2024 MLS SuperDraft: Eligible Players

Get ready for the 2024 MLS SuperDraft—it’s just around the corner.

This year marks the 25th edition of the event, and it’s all set to happen on December 19, 2023.

What’s different this time?

Well, the player pool is getting a boost, making room for younger college players to jump into the draft action.

MLS spilled the beans on this expansion, aiming to give talented young players a shot at joining their favorite MLS clubs.

It’s like a golden opportunity knocking for the rising stars.

The draft itself is a three-round affair, and Toronto FC is taking the spotlight with the top pick for the second time in club history.

Just like any pro sports draft, the MLS SuperDraft is a big deal for teams. It’s the kind of moment that can shape a player’s destiny, determining whether they make it to the professional level or not.

No doubt, the 2024 MLS SuperDraft is shaping up to be an absolute thrill.

Fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly waiting to see the fresh talents that their teams will pick to join the squad. Excitement is in the air, and this draft promises to be one for the books

MLS SuperDraft Format

Historically, the MLS SuperDraft has closely resembled that of the NFL Draft:

1. Any expansion teams receive the first picks. This season, no new expansion teams will be entering MLS.
2. Non-playoff clubs receive the next picks in reverse order of the prior season’s finish.
3. Teams that made the MLS Cup Playoffs are then ordered by which round of the playoffs they are eliminated.
4. The winners of the MLS Cup are given the last selection, and the losers the penultimate selection.

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2024 MLS SuperDraft Eligibility

Exciting news for aspiring soccer stars.

The 2024 MLS SuperDraft just got a major upgrade with expanded eligibility criteria and a bigger player pool.

According to the new rules, a player drafted by an MLS club who still has college eligibility left can decide to go back to school to continue their development.

However, there’s a catch – they won’t be able to enter future drafts.

If a selected player opts to return to college, the club that drafted them will maintain their SuperDraft Priority for about two years after the SuperDraft, until December 31 of the second year.

MLSSOCCER

The changes are still being discussed, but here’s what we know so far.

The proposed changes would let any college player in their sophomore year or higher join the SuperDraft. However, players on a team’s homegrown list are still not eligible.

In the past, players didn’t have to officially enter the SuperDraft. The league selected mainly college seniors.

Underclassmen could join through the Generation Adidas program if an MLS team committed to selecting them before the draft.

Now, any college player, including freshmen, can earn the GA distinction if a team commits to drafting them. The key difference is the guaranteed contract before the draft.

There are rules for underclassmen giving up college eligibility.

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A player can’t be drafted twice, and the team selecting them holds priority rights until December 31 of the second season after the draft. After that, it depends on if the team offers an MLS contract.

If a drafted player rejects an MLS contract, the team keeps the right to refuse another team signing them for three years.

If the player’s rights expire, an interested team must place a discovery claim before adding them to their roster.

An MLS Next Pro contract offer doesn’t affect player rights. Only an MLS contract allows a team to keep the right of first refusal.

If an underclassman goes undrafted, they can return to school and try again in a later year. Players on a team’s homegrown list can’t enter the SuperDraft as long as they’re on the list.

In short, it’s unlikely players will enter the draft unless they’re open to an MLS Next Pro contract. Last year, only 17 players signed full MLS deals before the season, and the new changes aim to improve this.

These changes could make the SuperDraft more meaningful, and players may find the college route more attractive with the chance to go pro after two seasons, regardless of the GA process.

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2024 MLS Draft Teams

As of the time of writing this, here is the team order.

• Atlanta United FC
• Austin FC
• CF Montreal
• Charlotte FC
• Chicago Fire FC
• Colorado Rapids
• DC United
• FC Dallas
• Inter Miami CF
• LA Galaxy
• Minnesota United FC
• Nashville SC
• New England Revolution
• New York City FC
• New York Red Bulls
• Orlando City SC
• Philadelphia Union
• Portland Timbers
• Real Salt Lake
• San Jose Earthquakes
• Seattle Sounders FC
• Sporting Kansas City
• St. Louis City SC
• Toronto FC
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC

SuperDraft Tracker

MLS has announced the list of nearly 400 players who are eligible for selection in the MLS SuperDraft 2024 presented by Adidas on Tuesday, December 19 (3 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).

