Charlotte's Ian Pilcher headed west to San Diego FC

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

Former Charlotte defender Ian Pilcher, an Ardrey Kell High graduate, was drafted by San Diego FC in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. Pilcher is the fifth 49er to be taken in the first round and 17th overall.

Former Charlotte defender Ian Pilcher is headed to San Diego for his MLS debut.

Pilcher, who was selected 24th overall in the SuperDraft by San Diego FC on Friday, is the fifth 49er to be picked in the first round and 17th overall. He is the first 49er drafted in the first round since Elliott Panicco was picked 13th overall by Nashville SC in 2020.

In addition to Pannico, Pilcher joins Mac Cozier (1996), Ben Parry (1998) and Callum Montgomery (2019) as first round selections.

“We are very excited for Ian and look forward to watching his future career with pride," Charlotte coach Kevin Langan said in a statement. “San Diego is not only getting a great player but also an incredible young man.”

In four years at Charlotte, Pilcher, an Ardrey Kell High graduate, earned back-to-back American Athletic Conference titles in 2023 and 2024, along with NCAA tournament berths in 2021, 2023, and 2024. Pilcher, Charlotte’s team captain, started 60 of 66 games played with five goals. He was among 44 college players invited to the adidas MLS College Showcase in San Diego, Calif.

Pilcher is a two-time All-East Region and All-AAC pick who earned first-team honors and CSC Academic All-American. A two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Week, he anchored a back line that finished first in the nation in shutout percentage (.579) and 13th in scoring defense (.832) in 2024.

Pilcher, a Conference US all-freshman pick, was 2023 Most Outstanding Player of the AAC Championship. In 2021, Pilcher earned a spot on the All-Conference USA Freshman Team.

San Diego FC, which will begin play in 2025, is MLS’s newest expansion club.

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