Josh Bauer Selected by Atlanta United as 31st Overall Pick in MLS SuperDraft
1/21/2021 5:42:00 PM | Men's Soccer
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Bauer was a two-time All-American at UNH.
NEW YORK, N.Y. – 2020 University of New Hampshire men's soccer alum Josh Bauer (Bedford, N.H.) was drafted by Atlanta United FC in the second round as the 31st overall pick in the 2021 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday afternoon. Bauer is the second player in program history to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft as Chris Wingate was picked by New York City Football Club in the third round as the 54th overall pick in 2017.
"We are very proud of Josh and his development in our program," said UNH head coach Marc Hubbard. "From representing his home state to helping us win conference championships in the most successful three-year period in program history, we know Josh is ready for this opportunity. We are all very excited to track his progress and Atlanta United FC is not only getting a great player but a person of high character and work rate. He has definitely left the jersey in a much better place than when he had arrived. Best of luck and continue to make New Hampshire proud!"
Bauer is the most decorated player in program history and concluded his historic career at UNH in 2019 as he was the first player to be named a first team All-American. He was also a second team All-American in 2018. Also in 2019, Bauer was the first player in school history to be a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy which is given to the most outstanding player in college soccer.
Bauer won numerous accolades during his career which included All-Northeast Region first team honors (2018 & 2019), ECAC Defender of the Year (2018 & 2019), America East Defender of the Year (2018 & 2019), America East Tournament MVP (2018 & 2019), All-America East and ECAC first team (2018 & 2019).
In 2019, Bauer was one of only three student-athletes around the nation to earn first team All-America and first team Scholar All-America honors.
Bauer played in 60 career games at UNH with 10 goals and 10 assists for 30 points. America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen presenting Josh Bauer with his second straight AE Tournament MVP trophy in 2019 (Photo by Meghan Murphy).
During his three years at UNH the Wildcats went 40-10-10 (.750) and made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history. The Wildcats also won their first two America East Tournament championships (2018 & 2019. The Wildcats hosted three straight home NCAA First Round games at Wildcat Stadium, and in 2017 advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in program history falling to eventual NCAA runner-up No. 2 Indiana, 2-1.
In 2019, Bauer was a member of a defense which led the nation in team goals against average (.528) and shutout percentage (.650).
After the 2020 UNH season was postponed due to COVID-19, Bauer signed with Birmingham Legion of the United Soccer League Championship for the remainder of the season and appeared in three games.
Bauer is now the fourth Wildcat to be a part of an MLS organization. Along with Wingate being drafted by NYCFC, Travis Worra ('15) signed with D.C. United in February of 2015 and appeared in 19 games during his four years with the team. Dan Sirota ('00) was a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002. Josh Bauer was a two-time All-American (Photo bu Meghan Murphy)
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