Being drafted in the MLS SuperDraft is the dream of many. North Carolina native, Ian Pilcher hoped on becoming a professional soccer player, but didn’t expect to be selected as the 24th overall pick for San Diego FC.
“No, I didn't expect that at all, and to come in this great position here in San Diego was an even more incredible and more like unbelievable,” explained Pilcher. “Seeing your name pop-up and then getting the call from Mikey and Tyler and just the pure like jubilation that you feel is different feelings.”
Pilcher was playing with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte when he got the call. In 2024, he earned first-team All-AAC honors, was a two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Week and one-time AAC Honorable Mention of the Week.
The defender fell in love with playing soccer at a really young age. Pilcher recalled playing at three-years-old and knowing he wanted to play at a high level it a couple of years later.
“It’s just watching professionals and hearing about it from other guys; it's never left my heart,” Pilcher said.
Since being drafted on December 20, the defender has started seven matches, played 13 matches and has contributed one goal and one assist. Pilcher scored his first MLS goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 19 to tie the match 1-1.
“It was a great feeling to get in a good game where we equalized against Vancouver at a top of the table match, but I felt really blessed in that moment,” added Pilcher. “My family was here in town and then also to do it with the Club who I consider family was just really special.”
San Diego FC has become a family away from home for the defender. With a smile on his face, he explained how defender Chris McVey and Paddy McNair are like brother and uncle figures.
“It's great. They take on many roles in my eyes, one's like an older brother, they're playful with me, they take me under their wing. Ones like a mentor, an older wise uncle so they're really good,” the defender explained. “They have a laugh with me but then, when it's time to get serious, they tell me what I can get better at and they bring me along with them, and that's what their job is, and they've done it so excellently.”
When the North Carolina native isn’t on the pitch, he enjoys reading and being outdoors. Being by the mountains at the facility has helped make the adjustment to living in San Diego easier.
“I come from the South so like a country boy, I love the wilderness and that's like the great mountains are out here. I love food, so coming here to San Diego, getting some of the South of the border food and everything here, it's been phenomenal,” said Pilcher.
The defender added how he’s very family oriented and how he calls his family and friends back home. Pilcher was with his parents and three siblings; his two twin sisters and twin brother when he got the call from SDFC.
“Even away from the training pitch, the locker room, and even away from that, you can tell that this group is more like family than any other club or team that I’ve heard about, or been a part of,” added the North Carolina native.
Catch the defender and the Club back in action at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, September 13 for Hispanic Heritage Night, presented by Michelob ULTRA. Buy your tickets here to cheer on the squad and join SDFC for an unforgettable night!
