CJ Fodrey shoots the ball during a Sept. 29, 2002 San Diego State men’s soccer match. He was a first round MLS selection. Photo by Derrick Tuskan/San Diego State University.
CJ Fodrey shoots the ball during a Sept. 29, 2002 San Diego State men’s soccer match. He was a first round MLS selection. Photo by Derrick Tuskan/San Diego State University.

In the 29 year history of Major League Soccer, there had never been a Coronado High School graduate selected in the superdraft. 

That is, until former Islander and San Diego State Aztec star CJ Fodrey was selected 13th overall by Austin FC last last year.

While many draftees can be found in front of cameras or the media on draft night, Fodrey was surrounded by family in Coronado just before Christmas on Dec. 21.

Fodrey cited the encouragement he receives from his family as critical to the success he has found throughout his athletic career, explaining that they made sacrifices to ensure he was able to continue to work towards his ultimate goal. 

“The support I get from my family is definitely what’s most instrumental to me and my success. They went through a lot to make sure I was able to follow my dream since a young age,” Fodrey said. 

Pac-12 Honors

After a freshman campaign at San Diego State in which he led the team in points (18) and (7) goals, Fodrey was named First Team All Pac-12, as well as Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Fodrey is the first Aztec to take home this honor since 2006.

According to SDSU men’s soccer head coach Ryan Hopkins, CJ’s physical maturity paired with his intensity on the field greatly benefited the Aztecs in 2022. 

“CJ possesses a unique blend of pace and power while still being able to manipulate the ball skillfully,” he said. “ He was mature beyond his years physically and that allowed him to handle the rigors of the college soccer game.” 

As a four-star recruit ranked 73rd overall in the United States, Fodrey has been on a path to the pros for several years, and Hopkins believes that Fodrey’s work ethic and competitive fire is what separates him from the rest of the collegiate soccer world. 

“Fodrey is very dedicated to improving himself on the field as well as being a very competitive individual.  I think both those traits allowed him to be a leader by example even at a young age in our team,” Hopkins said. 

Despite enjoying more athletic success at 18 than the average person experiences in their lifetime, Fodrey has yet to forget his roots. 

Austin FC took on St Louis City SC on Feb. 25 in the season opener, but lost 3-2.

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Cade Cavin is a part-time reporter for The Coronado News. He was born in Poway, CA, but has lived in Escondido, CA, Basking Ridge, NJ, Durham, England, and Santa Clarita, CA. He will primarily be covering sports across Coronado and San Diego, but occasionally may work on other beats. He is currently in his second semester of his junior year at Point Loma Nazarene University with a double major in Business Administration and Multimedia Journalism with a focus in writing. As of right now, he is planning on taking the LSAT this summer with the goal of attending law school after undergrad. A fun fact about him is that he's been to 36 states and 12 countries.

The Coronado News is a 24-hour news website and direct-mail free newspaper to all residents and businesses of Coronado as we cover city government, schools, businesses, entertainment and the Navy.