Princeton also won its second-consecutive Ivy League Tournament, becoming the first team to win both the regular season and the tournament in the same year. The Tigers were seeded third in the NCAA Tournament, marking the highest seed ever by an Ivy League team.

For their efforts all season, Jasinski, Whitchurch and Samuels were all invited to participate in the MLS College Showcase last weekend, as three of just 45 top collegiate soccer players to be invited. There, they were evaluated by scouts from MLS clubs in preparation for today's draft.

Captain Whitchurch, from San Diego, Calif., will head to Los Angeles after being a four-year mainstay at centerback for the Tigers. The Third Team United Soccer Coaches All-America honoree helped Princeton to one of the best defenses in the nation in 2025 with a program-record 13 shutouts. A rock for the Tigers, Whitchurch also scored a critical goal in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal en-route to the title.

Samuels, hailing from Burlingame, Calif., will join St. Louis City SC after a breakout junior season that saw the goalkeeper lead the nation in goals against average, save percentage and shutouts at the conclusion of the regular season. Allowing just four goals during the regular season, Samuels set a new Princeton record for most shutouts in a single season (12). For his performance, Samuels was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year. After helping Princeton secure the Ivy League Tournament win as he shut out Cornell in the final, Samuels was also named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Getting it done on the pitch and in the classroom at one of the world's most prestigious universities, Whitchurch and Samuels were both named CSC Academic All-Americans and and United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Americans.

Jasinski, a defender from Charlotte, N.C., will head to San Jose after an illustrious Princeton career. Leading the Tigers in assists for the last two seasons, Jasinski ends his career with 22, which ranks third in the Princeton all-time record book. His nine assists last season are also third-best for most in a single season. He is a 2025 United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American and a First Team All-Ivy selection.

Hormozi, a midfielder from Bethesda, Md., goes to Minnesota after a breakout 2025 season that saw the junior score six goals and tally four assists for a squad-second 16 points. Coming up in clutch moments, Hormozi tallied three game winners, including ones against Brown and Penn as the Tigers completed their 7-0 league campaign. For his performance, Hormozi was a First Team All-Ivy honoree.

With all four Tigers setting their sights on professional careers beyond Princeton, they continue to make history for the program after leaving a huge mark in the Orange & Black.

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