Earthquakes bolster defense by picking Stanford center back in draft
SAN JOSE — The Earthquakes did not go far Thursday for their first of five picks in the Major League Soccer draft, taking Stanford defender Tanner Beason as No. 12 overall.
Beason, 22, is a two-time first-team All-American who helped Stanford reach the College Cup in three of his four years. Beason, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound defender, played left back his first two seasons before becoming a central defender.
The Quakes open their season Feb. 29 at home against Toronto FC, but Beason is unlikely to be with the squad for the opener, or for much of the season at all.
Beason, the 2018 Pac-12 player of the year, probably will spend much of the season with the Earthquakes’ United Soccer League affiliate in Reno.
San Jose added North Carolina midfielder Jack Skahan with the first pick in the second round at No. 27 overall.
Expansion Inter Miami CF took Clemson forward Robbie Robinson as the top overall pick while expansion Nashville SC selected Indiana defender Jack Maher at No. 2.
Check back for more Quakes’ draft news and updates.