SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes have signed defender Daniel Munie to a contract for the 2023 MLS season with club options through 2026. Munie was selected in the first round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft (No. 10 overall) in December.
Munie, 23, rose from a sparsely recruited high school player, with just two Division I offers, to becoming the second player ever to earn back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards (2021-22) during his time at Indiana University. He also earned United Soccer Coaches Third-Team All-America honors in each of the past two seasons and led Indiana to the national championship game in 2020 and 2022. He finished his collegiate career with 84 appearances, 75 starts, nine goals and five assists, while helping secure 41 shutouts and never receiving a single booking.
“We’re excited to sign Daniel to a first-team contract,” said Earthquakes General Manager Chris Leitch. “We strongly felt he was among the best central defenders in this draft class, and we were impressed by his performance throughout preseason.”
Munie scored two goals during preseason competition: one against Monterey Bay F.C. and one against Minnesota United FC.
Daniel Munie
(MEW-nee)
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 181 lbs.
Born: Feb. 10, 2000
Hometown: Maryland Heights, Mo.
Preferred Foot: Right
College: Indiana University
Roster Designation: Domestic
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes sign SuperDraft selection D Daniel Munie to a contract for the 2023 season with club options throughout 2026.
