The twentieth MLS SuperDraft will take place in Chicago, Illinois on Friday, January 11, 2019. College Soccer News' updated projections are provided below.
1. FC Cincy – Frankie Amaya** (UCLA) – Cincy picks Amaya, a U.S youth international, who despite not playing in the combine, remains one of the players with the highest upside in this draft class.
2. San Jose – Tajon Buchanan** (Syracuse) – If San Jose keeps their pick, Buchanan, a pacey winger and GA player is the best available.
3. Orlando City – Andre Shinyashiki (Denver) – Orlando City could go many directions with this pick, but they go with Shinyashiki, a natural goalscorer and creator, who could be productive, if used correctly.
4. FC Dallas – Callum Montgomery (Charlotte) – Dallas goes with the most MLS ready defender in the draft, Mongomery, a steady CB, who showed MLS scouts his 1 v 1 defending and ability to play out of the back.
5. Chicago Fire – John Nelson** (UNC) – With the retirement of Brandon Vincent, Chicago pick the best LB available and member of the GA class, John Nelson.
6. Toronto FC – Dayne St. Clair** (Maryland) – Toronto goes with Canadian GK they’re familiar with, St. Clair, who’s the GK with the brightest future.
7. Minnesota – Siad Haji** (VCU) – Once considered a potential number one pick, Haji, falls to Minnesota, a team that will be glad to get the U.S. YNT playmaker.
8. Houston – JJ Williams** (Kentucky) – Houston goes with the strong forward, J.J Williams, who despite having an average combine, showed enough this year at Kentucky to earn a top 10 selection.
9. New England – Griffin Dorsey** (Indiana) – With the ninth pick, Friedel selects a U.S. youth international he’s familiar with in Dorsey, capable of playing centrally or on the wing.
10. FC Dallas – Santiago Patino (FIU) – Dallas select Patino, a strong and creative forward, who showed well at the MLS Combine.
11. New England – Tommy McCabe (Notre Dame) – New England nab McCabe a former U.S residency midfielder, who’s fluid in possession and could be a good fit, if used correctly.
12. LA Galaxy – Camden Riley (Pacific) – Galaxy go with a local product they’re familiar with in Riley, a technical midfielder.
13. Philadelphia Union – Logan Gdula (Wake Forest) – The Union choose athletic right back Gdula, who may end up being the top outside back in this draft class.
14. DC United – Andrew Samuels (Maryland) – DC United go with Samuels, a versatile player, capable of playing right back or as a defensive midfielder.
15. Colorado – DeJuan Jones (Michigan State) – The Rapids pick Jones, a pacey athlete, who will likely be used as a winger or outside back.
16. FC Cincy – Akeem Ward (Creighton) – FC Cincy pick Ward, a smart outside back, who should add depth for the expansion side.
17. Real Salt Lake – Sergio Rivas (Seattle) – RSL go with creative midfielder Rivas, who RSL will be glad drops to them this late in the first round.
18. Columbus – Brad Dunwell (Wake Forest) – Columbus pick Dunwell, a midfielder who’s simple in possession and was once thought of as a consensus top ten pick.
19. NYCFC – Rashid Nuhu (Fordham) – NYCFC select the best GK available with the athletic Rashid Nuhu out of Fordham.
20. Seattle Sounders – Tucker Bone (Air Force) – The Sounders take a waiver on Tucker Bone, who impressed with his vision and passing ability at the combine.
21. Sporting KC – Amir Bashti (Stanford) – Sporting KC pick one of the top wingers in the draft with Bashti, a former San Jose Earthquakes product.
22. New York Red Bulls – Prosper Figbe (Virginia) – The Red Bulls pick Figbe, a strong CB, who could develop into an MLS player if he improves his passing.
23. Portland Timbers – Abdi Mohamed (Akron) – Portland pick Mohamed, a smart midfielder, converted to right back.
24. Atlanta Utd – Anderson Asiedu (UCLA) – Atlanta pick Asiedu, a ball-winning defensive midfielder, who improved his stock with a great combine performance.
**Generation Adidas signings
