Sounders cap off 2016 MLS draft haul with midfielder and defender

Yes, the MLS SuperDraft was still going today. The third and fourth rounds were carried out via conference call by the league, and its importance (or lack thereof) was underlined by the fact that a number of teams passed on their picks today. Nevertheless, the Seattle Sounders picked up two more players today that they'll be hoping to get something out of now or in the future.

With the 54th overall pick, the Sounders selected Emir Alihodzic, a midfielder out of the University of Nebraska Omaha. Alihodzic, born in Bosnia and raised in St. Louis, played in all 18 games for UNO in 2015, scoring 4 goals on 2 assists. The UNO Mavericks, who play in the NCAA Summit League, went 9-6-3 to finish second behind the University of Denver. Alihodzic earned All-West Region Third Team honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, as well as All-League honors for the 2015 season.

This is from the UNO Mavericks soccer broadcast analyst, Brian Patrick, on Alihodzic's talents:

@bedirthan @MaverickManiacs super intelligent soccer iq, 6'1, runs a sub 5 min mile so great engine

— Brian (@bpatrickh19) January 19, 2016

@bpatrickh19 @bedirthan I'd also add very versatile. Played defender and midfielder at various times. Took Omaha's PKs this year. Very well.

— Jonathan Green (@MaverickManiacs) January 19, 2016

With the 76th overall pick in the SuperDraft, the Sounders selected defender Michael Nelson out of Old Dominion University. A highly recruited player out of high school, Austin, TX native Nelson transferred to Old Dominion from NC State after his freshman year. A regular at center back for the ODU Monarchs all three years of his time there, Nelson finished the 2015 season with First Team Conference-USA honors, as well as All-Southeast First Team honors from the NSCAA.