The MLS SuperDraft is here, and despite the rise of the MLS academy system, this is still one of the most important days of the MLS calendar. A total of 88 young men will be drafted by the 22 MLS franchises during the SuperDraft, including the first picks made in the history of the two newest MLS teams, Atlanta United and Minnesota United.
MLS draft 2017: Time and schedule for SuperDraft
The top college prospects in the U.S. are about to find out who they’ll be playing for in MLS.
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Those players include the likes of Jeremy Ebobisse, the striker who awed collegiate fans during his Duke career. Then there’s Jacori Hayes, a versatile midfielder from Wake Forest who can find a home in any squad with a diverse set of technical skills. There’s Boston College’s Zeiko Lewis, a quick-footed winger who probably has the best skills and instincts on the ball in the draft. UCLA’s Jackson Yueill is a creative maestro in midfield, while Cal’s Christian Thierjung can make crunching challenges with the best of them.
There’s a lot of talent available in this draft, which might actually be the best overall draft class in the last few years. It may lack some of the premier top-end talent other drafts have brought to MLS — there’s no apparent Cyle Larin in this draft — but the depth of the talent that’s there is impressive, and offers absolutely fantastic value to MLS teams looking to restructure and retool their rosters for this season and the future.
But the draft isn’t just about teams picking young players — teams have made frequent and often effective use of the picks as resources to acquire established MLS players on draft day in the last few years. Highlighting those deals was the Seattle Sounders giving up a mid-first-round pick to acquire left back Joevin Jones a year ago, who ultimately became one of the best in MLS at his position last season and played a huge role in the Sounders winning their first MLS Cup title.
Friday is going to be a busy day, with the first two rounds and 44 picks slated to be made. The remaining two rounds will be conducted via teleconference on Tuesday, Jan. 17. There’s going to be a lot of very hectic activity to keep track of, and that’s just going to make it all the more fun to watch.
Watch It: The draft won’t be shown on television, but you can watch it live on MLSSoccer.com and follow the picks on their draft tracker.
Match Date/Time: Friday, 3 p.m. ET, noon local
Venue: Los Angeles Convention Center
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