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Three Former Blues Selected in 2025 MLS Superdraft

By Anthony Boscia , 01/19/25, 8:45AM HST

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Ryan Baer, former Blues midfielder, was drafted in the First Round of the MLS SuperDraft at #28 by the Seattle Sounders.

Three former Asheville City men’s players were selected by MLS franchises in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. Midfielder Ryan Baer was the first of the trio to be picked when the Seattle Sounders made him the 28th overall selection in the first round of the draft. 10 picks later in the 2nd round of the draft, defender Charlie Harper was chosen by the Colorado Rapids to become the 2nd Blues player to be taken that day. The trio of Blues was then rounded out by defender Nico Cavallo, who heads to the Big Apple after he was picked 88th overall in the third round by New York City FC.

Baer, a North Carolina native, spent three seasons with Asheville City under Head Coach Scott Wells and played collegiately at West Virginia University. Baer was a part of two South Central Division titles and a Southern Southern title and played a key role in the Blues’ 2024 undefeated regular season and national semifinal appearance.


Charlie Harper was drafted in the Second Round at #38 by the Colorado Rapids.

Harper spent only one season with the Blues, but was a key cog in a defense that posted 7 regular season shutouts and allowed a meager 6 goals in 12 regular season games. Harper played collegiately at the University of North Carolina.


Nico Cavallo was picked #88 overall in the Third Round by New York City FC.

In Cavallo’s only season in Asheville, he also played a major role in the Blues’ defense that propelled ACSC to finishing at the top of the regular season USL2 table. Cavallo played collegiately for 4 years at Davidson College before spending his final year of NCAA ball at UCLA.

Asheville City has now had 8 total players taken in the last three SuperDrafts. The club had none selected in the 2024 edition but recorded a whopping 5 draftees back in 2023.

To see the next wave of future soccer stars coming through Western NC, season tickets can be purchased here. The Men in Blue will look to tally their third straight division title this year and hope to finally bring home the USL2 National Title back to Asheville.