FOXBOROUGH, MA – Former USF defender Joshua Smith was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 Major League Soccer Super Draft by the New England Revolution on Tuesday. Smith, the 75th pick overall, was the last of three selections for the Revolution.
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"It's a true blessing being drafted by the New England Revolution," Smith said. "A great organization with a rich tradition and great support. Just looking at the colors and badge gives me chills.
"I had just gotten home from working out when I noticed that my phone was blinking left and right. It honestly felt like a dream when I read that the New England Revolution drafted me. I first thanked God and then ran straight to my mom to give her a huge hug."
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Smith bounced back from an injury that cost him the majority of the 2015 season to earn Second-Team All-West Coast Conference honors this year as one of two Dons to start all 16 contests. He anchored the defensive backfield, while also contributing three goals and a pair of assists on the year.
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Altogether, Smith was a four-time All-Conference selection who started 70 of the 71 matches in which he appeared over his career on the Hilltop.
Smith is the latest Don to earn a shot at a Major League Soccer roster, following in the footsteps of his former teammates, David Romney (L.A. Galaxy) and Miguel Aguilar (D.C. United, L.A. Galaxy), who both concluded their careers in 2014. Â
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"We are very excited for Josh," said USF head coach Eddie Soto. "He has worked extremely hard these past few years for this opportunity. As a program, our goals are to continue to develop players into MLS and Josh will now join Dave Romney and Miguel Aguilar as recent Dons in MLS. We couldn't be more proud."
Smith was the only WCC representative drafted this year. The Revolution's other selections were Brian Wright, a forward out of Vermont whom they took with the 20th overall pick, and Kentucky midfielder Napo Matsoso, the 31st overall selection. New England just missed the playoffs last year, finishing seventh in the Eastern Division with an 11-14-9 overall record. Â
With the regular season kicking off on March 4, Smith's goals heading into his first professional camp are simple.
"To bring my mind, heart and body to the organization," Smith said, "and grow from this experience as an athlete and human being (USFAthletics)."
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- 2016 2nd Team All-WCC
- 2016 WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention
- All-WCC Honorable Mention - 2012, 2013, 2014
- 2012 WCC All-Freshman TeamÂ
- United States U17 National TeamÂ
2016 (RS SENIOR):Â Earned second team All-WCCÂ honors... drafted by the New England Revolution in the fourth round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft... anchored the defensive backfield as one of two Dons to start all 16 games... netted three goals on the year with a pair of assists... all three of his goals were game-winners... scored in wins over UC Davis, Gonzaga and San Diego... pitched in with assists in a win at CSU Bakersfield and a loss to Air Force... his 1,440 minutes were the second-most on the team. Â
2015 (SENIOR): Played in two matches before suffering a season-ending injury at West Virginia (Aug. 30)… ended up redshirting the season and will have one more year of eligibility... played with the Burlingame Dragons during the offseason, earning PDL All-Western Conference honors.  Â
2014 (JUNIOR):Â Played and started 16 games at middle back for the Dons... also provided spark on offense... scored the first goal of his career at Cal Poly (Sept. 19)... picked up his second in a 2-0 win at San Diego (Oct. 3)... was part of five shutouts... named an All-WCC honorable mention for the third time.
2013 (SOPHOMORE):Â Helped to anchor the back four for the Dons... played in all 20 games with 19 starts... played 90 or more minutes in 16 games and played all 120 minutes of the Dons' 0-0 tie against Gonzaga (Oct. 6)... named All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention.
2012 (FRESHMAN): Started 17 games… had one assist versus UC Davis (9/6)… took seven shots, three on goal… earned All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention Team Honors… earned All-West Coast Conference Freshman Team Honors.
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Member of the U.S. U17 National Team... competed in the Bundesliga with the U17 and U19 Karlsruher SC Academy.
PERSONAL: Born in Fort Polk, La.... grew up in Germany while his father, Edwin, served in the U.S. Army.
