Musketeers in the Pros: Xavier Men's Soccer

CINCINNATI - Seven Xavier men's soccer alums are active in professional soccer as of the conclusion of May with one in MLS, four in the USL and another two playing in the NPSL.

Nick Hagglund is in his fifth season in MLS with Toronto FC and has been dealing with a hamstring injury this year, but recently returned to the pitch in late May. Hagglund won the MLS Cup in 2017 with the Reds and was recently featured on the MLS website talking about his excitement for FC Cincinnati's expansion bid into the league.

After playing for the Rochester Rhinos last season, Todd Pratzner joined USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC for this season and has been a mainstay in the backline with 10 starts in 2018.

XU's first MLS Draft pick, Luke Spencer, led Louisville City FC to a USL title in 2017 and talked to his club's website recently about the high expectations for him this season as one of 15 returners for the "Boys in Purple." To date, Spencer has one goal in seven matches for his club.

Garrett Halfhill earned a full professional contract with FC Cincinnati last season and has moved on to New York Cosmos B in 2018, where he is teaming up with former XU teammate Jalen Brown. Brown had spent the 2017 season with the Rochester Rhinos, scoring a goal in 19 appearances

Cory Brown, the 2016 BIG EAST Player of the Year, signed on with Fresno FC in March. The 2018 Xavier grad has made three starts for the new USL expansion team, which played its very first game in March.

"Cory has demonstrated himself as a talented footballer who has excelled consistently at the collegiate level here in the states," Fresno FC general manager Frank Yallop told FresnoFC.com. "He's a strong center back who will add more depth to our spine. He was drafted by our MLS affiliate because they believe he can excel at the professional level, and we're thrilled to be a part of the next stage in his career."

XU ALUMS IN THE PROS

Name	Team	League	Team/Player Info
Nick Hagglund	Toronto FC	MLS	Link
Todd Pratzner	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	USL	Link
Dallas Jaye	Phoenix Rising FC	USL	Link
Luke Spencer	Louisville City FC	USL	Link
Cory Brown	Fresno FC	USL	Link
Garrett Halfhill	New York Cosmos B	NPSL	Link
Jalen Brown	New York Cosmos B	NPSL	Link

AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE

• Xavier men's soccer has reached the NCAA Tournament in four of the last eight seasons.
• The Musketeers have won 10 or more matches in seven of the last eight seasons.
• Xavier was the only program in the nation with five consecutive major conference awards from 2012-16, including 2016 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Cory Brown.
• XU has qualified for five consecutive BIG EAST Championships, including trips to the title game in 2014 and 2017.
• XU has been ranked in the nation's top-10 three times in the last six years by the United Soccer Coaches.
• In 2015, XU knocked off the national No. 1 (Creighton) and No. 2 (Notre Dame) on the road last season. The Musketeers are widely believed to be the first program to ever knock off both a No. 1 and a No. 2 on the road in the same season.
• Four XU players have been selected in the MLS SuperDraft in the last seven years, including 2018 third rounder Cory Brown.

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Cory Brown

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