Lyam MacKinnon, a four-year starter who led Villanova in goals in each of the past two seasons, was selected by Nashville SC in the third round of Major League Soccer's 2023 SuperDraft, held on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The native of Lausanne, Switzerland helped lead the Wildcats to the program's first ever NCAA Tournament victory in 2021, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory at Vermont.
 
"Lyam has worked incredibly hard toward this moment," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "There is no doubt that he has developed the necessary skills on both sides of the ball to make an immediate impact at Nashville.
 
"It's always an honor to see a Wildcats' name called on Draft Day."
 
MacKinnon joins a distinguished group of Villanova players to have heard their named called at an MLS that includes current Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin (Chicago Fire in 2001), Mike Seamon (Seattle Sounders FC in 2010), Kevin Garcia (New England Revolution in 2012 Supplemental Draft), and Chris Bared (Seattle Sounders FC in 2018).
 
Over his four seasons in the Blue and White, MacKinnon scored 17 goals as an attacking midfielder and forward, highlighted by an eight goal campaign in 2021. The eight goals were the most scored in a single season by a Villanova player since 2015. The BIG EAST coaches voted MacKinnon second team All-BIG EAST in 2022 and he is also a part of the Philly Soccer Six All-Star team.