By: Alex Jenkins (@acjenkins17, @1788sports)

Photo: courtesy of Tony Jones, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame

With the 14th pick in the MLS Superdraft, Atlanta United selected forward Jon Gallagher from the University of Notre Dame. Gallagher, a two time first team All-ACC player, had a stat line of 39 goals and 15 assists throughout his four year collegiate career. Let’s get to know a little more about Atlanta’s first round draft pick.

While in high school Gallagher had trials at Juventus FC (Seria A, Italy), Olympique Marseille (Ligue 1, France), Newcastle United (Premier League, England), and Blackburn Rovers (EFL Championship, England). Ultimately, he went on to play at Notre Dame and saw significant minutes during all four years, including starting every game his final three seasons. His play style is similar to that of Josef Martínez, a lethal goal scorer, but Gallagher also has a 1v1 attacking mindset. Both Josef and Gallagher are players who poach in the box and finish almost every chance that comes their way. Gallagher though, has the ability to take defenders on 1v1 and create his own chances. It will be interesting to see how Gallagher develops and where he fits in with the first team or ATLUTD2.

I was not sure who United were planning on taking in the first round but it is a little surprising to me that we selected Gallagher. My reasoning is that he will require an international spot, as he is from Ireland. Adding another international player to roster puts the team even further over their allotted roster spots for international players, the team can only have 7 and they have something like 10 or 11 as of now. So unless the front office has plans to get green cards, like they did for Chris McCann and Kenwyne Jones last year, for some players on the roster, we might be running into a problem. Gallagher was an MLS senior signing, meaning he signed a guaranteed contract with the MLS before the draft basically saying, “I will play for whatever team drafts me”. He gave up his option of not agreeing to a contract with the team who drafted him and going to play elsewhere, like Europe. Another big concern of mine is that if he is going to play with ATLUTD2, he will have to be sent out on loan because of his aforementioned MLS contract. I am sure the front office knew what they were doing so I trust them, it is just a little confusing with no additional details of their plan with Gallagher.