FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution selected the 2013 NSCAA Division II national player of the year, forward Pierre Omanga of Southern New Hampshire University, in the third round (50th overall) of the MLS SuperDraft, which concluded today via conference call.
After the Revolution’s natural fourth-round pick was traded to D.C. United in exchange for the rights to Charlie Davies last year when he originally joined New England on loan from Sochaux, the Revs had one selection today – the 50th overall pick (the 12th pick in the third round). Teams could select players from the pool of draft-eligible players who were not selected in last Thursday’s SuperDraft in Philadelphia.
Omanga, 25, earned player of the year honors after his 21-goal, three-assist performance at Southern New Hampshire. The French-born forward made 24 appearances (23 starts) with the Penmen in 2013, after playing with Montevallo University (Ala.) in 2012. His game-winning goal led SNHU to its second-ever soccer national championship, earning him Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the NCAA Championship recognition. Omanga also earned first-team NSCAA and Daktronics All-America selections, and was the Northeast-10 Conference player of the year. In 2012, Omanga scored 15 goals and added two assists in 19 appearances (18 starts) at Montevallo, en route to first-team All-Peach Belt Conference honors, and all-region honors from Daktronics and the NSCAA.
Omanga is expected to join the Revs when they report for preseason this Saturday, Jan. 25. Like second-round pick Alec Sundly, who was selected during the first portion of the draft last Thursday, Omanga will enter camp unsigned and attempt to earn a contract.
