Nashville SC picks Tanner Dieterich, son of Father Ryan soccer coach, in MLS SuperDraft

Nashville native Tanner Dieterich sent out a short text message to family members Thursday afternoon.

It simply read: "I'm coming home."

Dieterich, the son of Father Ryan soccer coach Robin Dieterich, was selected by Nashville SC in the second round of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. He was the 28th overall pick.

"It means a lot for me to be able to come home and play in my backyard," said Dieterich, who was a midfielder at Clemson and graduated in December. "All the messages from family and friends I received today and to be here in Nashville.

"Getting drafted is no short feat, but getting picked by your hometown club is even better. It says a lot for Nashville. They are willing to invest in players here. It says a lot that they drafted me and prioritized me. It should say a lot for the kids coming up in local clubs."

Dieterich was at his parents' home in Nashville when he found out he was picked.

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He played his freshman year of high school at Father Ryan with his dad as coach before going to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he was part of the USMNT U-17 Residency Program.

This will mark the first time since his freshman year of high school that the Dieterich family can watch him play in a regular basis.

"His freshman year he played at Father Ryan," Robin Dieterich said. "That was the last year we won a state championship with the boys. When he was down there, it's not easy to get off work and drive down and see him play.

"Then, he went to Clemson. It's a little closer than Bradenton, Florida. But it's not the easiest thing to get off work and go see him play."