Three Clemson United Alums Make Professional Debuts

Ousmane Sylla, Pape Mar Boye, and Shawn Smart made their professional debuts in the Major League Soccer and United Soccer League this past week. Sylla is the 29th player selected during the annual MLS SuperDraft, and Boye and Smart join the list of Tigers playing in the USL.

In the MLS, Sylla (2020-’23) was drafted 55th overall to the Houston Dynamo in December of 2023 during the MLS SuperDraft. Sylla had an electric senior season, leading the Tigers to their fourth National Championship and his second in three years. He also secured his degree from Clemson, walking the stage in December 2023. Additionally, Sylla was named the 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy winner. Sylla debuted on March 13, 2024, in the Concacaf Champions Cup match as a sub. He totaled 5 minutes of playtime against Columbus Crew, where he had a 100% pass success during his time.

In the USL, Boye (2023) signed to the Phoenix Rising in December after a phenomenal freshman season with the Tigers and helping the Men’s Soccer team secure its fourth National Championship as a prominent defender on the back line. Boye debuted on March 9, 2024, with Phoenix as a starter and played a full 90 minutes. Boye tallied five clearances, one block, one tackle won, five duels won, and three aerial duels won.

Smart (2022-’23) signed with the Las Vegas Lights FC in February 2024 after a great sophomore season with the Tigers. He scored the lone goal of the semifinal match to send the team to the National Championship game. The Lights are in their sixth season after debuting in 2018. In the 72-minute period, Smart substituted in and remained in the game for the rest of the match.