Flint, Mich. — Major League Soccer teams selected three Flint City Bucks players in the annual MLS SuperDraft, which was held Wednesday evening.

The Bucks remain the world’s only soccer club to send a player to MLS every year since the SuperDraft began in 1999. Ninety-seven Bucks have now been drafted or signed in that span, with more than 200 signing professional contracts worldwide.

Noel Caliskan (central midfielder) was selected 15th overall by the Portland Timbers. The central player from Cologne, Germany, debuted for the Bucks in June 2021. Caliskan also played in the youth systems of Bundesliga sides Köln and Fortuna Düsseldorf. Considered among the best midfielders eligible for the draft, the 22-year-old plays primarily a box-to-box role — able to flex as a playmaking No. 10. 

Emeka Eneli (forward) was selected 25th overall by Real Salt Lake. In his first USL League Two season with the Bucks in 2022, he played a highly lucrative midfield role — scoring five times, tied for second on the team. Eneli, who came to the Bucks from Cornell University, earned one of just three unanimous picks to the All-Ivy League First Team in 2022.

Charlie Sharp (forward) was selected 61st overall by Toronto FC. The striker from Brighton, Michigan, was another goal scoring star of the Bucks’ 2021 season. In his 2022 collegiate curtain call, he helped Western Michigan claim the MAC Championship.

"It was very exciting to see three of our guys selected in the MLS SuperDraft yesterday. Charlie Sharp has been drafted by Toronto and we are excited to see how his journey into the professional ranks develops. He was a strong attacking presence for us in 2021.  He featured in a number of games as our number 9 and was a powerful back to goal player.  Noel Caliskan is one of the most talented and versatile players that I have had the pleasure to work with and seeing him get snapped up by Portland was no surprise. We fully expect Noel to be a long term professional player and future MLS captain. And finally, easily one of the most talented players that has ever played for the Bucks is Emeka Eneli who was outstanding for us this past season.  He was massively influential in our Central Conference title and National Semifinal. Emeka will be a force to be reckoned with in the MLS and Salt Lake have pulled off quite a coup by calling his name." - Andy Wagstaff, Flint City Bucks Head Coach

The annual tradition of Flint City Bucks players getting drafted in the MLS Super draft continues and is simply unsurpassed in the USL League Two ranks. It’s evident that if you want to take your game to the professional level and win championships, there is no better place to play than the Flint City Bucks."

The Flint City Bucks are widely known as the most successful semi-professional team in U.S. soccer history, winning 4 USL national titles in 27 seasons — and a fourth USASA Hank Steinbrecher Cup in 2022.  The Bucks have 28 consecutive winning seasons under their belt, the most in US soccer history.

Season tickets for the 2023 Flint City Bucks are on sale now.  Click here to become a part of the action at Kettering’s iconic Atwood Stadium today!  www.flintcitybucks.com/ticket

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