AJ Cochran

Left-footed central defender from the University of Wisconsin selected by the Houston Dynamo with the 16th overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

2014 MLS: Appeared in 21 games in all competitions in rookie season, with 19 MLS appearances and two U.S. Open Cup starts ...Started eight of last nine games of season ... Made his first career MLS start at New England on 4/12 ... Made his first MLS appearance as a substitute vs. FC Dallas on 4/5 ... U.S. Open Cup: Started both games, playing all 210 minutes in 1-0 win in fourth round vs. Laredo Heat on 6/11 and 3-2 extra time loss in round of 16 vs. FC Dallas.

COLLEGE: Three seasons at Wisconsin ... 2013: Big Ten Defender of the Year … Started all 21 of the Badgers' contests and scored three goals … Helped anchor defense to seven shutouts … 2012: First Team All-Big Ten, starting 19 games (1 goal, 2 assists) … Anchored defense that posted two separate shutout streaks of more than 200 minutes … 2011: As a freshman started in 18 games and posted one goal and three assists.

INTERNATIONAL: 2014: Started for U.S. Under-23 national team in 5-1 win vs. Bahamas senior national team on 8/6 in Nassau, Bahamas ... Part of 18-man U-23 national team camp in Nassau, Bahamas from 8/4-8/7 ... Invited to camp with the United Staes U-20 national team in January 2012 … Traveled with the United States U-18 national team to Argentina and Chile in 2011.

CLUB: Played PDL in 2013, splitting time between Michigan Bucks and K-W United (Kitchener, ON, Canada) ... Played for St. Louis Scott Gallagher … Was named to U.S. Soccer Development Academy select team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Mo., the same school as MLS players Brandon Barklage and Tommy Heinemann … Named 2010-11 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year … Helped lead Cadets to 3A state championship as a junior in 2009.

PERSONAL: Full name is Alec John Cochran.