University of Massachusets Athletics
Alec Hughes Selected 22nd In 2025 MLS SuperDraft By LAFC
December 20, 2024 | Men's Soccer
The graduate forward becomes the third Minuteman to play in the MLS behind Yosuke Yanya ('22) and Mike Butler ('97)
NEW YORK – Graduate forward Alec Hughes has been selected with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft by LAFC, announced by the league on Friday afternoon. Hughes joins the Los Angeles Football Club after a historic five-year career with Massachusetts, tallying a program-best 51 goals, adding eight assists for 110 points across 87 games with the Minutemen.
Coming off his graduate season, Hughes has racked up the accolades after leading the Atlantic 10 and ranking third in the nation in goals (16) and helping UMass get to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. Hughes was first team All-Conference and named Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year for the third season in a row: becoming the only player to win the award in three consecutive seasons. He also is the only Atlantic 10 player to win both Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in their career, and the only 3x Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year.
Hughes was named to United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America in addition to First Team All-Region and Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference. The forward tabbed New England Soccer Journal's DI Men's Player of the Year for his efforts in the 2024 campaign, including an All-ECAC First Team Selection.
After a stellar fifth year, Hughes carved his name into the record books. His 16 goals this season made him the new program leader in goals scored at UMass, totaling 51 to pass Hall of Famer Jeff Deren in addition to tying Deren and Adam Black for the third-most goals scored in a single season. He also ranked sixth in single season points with 33. The graduate forward tallied 110 points over the course of his collegiate career, becoming the second Minuteman to reach the century mark and placing him second in program history.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 29th season in 2024 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.
Coming off his graduate season, Hughes has racked up the accolades after leading the Atlantic 10 and ranking third in the nation in goals (16) and helping UMass get to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. Hughes was first team All-Conference and named Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year for the third season in a row: becoming the only player to win the award in three consecutive seasons. He also is the only Atlantic 10 player to win both Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in their career, and the only 3x Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year.
Hughes was named to United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America in addition to First Team All-Region and Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference. The forward tabbed New England Soccer Journal's DI Men's Player of the Year for his efforts in the 2024 campaign, including an All-ECAC First Team Selection.
After a stellar fifth year, Hughes carved his name into the record books. His 16 goals this season made him the new program leader in goals scored at UMass, totaling 51 to pass Hall of Famer Jeff Deren in addition to tying Deren and Adam Black for the third-most goals scored in a single season. He also ranked sixth in single season points with 33. The graduate forward tallied 110 points over the course of his collegiate career, becoming the second Minuteman to reach the century mark and placing him second in program history.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 29th season in 2024 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.
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