NEW YORK (January 11, 2022) – MLS expansion club Charlotte FC selected Ben Bender with the first overall pick in MLS SuperDraft 2022 presented by adidas just minutes ago.  The player will be available to the media this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET.
WHAT Media Availability with No. 1 Overall Pick
WHEN Tuesday, Jan. 11, 3:30 p.m. ET
JOIN Virtual Press Conference: Click Here
Passcode: SuperDraft
An All-Big Ten selection in each his first two seasons at the University of Maryland and Generation adidas player, Ben Bender was the unanimous Big Ten Midfielder of the Year selection in 2021 after scoring seven goals and notching five assists in 18 games. He also garnered first-team All-American honors from the United Soccer Coaches following that campaign. As a freshman, Bender started all 11 games for the Terrapins, scoring two goals. Bender prepped at Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Md., where he was named a 2019 Allstate All-American and was a two-time All-MIAA selection.
Additional players selected in the MLS SuperDraft will be available to the media via club-run virtual press conferences. The site will also offer media with a comprehensive rights-free package including soundbytes, b-roll, photo assets, logos and more.
The virtual player selection event, which consists of three rounds, is currently streaming live on MLSSoccer.com, the MLS App, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. In addition, the MLS SuperDraft Tracker will update every pick from each round in real time.
