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Pitt defenders Jackson Gilman and Niklas Soerensen selected in MLS SuperDraft

In keeping its tradition going as a pathway to the professional ranks, two members of Pitt men’s soccer program were selected in Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday, as defender Jackson Gilman was taken by Toronto FC and defender Niklas Soerensen was chosen by Real Salt Lake.

Gilman was a starter for all four seasons on Pitt’s backline. The former Philadelphia Union Academy standout started his Pitt career as a freshman outside back on the last Panthers squad that made it to the NCAA Men’s Division I College Cup (in 2022).

In his sophomore season at Pitt in 2025, Soerensen appeared in 13 games while making 12 starts while in his freshman season in 2024, earned ACC All-Freshman team honors and led all Pitt players in minutes played. In the win over Syracuse on October 18, showed his playmaking ability with two assists.

Together, Gilman and Soerensen anchored the Panthers’ back line to five clean sheets and a 1.28 GAA in 2025 and the team’s run to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight, they contributed to seven clean sheets and a 0.99 GAA in 2024.

Gilman will join another former Pitt standout, Michael Sullivan with the Reds organization.  In his first pro season, the former Deer Lakes/Steel City FC product served as a captain with Toronto FC II’s MLS Next Squad.

Pitt has now had a player taken in every SuperDraft in eight of the past nine years (see full list below).

Thursday’s full SuperDraft coverage can be found on MLSsoccer.com and MLS social handles.

Panthers Drafted Under Head Coach Jay Vidovich

2018 – Pol Planellas – Second Round, 24th Overall Pick – Los Angeles FC
2019 – Javi Perez – Third Round, 64th Overall Pick – Los Angeles FC
2021 – Edward Kizza – First Round, 24th Overall Pick – New England Revolution
2022 – Arturo Ordoñez – Second Round, 39th Overall Pick – Houston Dynamo
2022 – Jasper Löeffelsend – Third Round, 81st Overall Pick – Real Salt Lake
2023 – Bertin Jacquesson – First Round, 16th Overall Pick – Real Salt Lake
2023 – Valentin Noel – First Round, 20th Overall Pick – Austin FC
2023 – Jackson Walti – Second Round, 56th Overall Pick – Austin FC
2024 – Filip Mirkovic – Second Round, 54th Overall Pick – Orlando City SC
2025 – Michael Sullivan – Second Round, 39th Overall Pick – Toronto FC

2026 — Jackson Gilman — Second Round, 36th Overall Pick — Toronto FC

2026 — Niklas Soerensen  — Second Round, 48th Overall Pick — Real Salt Lake

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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