The University of Akron Athletics
Jaaskelainen Selected Seventh Overall in MLS SuperDraft by St. Louis City SC
December 20 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron men's soccer redshirt senior Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England) culminated his stellar Zips' careers with his selection as part of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft on Friday, Dec. 20.
Jaaskelainen was drafted with the seventh selection of the first round by St. Louis City SC.
Jaaskelainen, a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist, became the 35th Zip drafted during the MLS SuperDraft overall with his selection.
Jaaskelainen, who garnered First-Team All-Region honors this season for the second time, started all 21 games for Akron in 2024 en route to recording an NCAA-best 23 goals and 54 points, while also leading the nation in game-winning goals (6), goals per game (1.10) and points per tilt (2.57). He also ranks fourth in the nation in shots (4.38) and shot on goal (2.14) per match and 36th in total assists (8), while finishing the campaign posting the second-highest single-season goal total in program history en route to be a unanimous choice as BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-BIG EAST selection.
Jaaskelainen ranked first in the BIG EAST in goals (1.10), points (2.57), shots (4.38), shots on goal (2.14) per game as well as leading the league in total goals (23), shots (92), shots on goal (45), points (54) and game-winning goals (6) and rating fourth in assists (8). In league-only affairs, he led the BIG EAST in total goals (12), points (28), shots (34), shots on goal (18) and game-winners (4), as well as goals (1.50), points (3.50), shots (4.25), shots on goal (2.25) and game-winners (0.50) per contest, while rating third in total assists (4) and fifth in assists per tilt (0.50).
In eight BIG EAST games for Akron, Jaaskelainen recorded 12 of his NCAA-leading 23 goals on the strength of team-high marks in goals (12), points (28), shots (34), shots on goal (18) and game-winners (4), while ranking second in assists (4). He delivered a hat trick against Villanova (Oct. 12), while posting league braces versus Marquette (Oct. 26), Creighton (Oct. 23), DePaul (Oct. 19) and Butler (Sept. 20). Overall, he recorded nine multi-goal affairs on the season.
Jaaskelainen is first in D1 among active leaders in points (154) and goals (66), second in points per game (1.83) and in goals per tilt (0.79), 13th in assists (22), 22nd in assists per contest (0.26) and 25th in games played (84). Across all divisions, he is rated third in career goals (66) and points (154), 16th in points per contest (1.83) and 18th in goals per tilt (0.79).
Since 2008, Akron leads the country with eight players chosen among the top-five selections in the MLS SuperDraft. The Zips also boast the highest total of players picked among the top-10 draftees over the same span with 14.
Players selected in the draft with remaining collegiate eligibility who do not sign with their drafted club have the option of returning to their collegiate teams next season with drafting teams retaining their playing rights.
Developing players for the next level has become commonplace for the Akron staff as 51 Zips have gone on to play professionally either in Major League Soccer, USL or overseas since 2006, including No. 1 overall picks Joao Moutinho in 2018 and Steve Zakuani in 2009, and No. 2 overall picks Darlington Nagbe in 2011 and Darren Mattocks in 2012 - just to name a few. Nagbe was part of a draft class that set MLS draft day records for most players drafted from a single school in the first round (5) and overall (8).
Jaaskelainen was drafted with the seventh selection of the first round by St. Louis City SC.
Jaaskelainen, a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist, became the 35th Zip drafted during the MLS SuperDraft overall with his selection.
Jaaskelainen, who garnered First-Team All-Region honors this season for the second time, started all 21 games for Akron in 2024 en route to recording an NCAA-best 23 goals and 54 points, while also leading the nation in game-winning goals (6), goals per game (1.10) and points per tilt (2.57). He also ranks fourth in the nation in shots (4.38) and shot on goal (2.14) per match and 36th in total assists (8), while finishing the campaign posting the second-highest single-season goal total in program history en route to be a unanimous choice as BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-BIG EAST selection.
Jaaskelainen ranked first in the BIG EAST in goals (1.10), points (2.57), shots (4.38), shots on goal (2.14) per game as well as leading the league in total goals (23), shots (92), shots on goal (45), points (54) and game-winning goals (6) and rating fourth in assists (8). In league-only affairs, he led the BIG EAST in total goals (12), points (28), shots (34), shots on goal (18) and game-winners (4), as well as goals (1.50), points (3.50), shots (4.25), shots on goal (2.25) and game-winners (0.50) per contest, while rating third in total assists (4) and fifth in assists per tilt (0.50).
In eight BIG EAST games for Akron, Jaaskelainen recorded 12 of his NCAA-leading 23 goals on the strength of team-high marks in goals (12), points (28), shots (34), shots on goal (18) and game-winners (4), while ranking second in assists (4). He delivered a hat trick against Villanova (Oct. 12), while posting league braces versus Marquette (Oct. 26), Creighton (Oct. 23), DePaul (Oct. 19) and Butler (Sept. 20). Overall, he recorded nine multi-goal affairs on the season.
Jaaskelainen is first in D1 among active leaders in points (154) and goals (66), second in points per game (1.83) and in goals per tilt (0.79), 13th in assists (22), 22nd in assists per contest (0.26) and 25th in games played (84). Across all divisions, he is rated third in career goals (66) and points (154), 16th in points per contest (1.83) and 18th in goals per tilt (0.79).
Since 2008, Akron leads the country with eight players chosen among the top-five selections in the MLS SuperDraft. The Zips also boast the highest total of players picked among the top-10 draftees over the same span with 14.
Players selected in the draft with remaining collegiate eligibility who do not sign with their drafted club have the option of returning to their collegiate teams next season with drafting teams retaining their playing rights.
Developing players for the next level has become commonplace for the Akron staff as 51 Zips have gone on to play professionally either in Major League Soccer, USL or overseas since 2006, including No. 1 overall picks Joao Moutinho in 2018 and Steve Zakuani in 2009, and No. 2 overall picks Darlington Nagbe in 2011 and Darren Mattocks in 2012 - just to name a few. Nagbe was part of a draft class that set MLS draft day records for most players drafted from a single school in the first round (5) and overall (8).
Players Mentioned
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