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GCU players Esai Easley, Justin Rasmussen taken in first round of Major League Soccer SuperDraft

Grand Canyon's men's soccer team made a splash this season by hosting an NCAA Tournament game.

It made another national splash Tuesday when Esai Easley and Justin Rasmussen were taken in the first round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

Easley, the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, was taken 22nd overall by Sporting Kansas City.

Five picks later, Rasmussen, a midfielder, was chosen by the Portland Timber.

GCU was one of only six colleges with more than one player chosen in the first round.

Easley and Rasmussen were a part of three NCAA Tournament teams with GCU. They became GCU's first MLS SuperDraft picks since Amer Sasivarevic was chosen 57th overall and Niki Jackson 73rd in 2018.

GCU went 23-6 in the last two seasons that Easley and Rasmussen played, helping the Antelopes to Top 25 national status.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 GCU players taken in first round of Major League Soccer draft