By RGVFútbol/Staff

McALLEN, 17 Jan. - It took a little longer than expected, but it eventually happened.

Valley midfielder and Generation Adidas signee Mikey López was selected by Sporting Kansas City as the 14th overall pick of the first round of the MLS SuperDraft Thursday at Indianapolis.

A member of the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team, López joins fellow Valley native Víctor Garza in the professional soccer ranks. Garza plays for Mexican First Division Tigres.

López, one of the nation’s top soccer talents, was speculated to go as high as the No. 2 pick by Chivas USA or Toronto FC, and was the last Generation Adidas to be selected.

The holding midfielder from Mission signed with Generation Adidas a few weeks ago after completing his second season with NCAA Division I soccer powerhouse University of North Carolina last fall.

López was the Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and won the NCAA DI championship in 2011. Last season, he helped UNC advance to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

MLS SuperDraft Top 14 Picks:

No. 1, defender Andrew Farrell, New England
No. 2, midfielder Carlos Alvarez, Chivas USA
No. 3, midfielder Kyle Bekker, Toronto FC
No. 4, forward Kekuta Manneh, Vancouver FC
No. 5, forward Erik Hurtado, Vancouver FC
No. 6, forward Deshorn Brown, Colorado
No. 7, defender Walker Zimmerman, FC Dallas
No. 8, midfielder Blake Smith, Montreal
No. 9, forward Ryan Finley, Columbus
No. 10, forward Eriq Zavaleta
No. 11, midfielder Dillon Power, Colorado
No. 12, midfielder John Stertzer, Real Salt Lake
No. 13, forward Jason Johnson, Houston
No. 14, midfielder Mikey López, Sporting Kansas City