The reigning MLS champions are gearing up for the 2018 season.
Toronto FC added some depth to its title-winning squad Friday by drafting defender Tim Kubel and goalkeeper Drew Shepherd in the second round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
Toronto started the day by trading down in the SuperDraft, swapping its No. 23 overall pick with Minnesota United FC for No. 28 and cash considerations. The team used that pick to select Kubel, a 24-year-old defender from the University of Louisville. Kubel, who grew up in Germany and spent time in Borussia Dortmund's academy, scored 21 goals in 82 appearances at Louisville and was named a United Soccer Coaches (USC) First Team All-American in 2017.
Welcome to Toronto
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) January 19, 2018
With the 28th overall pick, the Reds select defender Tim Kubel from the University of Louisville #TFCLive | #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/5IYmq5eLmr
With the final pick of the second round, Toronto got some insurance between the sticks by drafting Shepherd out of Western Michigan University. The 23-year-old Michigan native completed his collegiate career with a record of 30-12-10 and kept 29 clean sheets. At the end of this past season, Shepherd was named a USC Second Team All-American and Academic All-American.
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In addition to adding its two drafted players, the team also signed homegrown midfielder Liam Fraser to a first-team contract.
Fraser originally joined the Toronto FC Academy in January of 2013 and has spent most of the past three seasons playing for TFC II in the USL. The 19-year-old Toronto native scored two goals in 52 appearances for TFC II and has also served as captain during U-20 World Cup qualifying for Canada.
Absolutely buzzing to have signed with the best club in @MLS . Couldn't have done this without the support of my unbelievable family and friends. Really looking forward to taking the next steps in my career!@torontofc https://t.co/EJVsCNgIAs
— Liam Fraser (@Liam_Fraser7) January 19, 2018
All three players will report to Toronto's preseason training camp, which begins on Monday at the team's facility before they head to California for practices on the campus of UC Irvine.