CHICAGO (Friday, Jan. 11, 2019) The LA Galaxy selected midfielder Emil Cuello with the 19th pick and forward Don Tchilao with the 36th pick in today’s MLS SuperDraft. The Galaxy traded the 12th pick in the draft to NYCFC in exchange for the 19th pick and $75,000 in General Allocation Money.
Cuello, 22, joins the Galaxy after completing a four-year career at Southern Methodist University. In 72 career games for SMU, Cuello recorded 12 goals and 17 assists.
In his freshman year at SMU, Cuello was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team. His junior year, American Athletic Conference named Cuello Most Outstanding Offensive Player. His senior season, he was recognized as American Athletic Conference Tournament’s Most Valuable Player and First Team All-American Athletic Conference.
Tchilao, 22, is drafted by the Galaxy after a four-year career at Oregon State, where he recorded 15 goals and 13 assists in 71 appearances for the Beavers. In his senior season, he totaled 20 starts with seven goals and nine assists.
Born in Benin and raised in Chandler, Ariz., Tchilao was Second Team All-Pac-12 in 2017 and First Team All-Pac-12 in 2018.
The LA Galaxy will kick off their 2019 season when the Galaxy host Chicago Fire on Saturday, March 2 at 5 p.m. PT. Tickets to that match are on sale now, available here.
Name: Emil Cuello
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 lbs.
Born: Jan. 2, 1997
Age: 22
Last Club: Southern Methodist University
Hometown: Orem, Utah
Nationality: United States
Name: Don Tchilao
Position: Forward
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Born: Aug. 20, 1996
Age: 22
Last Club: Oregon State University
Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.
Nationality: Benin
