2018 MLS SuperDraft
International players highlight 2018 MLS SuperDraft
MLS Clubs continue to build rosters with a more foreign feel and that approach was highlighted in Friday's SuperDraft where seven foreign players were taken in the first round including Portuguese fullback Joao Mountinho who went first overall.
Young players from overseas have long used NCAA Soccer to prolong and relaunch their careers in the US. Last season, internationals like Abu Danladi (Minnesota United) and Julian Gressel (Atlanta United FC) came through the MLS SuperDraft to find success and make a difference with their respective clubs.
On Friday in Philadelphia, the 23 MLS clubs selected seven international players over the first fourteen picks in this year’s draft, then six more in the second round as teams hoped to find impact players from the collegiate ranks.
LAFC selected Portuguese defender Joao Mountinho out of Akron with the first overall pick, then sent $200,000 to DC United for the third selection, where the expansion side took defender Tristan Blackmon from the University of the Pacific.
All in all, players from Ghana (FCD’s MF Francis Atauhene from Michigan and FW Ema Twumasi of Wake Forest), Spain (Chicago’s FW Jon Bakero, also of the Demon Deacons and son of former Barcelona and Spanish international José Mari Bakero), England (The Fire’s MF Mo Adams from Syracuse), France (San Jose’s DF Paul Marie from Florida International) and Ireland (Atlanta’s F Jon Gallagher from Notre Dame) were selected in the first round.
Two internationals were also selected over the first five picks in the second round: Spanish Midfielder Pol Calvet Panellas of the University of Pittsburgh went to LAFC, and champions Toronto picked German midfielder/defender Tim Kubel out of Louisville.
Other foreign born second-round selections included a pair of picks from Atlanta: English Midfielder Oliver Shannon out of Clemson, and German forward Gordon Wild from Maryland. Chicago picked up Costa Rican Clemson Tiger Diego Campos, a defender/midfielder. Seattle grabbed Norweigian 6’5” defender Markus Fjortoft from Duke.
As MLS clubs continue to build and draw from their own homegrown players in order to stock their rosters, the long term benefit of the MLS SuperDraft would appear to be in question. However, for a passel of internationals, the draft may be the perfect ticket to stardom in North America.
On Friday in Philadelphia, the 23 MLS clubs selected seven international players over the first fourteen picks in this year’s draft, then six more in the second round as teams hoped to find impact players from the collegiate ranks.
LAFC selected Portuguese defender Joao Mountinho out of Akron with the first overall pick, then sent $200,000 to DC United for the third selection, where the expansion side took defender Tristan Blackmon from the University of the Pacific.
All in all, players from Ghana (FCD’s MF Francis Atauhene from Michigan and FW Ema Twumasi of Wake Forest), Spain (Chicago’s FW Jon Bakero, also of the Demon Deacons and son of former Barcelona and Spanish international José Mari Bakero), England (The Fire’s MF Mo Adams from Syracuse), France (San Jose’s DF Paul Marie from Florida International) and Ireland (Atlanta’s F Jon Gallagher from Notre Dame) were selected in the first round.
Two internationals were also selected over the first five picks in the second round: Spanish Midfielder Pol Calvet Panellas of the University of Pittsburgh went to LAFC, and champions Toronto picked German midfielder/defender Tim Kubel out of Louisville.
Other foreign born second-round selections included a pair of picks from Atlanta: English Midfielder Oliver Shannon out of Clemson, and German forward Gordon Wild from Maryland. Chicago picked up Costa Rican Clemson Tiger Diego Campos, a defender/midfielder. Seattle grabbed Norweigian 6’5” defender Markus Fjortoft from Duke.
As MLS clubs continue to build and draw from their own homegrown players in order to stock their rosters, the long term benefit of the MLS SuperDraft would appear to be in question. However, for a passel of internationals, the draft may be the perfect ticket to stardom in North America.
