University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Gilman, Soerensen Selected in 2026 MLS SuperDraft
12/19/2025 12:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PITTSBURGH — Senior defender Jackson Gilman and sophomore defender Niklas Soerensen were selected Thursday afternoon in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.
Gilman was chosen 36th overall by Toronto FC, while Soerensen went 48th overall to Real Salt Lake.
The two selections give Pitt 12 MLS SuperDraft picks under head coach Jay Vidovich and mark the sixth consecutive year a Panther has been drafted.
Gilman served as team captain for three seasons and earned All-ACC honors three times during his career at Pitt. A Pennsylvania native, he appeared in 75 matches and logged 6,636 minutes anchoring the Panthers' back line. As a senior, he helped the defense record five clean sheets.
Soerensen appeared in 13 matches with 12 starts during his sophomore season, helping the defense produce five clean sheets. A Switzerland native, he earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors during his first season with the Panthers.
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
