MANHATTAN – Former FGCU men's soccer standout Nicolas Samayoa became the program's seventh professional player and third in the Major League Soccer ranks when the central defender was selected by the New England Revolution with the 9th pick in the 4th round of the MLS SuperDraft Sunday afternoon.
 
The unanimous 2017 ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, Samayoa was the 78th overall pick by the Revs – the team's only pick of the day. During his four-year career with the Eagles, Samayoa was a three-time ASUN selection and anchored the FGCU backline by making 65 starts in 66 games – tied for the 7th-most in program history.
 
The 6-2 Samayoa joins Aaron Guillen – who signed a homegrown contract with FC Dallas in 2016 – and Rodrigo Saravia – who was selected 19th overall in the First Round of the SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew that same year – as the program's three MLS products, in addition to four other professional players in just the 11-year history of the team.
 
"I can't thank FGCU enough for the opportunity they gave me to play in the U.S. while getting my degree," said Samayoa, who found out the news via his agent while back home in his native Guatemala. "FGCU gave me all the tools I needed to become a professional player, and also made me a better person. I couldn't have done it without the help of my coaches and teammates. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I'm excited to chase my dream with a great franchise like the New England Revolution."
 
After being named to the ASUN Second Team as a sophomore, Samayoa – who expects to fly to Boston on Monday already – landed on the ASUN First Team each of the past two seasons. Additionally, he was a 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team member.
 
Samayoa logged the 2nd-most minutes on the Eagles this past fall with 1,430 – one of just two members of the Green and Blue to play at least 1,400. He started all 15 matches he appeared in, and played a vital role in seven FGCU shutouts. After scoring just three total goals through his first three years, Samayoa tallied three goals this past year alone, in addition to issuing an assist for seven points. His 5,981 career minutes logged are the 5th-most in program lore.
 
"Nico is special," stated FGCU head coach Jesse Cormier. "I think the New England Revolution made a great choice to take one of the most complete players in the draft. He has exquisite skill, poise and technical composure, and makes excellent tactical decisions.
 
"On top of that, Nico is arguably the most competitive player and defender I have ever coached," Cormier added. "He not only meets the daily demands, but he consistently goes far above and beyond the level. His high level of dedication, professionalism and strong leadership skills are indicative of his excellent character. It was a true honor and privilege to be a coach for Nico (even for less than a year), and as a program we couldn't be more proud of him and his achievements here at FGCU.
 
"He epitomizes the academic, athletic and personal character standards that we look to recruit and cultivate here as a member of the FGCU men's soccer team," Cormier continued. "His incredible impact on the program and future legacy here will never be forgotten. We will always hold him up as the gold standard of how we study, compete, train and represent the program to the rest of the country."
 
Samayoa will be joining a Revs team which is coached by former USA National Team goalkeeper and three-time World Cup participant Brad Friedel. The Revolution – owned by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft – have played in five MLS Cup finals, most recently in 2014.
 
Samayoa helped lead the Eagles to their ninth-straight winning season courtesy of an 8-6-3 overall record in 2017. FGCU posted a 4-1-1 ASUN mark to claim the No. 2 seed in the ASUN Tournament, continuing a stretch of never being seeded lower than 2nd and reaching at least the semifinals in all seven years the program has been eligible for the postseason.
 
FGCU climbed as high as #15 in the College Soccer News Poll, marking the fourth-straight season – each of Samayoa's years – the club has been nationally ranked. During his time with the Eagles, Samayoa was part of two ASUN regular-season championships and a pair of ASUN Tournament titles and NCAA appearances – including helping the Eagles advance to the Second Round for the first time in 2016.
 
Samayoa becomes the aforementioned seventh FGCU product playing professionally, joining – in addition to the previously-mentioned players – Nathan Ingham and Cristian Raudales of FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League, Daniel Stanese of FC Augsburg II in Germany and Manny Gonzalez of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL. Gonzalez spent 2008-10 with the Eagles, and Stanese signed professionally in February of 2013 following his freshman season with Germany's top-tier Bundesliga for FC Nuremberg. Ingham was one of three Eagles to sign a pro deal in 2016, while Raudales wrapped up his career in the Green and Blue in 2011.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men's soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer, Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer, Facebook /FGCUMSoccer and YouTube /FGCUAthletics.
 
HEAD COACH JESSE CORMIER
Jesse Cormier guided FGCU to an 8-6-3 (4-1-1 ASUN) record in his 1st season with the team in 2017. The Eagles reached the ASUN Tournament semifinals for the 7th-straight season (every year of eligibility), and Cormier coached a program-record 10 all-conference selections. Hired in January of 2017 to become just the 2nd head coach in program history, Cormier was the head coach at Vermont for the previous 13 seasons. He won 14 games with the Catamounts in 2016 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. During his time with Vermont, Cormier guided the program to the America East Tournament in 12 of 13 seasons, making five title game appearances, winning two tournament crowns, claiming a regular-season championship and advancing to three NCAA tournaments, including a pair of Second Round appearances. Cormier has a 122-95-50 (.551 winning percentage) overall record as a head coach.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.