The full list is subject to change.

1. Toronto FC

Kimani Stewart-Baynes (Winger, Maryland – GA)

A talented Canadian with upside? Toronto FC, assuming they keep the pick, shouldn’t think too long about this one.

2. Colorado Rapids

Stephen Annor Gyamfi (Forward, Virginia – GA)

Another member of the Generation Adidas class, Annor’s upside could be slightly higher than Stewart-Baynes. He was sometimes dominant as a freshman, and while he will still need to develop, he profiles as an impact player in MLS.

3. Inter Miami CF

Logan Farrington (Forward, Oregon State)

Seen as another top prospect, Farrington would be an enticing addition for Inter Miami as a depth option.

4. Colorado Rapids

Femi Awodesu (Center back, Penn State)

With four first-round picks, the Rapids are a real wild card and could shop picks. There’s a chance to grab one player from each position here, and Awodesu is among the most talented center-backs available.

5. Austin FC

Jacob Murrell (Forward, Georgetown)

Murrell is among the top prospects available. Only a sophomore, he’ll still need to develop, but could be a big hit leading the line for Austin. There’s a chance he could return to school for his junior year.

6. Chicago Fire FC

Jason Shokalook (Forward, Akron)

The Big East Offensive Player of the Year led the line for the Zips and can score in a variety of ways. He’d offer an intriguing profile for the Fire in the attacking third.

7. D.C. United

Nate Jones (Center back, Washington)

Jones is a left-footed defender who can physically compete right away, coming from a Washington program that produces quality professional center-backs.

8. New York City FC

Ousmane Sylla (Center midfielder, Clemson)

The Clemson stalwart is a likely top-10 pick after wrapping up his senior season with a second national championship in three seasons. Sylla will need to carve out a clear position and show he can influence the game on both sides of the ball.

9. Minnesota United FC

Tyrese Spicer (Forward, Lipscomb)

Another attacker who had a breakout season in 2023, Spicer finished with 14 goals in 16 games. If he can adjust and stay healthy, there’s every reason to believe he can add an option to Minnesota in the final third.

10. CF Montréal

Hugo Bacharach (Center back, Indiana)

One of the international X-factors, Bacharach is a quality center-back who can play as a defensive midfielder. CF Montréal might eagerly shop this pick.

11. Portland Timbers

Kevin Bonilla (Right back, Portland)

Portland’s notes on Bonilla should be extensive, considering he excelled the past few seasons for the nearby Pilots. The right-back was the WCC Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring the program’s success over the past two years.

12. Colorado Rapids

Bryan Dowd (Goalkeeper, Notre Dame)

With only one goalkeeper on the Rapids’ roster, adding Dowd here would bolster the ranks. While Colorado’s academy has a couple of prospects looking to break through, the Notre Dame standout is the best option available in his spot.

13. San Jose Earthquakes

Jamar Ricketts (Left back, Cal State Northridge)

A dynamic and talented outside back, Ricketts should be able to keep up with the pace of MLS right away. Teams looking for options at left-back would do well to consider the Big West prospect.

14. New York Red Bulls

Alec Hughes (Forward, Massachusetts)

A 6-foot-4 forward, Hughes has the athleticism that could have him in the mix for a Duncan McGuire-esque season. With his profile, there’s an opportunity to impact the Red Bulls early.

15. FC Dallas

Bryce Boneau (Center midfielder, Notre Dame)

Gritty and tough, Boneau is a box-to-box midfielder who adds to both sides of the ball. He’s a North Texas native whom the club should have a solid level of familiarity with and had an excellent fall season for the Irish.

16. Real Salt Lake

Matthew Bell (Winger, Marshall)

RSL have made a point to supplement their first-team roster via the draft. Bell dropping here could be something of a coup, as the attacker’s reputation is certainly substantial.

