Barca Residency Academy is proud to announce that two of its standout alumni were drafted in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, continuing the Academy’s tradition of developing top-tier talent.
Efetobo “Efe” Aror, a 2023 graduate, was selected 12th overall in the first round by the Colorado Rapids, while Nick Fernandez, from the Class of 2020, was picked 32nd overall by the San Jose Earthquakes. Aror spent three seasons at Barca Residency Academy (2020–23), developing his skills on the field, while Fernandez honed his craft during his two seasons at the Academy from 2018–20. Both players continued their journeys and were drafted out of the University of Portland, where they played pivotal roles in the Pilots’ success over the past few seasons.
This season, the duo led the Pilots to an impressive 7-4-7 overall record, an undefeated 4-0-4 run in West Coast Conference (WCC) play, and a 10-game unbeaten streak—the longest on the West Coast and the third longest in the nation. The Pilots also claimed four wins over teams ranked in the top 35 in RPI this season.
Just a sophomore, Aror played in 10 games this year with six starts, playing a crucial role in the midfield. He scored the game-winning goal against Oregon State in the final game of the season, helping preserve a 10-game unbeaten streak to end the year and keep Portland undefeated in WCC play for the first time since 1989. Last season, Aror was named the WCC Freshman of the Year and made the All-WCC Freshman Team after playing 17 games with 12 starts, adding three assists.
Fernandez leaves an impressive legacy at Portland, compiling eight goals and 19 assists in 60 matches (52 starts) for Portland in three season. The box-to-box threat scored four goals and added four assists this past season, with his four goals being a career-high.
Fernandez as accumulated numerous accolades since 2021. He is the first Pilot since 2018 to make the All-WCC First Team three times and the first Pilot since 2019 to have earned All-West Region honors three times. He was an All-WCC First Team selection this past season and an All-West Region Second Team selection as well. Last season, he became the first Pilot to win the WCC Midfielder of the Year award and was a United Soccer Coaches All-American, making the third team.
Barca Residency Academy congratulates Aror and Fernandez on their outstanding achievements and looks forward to watching their continued success at the professional level.