New York, NY — Five players from the Flint City Bucks were selected by Major League Soccer teams in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft yesterday afternoon, Dec. 19, 2023.

The Bucks have now sent 103 graduates to MLS since 1999 and remain the world’s only soccer club to send a player to the league in every year of the SuperDraft era.

Hugo Bacharach (D/M | Senior | Indiana) was selected 9th overall by Minnesota United FC. Palmer Ault (F | Sophomore | Butler) was selected 34th overall by Colorado Rapids. Jason Shokalook (F | Junior | Akron) was selected 35th overall by Chicago Fire FC. Malik Henry (M/F | Junior | Akron) was selected 39th overall by CF Montréal. Jonathan Robinson (D | R. Junior | Western Michigan) was selected 80th overall by Sporting Kansas City.

Bacharach played the past two seasons in Flint, leading the Bucks to back-to-back USL League Two Central Conference titles. The center back was named USL2 Defender of the Year for 2023. This fall, Bacharach helped Indiana reach the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals after claiming the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles. He was named to the conference second and all-tournament teams. Midway through the season, he was deployed in central midfield to jumpstart the offense. Bacharach tallied four assists and four goals.

Ault debuted for the Bucks in 2023 after a blistering start to his college career. The speedy winger was unanimously picked as Big East Freshman of the Year after tallying 10 goals and six assists to lead Butler. He was named to the conference first team and the United Soccer Coaches regional first team. As a sophomore, he was on the MAC Hermann Trophy watchlist. He scored six goals, plus an invite to the exclusive pre-draft combine.

Shokalook led Flint City in scoring this past summer and carried that form into Big East Offensive Player of the Year form with Akron. The striker entered postseason play ranked first in the entire NCAA in both goals (14) and points (33). He had five assists over 17 starts. He was also named to the Big East all-conference first team. The fourth-season Akron attacker has now accumulated 26 goals and 17 assists over his college career.

Henry, who excelled at every position on the right side for the Bucks in 2023, has amassed 12 assists in three seasons for the Zips. The Canadian international has earned Mid-American Conference honors twice. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, he was on the Canadian U-15 national team. Henry also has experience with the Toronto FC academy.

Robinson, another 2023 addition for the Bucks, quickly locked down his left-back role with stellar defending and electric setup play on the attack. This fall, he helped the Broncos clinch their program-first regular-season championship in the Missouri Valley Conference. WMU surrendered just 13 goals on the season. Robinson had nine assists.

Last year saw three Bucks drafted, including two first-rounders: Noel Caliskan (15th overall, Portland Timbers) and Emeka Eneli (25th, Real Salt Lake) are now MLS regulars. Charlie Sharp (61st, Toronto FC) returned for the fall at Western Michigan.

The Flint City Bucks, members of USL League Two, are widely known as the most successful semi-professional team in the U.S. In 2023, the Bucks won their league-record 10th conference title. Qualifying for the playoffs for an unprecedented 25th time in 27 seasons, the Bucks claimed their first division title of the Flint era and 15th overall.

Flint City Bucks and Flint City AFC season tickets for the summer 2024 season are on sale now. Visit flintcitybucks.com to join the Flint City family today!

Keep up with Flint City:

flintcitybucks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

flintcityafc.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Connect with fellow supporters!

Join the Flint City Bucks group on Facebook.