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University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Smir Selected By FC Dallas In MLS SuperDraft
January 12, 2022 | Men's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina senior goalkeeper Alec Smir was selected by FC Dallas in the third round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas Tuesday. Smir, who was taken with the 62nd overall pick, is the 50th player in school history to be chosen in the SuperDraft.
Smir, 22, appeared in 66 matches in goal for Tar Heels. He recorded 0.83 goals against average, made 131 saves and had a 70.1 saves percentage. He posted a 21-8-6 record and 13 shutouts in four seasons with North Carolina. As a senior, Smir earned First-Team All-ACC honors and led the conference with 10 shutouts and a 1.03 GAA. He posted a league best 0.57 goals against average as a junior.
From 2013-16, Smir was the NC Fusion Academy goalkeeper for the U-14, U-16 and U-18 teams. He was called up to a U.S. Men's National Team U-18 training camp in January 2017 and previously attended USYNT camps in 2015 and 2016.
The Tar Heels have had at least one player selected in the SuperDraft each season since 2005.
Freshman Tega Ikoba also earned the opportunity to pursue a professional MLS career Tuesday, signing to a homegrown contract with the Portland Timbers through the 2024 season. Ikoba played one season at UNC, where he scored a team-high six goals and tallied two assists in 19 appearances, earning ACC All-Freshman Team honors.
Ikoba is the seventh Tar Heel to sign a homegrown contract with a MLS club since 2008.
Smir, 22, appeared in 66 matches in goal for Tar Heels. He recorded 0.83 goals against average, made 131 saves and had a 70.1 saves percentage. He posted a 21-8-6 record and 13 shutouts in four seasons with North Carolina. As a senior, Smir earned First-Team All-ACC honors and led the conference with 10 shutouts and a 1.03 GAA. He posted a league best 0.57 goals against average as a junior.
From 2013-16, Smir was the NC Fusion Academy goalkeeper for the U-14, U-16 and U-18 teams. He was called up to a U.S. Men's National Team U-18 training camp in January 2017 and previously attended USYNT camps in 2015 and 2016.
The Tar Heels have had at least one player selected in the SuperDraft each season since 2005.
Freshman Tega Ikoba also earned the opportunity to pursue a professional MLS career Tuesday, signing to a homegrown contract with the Portland Timbers through the 2024 season. Ikoba played one season at UNC, where he scored a team-high six goals and tallied two assists in 19 appearances, earning ACC All-Freshman Team honors.
Ikoba is the seventh Tar Heel to sign a homegrown contract with a MLS club since 2008.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Soccer
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