The Pittsburgh Panthers Produce Another Future MLS Star
For the fourth season in a row, the Pittsburgh Panthers have seen one of their stars being selected in the MLS SuperDraft. Orlando City SC used the 25th pick to secure the signing of talented midfielder Filip Mirkovic, following an impressive season.
December proved to be a great month for the 6ft 2″ defensive midfielder as he was selected for the All-South Region First Team for the second consecutive season and was also invited to the MLS College Showcase, a prestigious MLS scouting event.
He was eventually drafted by the Orlando City SC, who finished last season in second place in the MLS Eastern Conference table.
Panthers fans will be hoping their 2024 roster will be strong enough to handle the loss of Mirkovic, and there are lots of players who have the potential to step up.
The Pittsburgh Panthers Brazilian contingent features heavily in the midfield with Leonardo Andrade, Lucas Rosa, Guilherme Feitosa, and Rodrigo Almeida all playing there.
In fact, the midfield has a definite cosmopolitan feel with Frenchmen Valentin Noel and Mathys Lefebvre joined by Italian midfielder Ideal Shefqeti, and Switzerland’s Jackson Walti.
Homegrown Mateo Stoka and Michael Sullivan will also be pushing for starting positions. This is great news for Panthers fans who want to back their team for the 2024 season with lots of options for PA Sports Betting. 2024 is set to be another exciting season for the Panthers and time will tell whether they can make it five seasons in a row where they have a player drafted to the MLS.
2024 will be an interesting season for Mirkovic who becomes the first University of Pittsburgh alumni to have been drafted by Orlando City. It is likely he will find himself with the B team during his first season, with Orlando’s midfield looking fairly settled.
His selection looks like an astute squad pick. However, his college form does show the potential that he could develop into a first-team player in time.
Mirkovic’s four years with the Panthers saw him make 71 starts from his 75 appearances, playing a total of 6,313 minutes. He became a midfield lynchpin during this time and he recorded 28 assists and nine goals during these four seasons.
This solid return for a defensive midfielder saw him being recognized as one of the team’s and league’s leading midfield talents, leading to him being drafted by a top MLS team.
Orlando City B competes in the MLS Next Pro League and is coached by MartÃn Perelman. Regular football for Mirkovic with Orlando’s B team will prepare him for the physicality of the MLS and give the coaches an opportunity to see him in action.
Another benefit of moving to this top MLS side is that they have technical partnerships with teams around the world. This includes Club Athletico Paranaense in Brazil, Portuguese giants S.L. Benfica, England’s Stoke City, and VfL Wolfsburg in Germany. This opens up the potential for loan moves or future transfers should he hit form for his current side.
Mirkovic’s move will be a huge inspiration to young Pennsylvania soccer fans who are training to reach the top.
