Campbell's Young, Mensah chosen in MLS SuperDraft
By Campbell Athletics
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Tyler Young and Moses Mensah of Campbell University were chosen Wednesday in the 2023 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Young was selected in the second round with the 36th overall pick by Atlanta United. Mensah was chosen 74th overall in the third round by Real Salt Lake.
Wednesday marked the first time that Campbell had two players chosen in the annual MLS draft in the same year when both the Big South Conference offensive (Young) and defensive (Mensah) player of the year had his name called.
The 2022 and 2021 Big South offensive player of the year, Young earned All-South region honors earlier this month for the second-consecutive season. A two-time first-team all-conference (2021, 2022) choice, Young led the league and ranked 16th nationally with nine assists. CU has posted a 20-0-4 all time record when Young generates at least one point in a match, including a 7-0-3 mark in 2022. He finished T3rd among Big South points leaders (19) and T6th in goals (5). An attacking midfielder from Troutman, N.C., Young was the 31st player in CU soccer history to reach 50 career points and already ranks T23rd in school record books with 57 points on 18 goals and 21 assists.
Mensah was the first four-time all-region choice in Campbell's 60 seasons of men's soccer competition. The left back earned first-team honors for the second-straight year in 2022 after being named second-team All-South in 2020 and to the third team as a freshman in 2019.
The 2022 Big South defensive player of the year, Mensah was a four-time first-team all-conference selection. A native of Cape Coast, Ghana, Mensah was the team leader in minutes played (1599) for the Big South's number one ranked defense (0.90 GAA) in 2022. He played in 73 matches with 72 starts in his career. A 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy watch list performer, he was the 2019 Big South freshman of the year and helped his team win five trophies (2019 Big South double, 2021 double + 2022 regular season) and make two NCAA post-season appearances.
Campbell won its third Big South regular season title in the last four years in 2022 and finished with an 11-4-5 overall record, 6-1-1 in the league. The Camels advanced to the Big South final for the third time in four seasons as well, before falling to High Point 2-0 in the title match.
Young's choice marked the first time a Campbell player has been chosen as high as the second round and his 36th overall selection is the highest as well. Richard Jata was selected with the 58th pick (fourth round) in 2009, while Thibaut Jacquel was tabbed in the third round in the 2021 draft (75th overall).