ORLANDO – January 20, 2015 – Orlando City Soccer Club has selected Goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. and Forward Sidney Rivera with the 43rd and 63rd picks in the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft.
Per Club and league policy, additional terms were not disclosed.
Edwards and Rivera marks the third and fourth players drafted by Orlando City in the Club’s first-ever SuperDraft. After selecting Cyle Larin with the first overall pick last week, the Lions also drafted Conor Donovan and Akeil Barrett in the second round.
Edwards was drafted by the Lions as the first pick in the third round from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In four seasons with UCLA, Edwards appeared in over 60 matches - producing 19 clean-sheets.
Edwards' highlights with the Bruins also include All-Pac-12 First Team (2013 & 2014), NSCAA All-Far West First Selection (2013), and Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 selection (2012).
With the first pick in the fourth round, Orlando City also selected Rivera from Old Dominion University (ODU). In 48 matches played, the forward scored 11 goals during four seasons with ODU. In 2014, Rivera led the team in goals and was named Conference USA Tournament Offensive MVP.