17. Nashville SC

Hosei Kijima (Center midfielder, Wake Forest)

A deep-lying midfielder who has the kind of bite, physicality, and quality to land on an MLS roster, Kijima’s status as an international is something to watch here. But Nashville could use the reinforcements centrally, and Kijima brings that kind of upside.

18. Real Salt Lake

Marcus Caldeira (Forward, West Virginia)

With two picks in the teens and not a lot of room, RSL could go in a draft-and-stash direction. Caldeira is a 6-foot-2 forward who led West Virginia to the College Cup.

19. Atlanta United

Patrick McDonald (Center midfielder, Indiana)

Talented and versatile, McDonald will have the option to return for his senior season, as he’s only a junior. He played primarily as a central midfielder, but profiles as a Cristian Roldan-type where he could potentially fill several positions.

20 New England Revolution

Joel Sangwa (Center back/right back, Akron)

A junior college transfer, Sangwa’s been solid and steady for Akron for the past two seasons. He’s a slightly undersized center-back who projects as a potential right-back.

21. Colorado Rapids

Jefferson Amaya (Defensive midfielder, High Point)

Colorado is another team that could use a first-round pick to stash a player in college. Regardless, Amaya is a high-quality central midfielder who could continue to develop into a top prospect.

22. Sporting Kansas City

Joey Maher (Center back, Indiana)

Similar to Washington, Indiana’s history of developing defenders for MLS is noteworthy. The younger brother of Nashville’s Jack Maher, Joey is the second of his siblings looking to land in the league.

23. Seattle Sounders FC

Josh Jones (Center back, Louisville)

In a draft deep with central defenders, Seattle could go several ways to seek depth at that position. Jones is a 6-foot-5 center-back who is very talented but will need to show he can adjust and handle the pace and speed of the game.

24. Inter Miami CF

Wyatt Meyer (Center back, California)

See the above note on central defenders. Meyer would be the seventh player from that spot to be drafted in the first round. He’s one of the left-footed domestic players teams will target on Tuesday.

25. Orlando City SC

Tucker Lepley (Center midfielder, UCLA)

A central midfielder who oozes ability on the ball, Lepley will need to show he can facilitate and create against bigger, stronger, and faster opponents. He had a great fall season at UCLA and will look to hit the ground running wherever he lands.

26. Houston Dynamo FC

Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (Center midfielder, Washington)

While Kossa-Rienzi didn’t have quite the same performance as he did in 2022, he was part of Washington’s remarkable success the two seasons prior. He’s a tough, physical player who can look to compete for minutes as defensive midfield depth on a Houston team without many holes.

27. FC Cincinnati

Malik Henry (Right back, Akron)

The dynamic and explosive right-back is something of a sleeper heading into the draft. He’s a player FC Cincinnati could take a flier on, with the hopes he can add to the backline.

28. Los Angeles Football Club

Bailey Sparks (Center midfielder, SMU)

A sensational junior season elevated Sparks’ profile, as he nabbed American Athletic Conference Midfielder of the Year honors. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s a talented, industrious player who could boost LAFC’s depth in midfield.

29. Columbus Crew

Grayson Doody (Right back, UCLA)

There aren’t glaring holds on the Crew’s roster. Doody brings the kind of profile that could earn him a spot on Columbus’ roster and provide depth at right back, which is an excellent outcome at this point in the draft.

