HIGH POINT, N.C. — High Point University men's soccer midfielder
Koven Johnson was selected by the Colorado Rapids with the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, December 18.
"This has been a dream for me since I was a kid, and for it to actually happen feels unreal," Johnson said. "I can't thank my family, friends, and teammates enough, and of course, the High Point coaching staff for helping me along this journey."
Johnson is the Panthers' first-ever third round pick and fifth overall since 2020. He joined teammates
Daniel Lugo (1st, 29th) and
Jefferson Amaya (2nd, 42nd) to make history as High Point became the first Big South Conference school to have three players drafted in the same year.
In two seasons, the Pittsburgh native has made an appearance in every match (35) with 21 starts and 2,109 minutes played. Johnson, a sophomore, scored his first collegiate goal against UNC Asheville on Sept. 29 and contributed to 10 clean sheets. As a freshman, Johnson helped the HPU Panthers to their first-ever victory over a No. 1 team in his hometown against the Pitt Panthers on Oct. 14, a 1-0 win for one of six clean sheets.
He won three Big South Conference trophies and helped High Point to its best season ever in 2025 that featured a 14-2-4 record, two Big South trophies and first-ever Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Johnson now heads west, where he played his club soccer at the Barca Academy in Arizona, to join the Colorado Rapids as they open the season Feb. 22 against the Seattle Sounders FC.
#GoHPU
All-time High Point MLS Super Draft Picks
2020-21 — Keegan Meyer, N.E. Revolution (2nd, 43rd)
2022-23 — Holden Trent, Philadelphia Union (1st, 28th)
2025-26 —
Daniel Lugo, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1st, 29th)
2025-26 —
Jefferson Amaya, Real Salt Lake (2nd, 42nd)
2025-26 —
Koven Johnson, Colorado Rapids (3rd, 70th)
