Sporting KC takes midfielder Connor Hallisey with 10th pick in MLS SuperDraft

Sporting Kansas City opened a busy MLS SuperDraft by selecting midfielder Connor Hallisey with the 10th overall pick Thursday.

Hallisey scored nine goals and had 12 assists in his senior season at California last year.

After snapping a selfie with MLS commissioner Don Garber, Hallisey stepped to the podium in Philadelphia and thanked Sporting KC for drafting him.

“I would like to thank the league and Sporting Kansas City for believing in me,” he said. “Thank you very much for this opportunity.”

Sporting KC acquired the 10th pick from Philadelphia last month in exchange for C.J. Sapong. The club also owns the 12th and 20th selections in the first round and the 30th overall choice in the second round.

The league honored recently-retired Landon Donovan prior to the draft and announced it will name its annual most valuable player award after him.

This story was originally published January 15, 2015 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Sporting KC takes midfielder Connor Hallisey with 10th pick in MLS SuperDraft."