The Columbus Crew opened the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by selecting forward Jayden Da with the 29th overall pick on Tuesday. The defending MLS Cup champions still had more selections to make.

The Crew’s second-round selection in the 2024 SuperDraft was Zach Zengue from the University of Georgetown. Zengue, a midfielder, is a product of Shattuck St. Mary’s Academy in Minnesota. Zengue just finished his sophomore season with the Hoyas, playing and starting all 19 of the Hoyas matches this fall. He contributed five goals and seven assists from midfield.

The SuperDraft is an opportunity for clubs to draft players from the college ranks and MLS NEXT Pro. The Black & Gold are looking for exciting young prospects to bring into the club’s environment and develop.

Columbus has a history of success moving players through the club’s MLS NEXT Pro team before bringing them into the first team. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, wing back Mohamed Farsi and midfielder Sean Zawadksi are all recent examples of young players who have progressed via this pathway.

If the name Zengue sounds familiar to fans, it’s because Zach will be joining his brother, Xavier, in the Black & Gold organization. Xavier was selected by Columbus in the first round of last year’s MLS SuperDraft and played 886 minutes through 10 matches for Crew 2 this past season.

In addition to adding another Zengue to their ranks, the Crew continues the club’s affinity for Georgetown players with this selection. The Black & Gold already have two former Hoyas on the first-team roster in Zawadski and left back Will Sands. Georgetown is one of the most successful college programs in the country and produces professionals year after year.

Zengue will likely join his brother on the Crew 2 roster and look to develop into the specific midfield role that head coaches Wilfried Nancy and Laurent Courtois employ.