San Jose Earthquakes select F Christian Thierjung and GK Auden Schilder in MLS SuperDraft

The San Jose Earthquakes completed their selections in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft with the additions of forward Christian Thierjung and goalkeeper Auden Schilder in rounds three and four respectively. Both players will join the Quakes for preseason training, which begins this Monday, with an eye towards earning a spot on the team’s roster.

Thierjung, a senior at the University of California, scored 27 goals and recorded 7 assists in his four years as a Golden Bear. The talented offensively minded player is considered both an attacking midfielder and a forward, and in a game for Cal against Harvard last season, scored an eye-popping 5 goals against an over-matched Crimson side. He was named to the 2016 All-Pac-12 First Team following his senior season.

Thierjung was also a vital member of the Burlingame Dragons FC during last summer’s USL-PDL season, scoring the game-winning-goal against Fresno in a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory that sent the Earthquakes affiliate to the USL PDL Western Conference Final Four. The 5’11” attacker followed up his impressive season with the Dragons by leading all Cal scorers with 9 goals — the second straight year he achieved that accomplishment.

Many MLS scouts projected that Thierjung would be selected in the first two rounds of the draft, so for the Quakes to get him at #6 in Round Three represents good value for the pick. In the 2017 SB Nation Mock Draft, Thierjung was projected as the Quakes second overall pick.

Schilder, a redshirt junior from the University of Washington, was a starter for the Huskies last season and secured five shutouts, earning All-Pac-12 Second Team honors. The 22 year old goalkeeper allowed only 18 goals in 20 games in 2016, the only season he was Washington’s primary #1. Schilder was a relative unknown coming out of college, and he was slated to appear at this year’s MLS Combine to get a look from coaches around the league, but he did not participate in the annual pre-draft event.

Both Thierjung and Schilder, as well as second round selection Lindo Mfeko, are not under contract and will attempt to earn their ways onto the Quakes roster ahead of the 2017 MLS regular season. If any or all don’t make the cut, they are eligible to sign with San Jose’s USL affiliate, Reno 1868 FC, as a possible stepping stone to later signing an MLS contract. Former Quakes assistant coach Ian Russell will guide Reno in its first season as an USL expansion team.

Christian Thierjung
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 lbs.
Born: Jan 5, 1995
Hometown: Dove Canyon, Calif.
College: University of California
Citizenship: USA

Auden Schilder
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-5
Weight: 205 lbs.
Born: Sept. 29, 1994
Hometown: Bellingham, Wash.
College: University of Washington
Citizenship: USA