The 2024 MLS SuperDraft took place on Tuesday and marked the beginning of the MLS offseason. Most teams, including the Columbus Crew, use the SuperDraft to find talented, young players to bring into the club and develop into potential first-team members in MLS, with college and MLS NEXT Pro players available to be selected.

In the third round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, the Black & Gold selected Luke Pruter, a goalkeeper from UC Irvine. Pruter, a junior, is fresh off of an NCAA tournament appearance and Big West Conference Championship with UC Irvine. This came after Columbus chose Jayden Da from Duquesne University in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, followed by Zach Zengue of Georgetown in the second.

At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Pruter is a huge presence in goal. Before joining the UC Irvine soccer program, Pruter played in the LA Galaxy Academy system and spent some time with Barcelona’s Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona. Pruter recorded 12 shutouts in 45 matches for the Anteaters over the course of his three-year career in Irvine. His ability to not only stop shots but also play with his feet, fits into the Crew’s playing style under head coach Wilfried Nancy.

Goalkeeper is a position of value in the MLS SuperDraft, and the Black & Gold have had a lot of success recently with this position. Columbus took goalkeeper Patrick Schulte 12th overall in the 2022 SuperDraft. The St. Louis native honed his craft with Crew 2 before earning the starting role and helping guide the Crew to the 2023 MLS Cup championship. The Black & Gold will hope for a similar path with Pruter as he comes into the organization.