Former NIU men’s soccer team forward Kevin Rodriguez was drafted 75th overall to the MLS by Minnesota United FC during the 2019 Super Draft on Monday afternoon.

Rodriguez was drafted with the first of two fourth-round picks in Minnesota’s possession.

Ryan Swan, Rodriguez’s former head coach and current NIU head coach thinks Rodriguez has found the ideal landing spot in Minnesota.

“There will be options for the organization to assign [Rodriguez] to [Minnesota United] or he could go to one of their affiliate teams,” Swan said. “I know [Rodriguez] is in great shape and is ready to go, so the hope is that he can go up and play in the MLS in the very near future. I actually think he has a great chance, I think he’s the kind of player they’ve been looking for. I think he’s going to the right organization as far as opportunities to play.”

Rodriguez served as a play-making forward, scoring 25 points across 59 career games for the Huskies. His 2018 senior season was his most productive at NIU compiling two goals and nine assists for 13 points in 18 games.

“[Rodriguez] is a phenomenal one-on-one attacking player,” Swan said. “He’s very fast with the ball at his feet. He’s got great skill; he’s very difficult for defenders to play against. He’s the kind of player teams are willing to pay a lot of money for; fans get excited to come and watch him because he’s the kind of player that can win games.”