With the men’s college season wrapped up, it is time to reveal the TopDrawerSoccer postseason 100, ranking the players that had the greatest impact on the college soccer season. The list exclusively accounts for the collegiate play of each player, not their professional projection or MLS draft slot. With that said, Sam Bassett of Denver leads the way.
1. Sam Bassett, Denver(m) – A do-it-all midfielder for Denver, Bassett was the spark that pushed the Pioneers to their second College Cup appearance with nine goals and 13 assists to lead the team with 31 points. Even more telling is how well the Colorado native performed in the biggest games. He scored in the Summit League tournament final and the national semi-final loss to eventual champions Vermont.
2. Michael Adedokun, Ohio State(m) – In a similar season to Bassett, the Big Ten midfielder of the year was the engine for a record-breaking Ohio State team. His 11 goals and 11 assists made him the only player in the country to reach the double digits in both categories, providing all the clutch moments needed for a College Cup appearance.
3. Emil Jaaskelainen, Akron(m) – With 23 goals to lead the country in goals, Jaaskelainen was an attacking sensation showcasing all the finishing acumen of an elite striker. Were the Zips able to advance past the second round, the number one spot would have been his, but even then, the British forward still helped the team to a Big East regular season trophy.
4. Alec Hughes, Massachusetts(m) – Carrying the momentum earned from winning the USL 2 Golden Boot in the summer, Hughes bagged 16 goals to lead the Minutemen to an unlikely Elite Eight run. The season also saw him win the A10 Offensive POTY for the third consecutive season, cementing his legacy as one of the best collegiate strikers of the 21st century.
5. Alex Harris, Cornell(m) – The 2023 TDS Freshman of the Year showed it was not a fluke, averaging a goal a game in his 19 appearances, with Jaaskelainen standing as the only player to score more than the Washington native. And with five assists for the second most points in the country, Harris would have locked down the top spot if not for a second-round exit.
Check out the rest of the top 100 here.
