MADISON, Wis. – Junior goalkeeper Nate Crockford became the 14th Badger chosen all time in the MLS draft on Tuesday during the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. Crockford went in the third round at No. 65 by D.C. United.

"We are thrilled for Nate," head coach Neil Jones said. "What an incredible opportunity that awaits him at DC United at the highest level of professional soccer in this country. I'm sure Nate would be the first person to acknowledge the work of his Wisconsin teammates that have helped provide this platform for him to showcase his ability to MLS scouts and coaches."

The Northfield, Illinois, native, completed his first season with the Badgers this fall, posting seven shutouts in 17 games played to lead the Big Ten with .412 shutouts per game. He ranked fourth in the Big Ten at 1.06 goals-against per game and played every minute in goal for UW during 2023. He spent his first two collegiate seasons at UCLA.
 

With the 65th pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, D.C. United select Nathan Crockford from the University of Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/d83YFqBbsE

— D.C. United (@dcunited) December 20, 2023

Crockford earned recognition during the season on the TopDrawerSoccer National Team of the Week after beginning the season with consecutive shutouts. He also was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after blanking Ohio State in Columbus on Oct. 20.

He is the first Badger since Mitch Guitar was picked by the Chicago Fire in 2021 to get picked.

"Another great day to be a Wisconsin Badger. Congratulations Nate!"
 
WISCONSIN'S ALL-TIME MLS DRAFT PICKS

NAME	YEAR	ROUND	PICK	TEAM
Nate Crockford	2024	Third	65th	D.C. United
Mitch Guitar	2021	Third	60th	Chicago Fire
Chris Mueller	2018	First	Sixth	Orlando City SC
Mark Segbers	2018	First	Ninth	New England Revolution
Tom Barlow	2018	Second	39th	New York Red Bulls
Mike Catalano	2018	Third	54th	Philadelphia Union
Drew Connor	2015			Chicago Fire (Homegrown Player)
AJ Cochran^	2014	First	16th	Houston Dynamo
Aaron Hohlbein*	2007	First	Third	Kansas City Wizards
Nick Van Sicklen	2005	Second	19th	D.C. United
Dominic DaPra	2002	Fourth	43rd	Kansas City Wizards
Narciso Fernandes	2001	Fifth	59th	Kansas City Wizards
Mike Gentile	2000	Sixth	66th	Tampa Bay Mutiny
Travis Roy*	1998	Second	14th	MetroStars
Mike Gentile#	1996	First	Ninth	Colorado Rapids
Scott Lamphear#	1996	Second	11th	New York/New Jersey MetroStars

^ - Generation Adidas program
* - MLS Supplemental Draft
# - MLS College Draft