2023 Adidas MLS College Invitees

Name	Position	College	Year
Robert Alphin	GK	Wake Forest	Junior
Jefferson Amaya	MF	High Point	Sophomore
Stephen Annor Gyamfi	FW	University of Virginia	Freshman
Femi Awodesu	DEF	Penn State	Senior
Jacob Babalai	FW	University of Portland	Senior
Hugo Bacharach	MF	Indiana	Senior
Damien Barker John	FW	University of Louisville	Sophomore
Matthew Bell	FW	Marshall	Sophomore
Kevin Bonilla	DEF	University of Portland	Senior
Yannick Bright	MF	University of New Hampshire	Senior
Taylor Calheira	FW	UMBC	Senior
Ryan Carmichael	FW	Hofstra	Senior
Amir Daley	DEF	Duke	Senior
Morris Duggan	DEF	Marshall	Senior
Jahlane Forbes	DEF	Wake Forest	Senior
Eliot Goldthorp	FW	Hofstra	Junior
Jayden Hibbert	GK	Connecticut	Sophomore
Alec Hughes	FW	Massachusetts	Senior
Emil Jääskeläinen	FW	LIU	Senior
Nate Jones	DEF	University of Washington	Junior
Josh Jones	DEF	University of Louisville	Junior
Hosei Kijima	MF	Wake Forest	Senior
Jeorgio Kocevski	MF	Syracuse	Senior
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi	DEF	University of Washington	Senior
Giona Leibold	DEF	Syracuse	Junior
Tucker Lepley	MF	UCLA	Senior
Joseph Maher	DEF	Indiana	Senior
Peter Mangione	MF	Penn State	Senior
Ruben Mesalles	DEF	Duke	Junior
Wyatt Meyer	DEF	California	Senior
Filip Mirkovic	MF	University of Pittsburgh	Senior
Casper Mols	GK	University of Kentucky	Sophomore
Jacob Murrell	FW	Georgetown	Sophomore
Taimu Okiyoshi	MF	Marshall	Senior
Roberto Ordonez	MF	California State Fullerton(m)	Senior
Jamar Ricketts	DEF	CSUN	Senior
Sander Roed	MF	University of Louisville	Junior
Joel Sangwa	DEF	University of Akron	Senior
Ryan Schewe	GK	Georgetown	Senior
Jason Shokalook	FW	University of Akron	Senior
Kimani Stewart-Baynes	FW	University of Maryland	Freshman
Mouhameth Thiam	FW	University of Virginia	Senior
Justin Weiss	FW	Northwestern	Senior
Mads Westergren	DEF	SMU(m)

How Do I Declare For MLS SuperDraft?

To enter the MLS SuperDraft, if you’re a college player, let your college know you want to join.

Check if you meet eligibility rules, usually for college seniors or Generation Adidas players. You can hire an agent if you want help. Officially declare your plan to enter the draft and, if invited, attend the MLS Combine to show your skills.

Register for the SuperDraft, be ready on draft day, and negotiate your contract if a team picks you.

Stay updated with official info from the MLS or your college. Remember, rules might change, so always check for the latest details.

Prominent MLS SuperDraft alumni

In recent years, top college soccer players who are still in MLS include:

• Orlando City SC striker Duncan McGuire (2023; No. 6 overall)
• FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano (2022; No. 2 overall)
• Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (2022; No. 12 overall)
• Austin FC midfielder Daniel Pereira (2021; No. 1 overall)
• Nashville SC defender Jack Maher (2020; No. 2 overall)

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FAQs

When is the 2024 MLS SuperDraft?

Tue, 19 Dec 2023

The 2024 MLS SuperDraft will be live on Twitch on December 19, 2023, at 3 p.m. ET and will consist of three rounds

How many players get drafted in the MLS SuperDraft?

In the last three years, around 76 players, on average, got picked in the SuperDraft.

Out of those, about 26 players, on average, signed contracts with MLS teams. So, roughly 1/3 or about 34% of the players chosen in the SuperDraft end up signing MLS contracts.

How many rounds are in the SuperDraft?

3 rounds

There are three rounds in the SuperDraft, with each team allowed one pick per round.

How hard is it to get into the MLS?

Getting invited to MLS tryouts can be challenging, especially if you aren’t drafted directly from college through the MLS SuperDraft or the MLS Supplemental Draft.

The chances of securing a tryout with an MLS team become quite limited if you haven’t been invited to the MLS Combine.

The Combine serves as a key platform for players to showcase their skills, making it a crucial step in gaining consideration for an MLS tryout.