United have selected University of Albany forward Afonso Pinheiro with the 71st overall pick and Virginia Commonwealth University midfielder Rafael Andrade Santos with the 74th overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. The Black-and-Red traded their 49th overall pick (third round) in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft to the Chicago Fire to complete the 2016 trade for forward Kennedy Igboananike. United declined their 91st pick (fourth round).
Pinheiro made 81 appearances, scored 38 goals and recorded 15 assists for the University of Albany over four seasons. In 2017, the Brazil native earned a United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-East Region selection and a First Team All-America East Conference selection. He scored 13 goals in 2016 to make him the second all-time top scorer in a season for Albany and was named on the preseason watch list for the 2016 MAC Hermann Award that was won by Homegrown signing and former Wake Forest Deacon Ian Harkes.
Andrade Santos made 66 appearances for VCU over four seasons and scored 20 goals and recorded 10 assists. His 12 goals and five assists in 2017 earned him the Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year award, USC Second Team All-America selection, USC First Team All-Midwest Region selection, First Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference nomination and a VA SiD First Team All-State spot. Santos is a product of Brazil’s Flamengo FC academy (2003-2011).
Player: Afonso Pinheiro
Selection: 71st overall pick (fourth round) in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
Position: Forward
Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Country: Brazil
Birth date: 09/04/1995
Age: 22
Height: 6’2"
Weight: 190
Status: International
School: University of Albany
Honors:
- 2017: United Soccer Coaches (USC) Second Team All-East Region. First Team All-America East Conference. USC Scholar All-American.
- 2016: USC Second Team All-East Region. Second Team All-America East Conference.
- 2015: USC First Team All-East Region. America East Conference Striker of the Year. First Team All-America East Conference.
- 2014: America East Co-Rookie of the Year. Second Team All-America East Conference.
Player: Rafael Andrade Santos
Selection: 74th overall pick (fourth round) in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
Position: Midfield
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Country: Brazil
Birth date: 05/22/1995
Age: 22
Height: 5’7"
Weight: 140
Status: International
Honors:
- 2017: United Soccer Coaches (USC) Second Team All-America. Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year. USC First Team All-Midwest Region. First Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference. VA SiD First Team All-State
- 2016: USC Third Team All-Midwest Region. First Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference. VA SiD Second Team All-State.
- 2015: Second Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference. Stihl All-Tournament Team.
- 2014: Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team.
