The New England Revolution went for speed with their two first-round selections in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft on Friday, selecting forward Tajon Buchanan ninth overall and winger DeJuan Jones 11th.
Buchanan was tabbed by many to be selected in the top five, with some suggesting he was a shoe-in for the top pick. Slipping to ninth, Buchanan showcased speed at the MLS Combine after scoring 12 goals in 33 career appearances at Syracuse.
The Mississauga, Ontario, native was named First Team All-ACC this year. A Generation Adidas player, his salary will not count towards the club’s senior roster.
Jones also slipped in the draft, originally thought to be taken in the top 10. His eye-popping MLS Combine numbers helped him move up the board, earning top times in the 30-meter dash (3.82 seconds) and the shuttle run (3.92 seconds).
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In 75 career appearances at Michigan State, Jones scored 16 goals and had 14 assists.
🚨First goal of the 2019 @adidassoccer #MLSCombine 🚨
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 5, 2019
DeJuan Jones of @MSUmsoccer chips it in! pic.twitter.com/IXKFEHOpQT
Players with New England connections included New Hampshire native second-overall pick Siad Haji who played one season at New England College before transferring to VCU. And at No. 17 overall, Real Salt Lake took Harvard midfielder Sam Brown.
Dan can be reached at dan.shulman@globe.com; follow him on Twitter @DanielRShulman.