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With the 7th pick in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, Minnesota United FC has selected Indiana Forward Mason Toye.
Toye chose to forgo his final three seasons of eligibility with the Hoosiers two weeks ago, signing a Generation Adidas contract and entering the MLS SuperDraft.
This marks the third straight SuperDraft in which a Hoosier has been selected. In 2016 Femi Hollinger-Janzen was selected by New England Revolution and in 2017 Minnesota United selected Tanner Thompson. Toye is the 46th Hoosier drafted and the 11th first round pick in the 22 year history of the MLS.
The South Orange, NJ native was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading Indiana with 10 goals, which was also tied for first in the Big Ten. The 6’3” forward was also named to Top Drawer Soccer’s First-Team Freshman Best XI, College Soccer News’ All-Freshman First Team, and he was also a First-Team Big Ten Honoree.
Toye is a big-bodied forward who is also able to get past defenders with his quickness. He’ll need to develop into a more physical player, but given his talents he should become a contributor and possibly a go-to guy up top for a team that went 10-18-6 last season and had a goal differential of -23.
With Toye’s departure, Indiana will look to Justin Rennicks to fill the void he leaves. Rennicks missed much of the 2017 season with an injury, but he was heralded as one of the top recruits in the 2017 class and tallied an assist in IU’s Big Ten Tournament semifinal match against Ohio State.
Toye and Minnesota United FC will open their season against former Hoosier Tommy Thompson and San Jose Earthquakes on March 3rd.