Penn State men’s soccer defender Brandon Hackenberg was
selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft last week under unusual circumstances. The redshirt senior heard his name called No. 22 overall by Orlando City SC and holds the distinction of being in the first (and hopefully last) class affected by the coronavirus.
Due to the pandemic, Hackenberg and his Penn State teammates were stripped of a fall season, meaning all MLS draftees were given the opportunity to return to the collegiate level for an unorthodox spring campaign.
“It’s a unique opportunity, something that no one else has had to deal with,” Hackenberg said. “The NCAA has given all the seniors an extra year; it’s not just me, it’s everyone in the draft who has a decision to make. Right now, the best thing for me is to come back this season. I got a little bit of unfinished business that I want to take care of here.”