PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers selected defender Anthony Manning from Saint Louis University and midfielder Seth Casiple from the University of California during the final two rounds of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, held today via conference call.
Portland selected Manning (No. 52 overall) with the 10th pick in the third round, while Casiple was selected with the final pick of the draft (84th overall), a pick acquired in a 2012 trade with Montreal.
Manning, 22, was a two-time Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring a Billikens defense that led the league with 11 shutouts in 2014. As a senior, Manning appeared in 21 matches, recording five goals and two assists, helping lead Saint Louis to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. A 2015 MLS Combine invitee, Manning played in 74 career matches in four seasons (2011-2014) with the Billikens, earning NSCAA all-region honors three times and first-team all-conference recognition in his final two seasons.
Casiple, 21, a 2015 MLS Combine invitee, was a four-year starter at the University of California, appearing in 75 matches (74 starts), recording six goals and 27 assists from 2011-2014. A co-captain and first-team All-Pac-12 selection as a senior, Casiple played in all 19 matches (all starts), finishing the season with one goal and seven assists. Casiple led the Golden Bears in assists in each of his four seasons and also garnered Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors during his career.
Anthony Manning
Position: Defender
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
Born: Sept. 4, 1992
Hometown: Mesquite, Texas
College: Saint Louis University
Seth Casiple
Pronunciation: kuh-SI-plee
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 155
Born: Aug. 23, 1993
Hometown: Rocklin, Calif.
College: University of California
