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Martin Luala: From Phoenix College Standout to MLS Draft Pick

Martin Luala: From Phoenix College Standout to MLS Draft Pick
Posted: Dec 19, 2025

Martin Luala's rise through collegiate soccer has been marked by steady development, creativity in midfield, and increasing recognition — culminating in his selection in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft by San Diego FC.

Phoenix College (2023–2024)

Luala began his college career with the Phoenix College Bears, where he quickly became one of the team's most influential midfielders across two seasons.

  • Freshman Year (2023):

    • Appeared in 18 games with 17 starts.

    • Recorded 1 goal and 1 assist, totaling 2 points.

    • Took 23 shots, with 14 on target and a .609 shots-on-goal percentage.

  • Sophomore Year (2024):

    • Played in 20 games with 19 starts.

    • Tallied 2 goals and 7 assists for 11 points.

    • Delivered 38 shots with 30 shots on goal, an elite .789 SOG%.

    • Earned Second-Team All-American honors and was selected to the NJCAA Division II All-Region First Team.

During his time with the Bears, Luala helped Phoenix College to a 17-4-1 overall record and a No. 4 seed in the NJCAA National Tournament, and was one of six players from the squad to earn All-Region honors in 2024.

This performance laid the foundation for his transfer to NCAA Division I soccer.

Stepping Up at Grand Canyon University (2025)

After his junior college success, Luala signed with Grand Canyon University ahead of the 2025 season, joining the GCU Lopes as a junior midfielder.

In his first season at the Division I level:

  • Started all 22 matches for the Lopes and logged the second-most minutes on the team with 1,864.

  • Contributed 1 goal and 2 assists while showing his ability to control the midfield and create opportunities.

  • Helped GCU advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 — the deepest run in program history at the Division I level.

While his raw counting stats weren't eye-popping, his role as a central creator and consistent starter highlighted his tactical importance in a progressive GCU attack that produced 43 goals with 42 assists across the season.

MLS SuperDraft & Professional Outlook

On December 18, 2025, Luala's hard work paid off when he was selected 28th overall in the first round of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft by San Diego FC.
This made him the third Lopes player ever taken in the first round and the fifth overall GCU draftee in MLS history.

San Diego FC is a young but ambitious club that finished atop the Western Conference and reached the conference finals in MLS play — a strong environment for a promising midfielder to begin his professional journey.

Legacy & Outlook

Martin Luala's trajectory — from a standout at Phoenix College to a reliable midfield presence at GCU and now to the professional ranks — showcases effective development and adaptability across competitive levels. With his vision, passing ability, and experience in high-tempo collegiate systems, he enters the MLS ready to contribute, grow, and make an impact for San Diego FC.