SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes selected UNLV midfielder Kevin Partida in the third round (No. 58 overall) and passed in the fourth round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft on Sunday. The Quakes selected three players in the first two rounds in Philadelphia on Friday, including Partida’s UNLV teammate Danny Musovski.
“Kevin is a midfielder that got our attention last season, in particular head coach Ian Russell of our USL affiliate in Reno,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “As a player originally from just outside Reno, he comes highly recommended by UNLV head coach Rich Ryerson. Kevin impressed us with his technical ability and quality decision making under pressure. We’re excited to have him join our organization.”
Partida, 22, is coming off a redshirt senior season in which he tallied two assists in 19 appearances, all starts, earning Second Team All-Western Athletic Conference honors. He also spent the summer of 2017 with FC Tucson of the Premier Development League (PDL), scoring two goals in nine games.
The native of Sparks, Nevada, has been a leader in the Rebels’ midfield since his freshman season of 2013. Partida tallied one game-winning assist against Houston Baptist and was the lone freshman to start all 19 games that year. As a sophomore in 2014, Partida scored two goals in 22 starts, leading UNLV to the WAC Tournament Championship. He was named to the All-Tournament Team and selected as the UNLV Nike Invitational MVP that season.
Partida had his best season statistically in 2015, finishing second on the team with four goals and three assists, while starting all 20 games. He was named to the WAC All-Tournament Team for the second consecutive season, before a knee injury suffered ahead of his senior year caused him to redshirt in 2016.
Prior to college, Partida led his club team, Sagebrush SC, to a runner-up finish in the 2012 State Cup and was a semifinalist at the 2012 Surf Cup. He also led Sparks High School to the Nevada State Championship Game in 2012, and earned All-Region honors that season.
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes select UNLV M Kevin Partida in the third round (No. 58 overall) and pass in the fourth round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
Kevin Partida
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: N/A
Born: March 10, 1995
Hometown: Sparks, Nevada
Last Club: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NCAA)
College: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Roster Designation: Domestic
