Chicago (January 11, 2019)- FC Cincinnati made their first pick in the MLS Super Draft, marking their first draft selection in their franchise history. They selected USYNT U-20 Midfielder from UCLA, Frankie Amaya. This will be a running thread of who is selected by which club through the first round of the 2019 draft.
2019 MLS SuperDraft
1. FC Cincinnati – MF, Frankie Amaya, UCLA
Amaya was the number 1 overall pick. Amaya bagged two goals and two assists in his freshman year at UCLA. He has also scored for the US U-20 men’s national team
2. San Jose Earthquakes – MF, Siad Haji, VCU
Haji is a legitimate number 10 prospect. Only 19 years old, and he has an incredibly amount of talent, Haji puts a nice number 10 prospect into the Quakes system. He won’t quite be ready to produce for the first team yet, but the talent is clearly there. In two seasons he had 7 goals and 18 assists, and has also featured for the US YNT.
3. Orlando City SC – F, Santiago Patino, FIU
Patino spent some time in the Orlando City Academy, but not enough time to be signed to a homegrown deal. He was a last minute Generation Adidas signing, and Orlando City were able to scoop him up. 37 goals in five seasons, and it’s not a bad pick.
4. FC Dallas – D, Callum Montgomery, UNC Charlotte
Montgomery filled an area of developmental need for FC Dallas. Outside of Chris Richards, they didn’t have much in the way of center backs within the pipeline. Montgomery will fix that.
5. Colorado Rapids (VIA Chicago) – F, Andre Shinyashiki, Denver
The Colorado Rapids moved up to take the leading goalscorer in the 2018 NCAA season, and someone who they’ve watched grow up in their own backyard. Shinyashiki scores goals, plain and simple, and the Rapids need it.
6. Toronto FC – MF, Giffin Dorsey, Indiana University
Dorsey has scored 8 goals and made 11 assists. He can play as a winger or fullback, and many feel the wing-back setup that Toronto FC play, will fill into Dorsey’s ability to create out wide.
7. Minnesota United FC – GK, Dayne St. Clair, Maryland
Dayne St. Clair is the modern sweeper keeper, and Minnesota United went with the best player available. He’s good, and there is a solid chance we see more of him in the future.
8. Houston Dynamo – LB, Sam Junqua, California
In a confusing pick with better players available, and players who certainly are cheaper, the Dynamo picked someone that was one of the last players drafted. There wasn’t much that stood out about him at CAL, and to go this high was really confusing.
9. New England Revolution – MF, Tajon Buchanan, Syracuse
Buchanan blossomed his second season, but he needs to score more goals. Speedy depth however,
10. FC Dallas – LB, John Nelson, UNC
John Nelson was another Generation Adidas pick and will do well for them. He’s a left-back and will have a chance to learn from a bench role before you throw him into the regular lineup. But a solid pick from FC Dallas
11. New England Revolution – MF, DeJuan Jones, Michigan State
DeJuan Jones is another speedy winger pick with a good goalscoring history. He helped take Michigan State to the M
12. New York City FC – GK, Luis Barraza, Marquette
A solid shot-stopper, and a future starting goalkeeper in the league. He’s good with his feet and fits the modern ‘keeper mold really well.
13. FC Cincinnati – RB, Logan Gdula, Wake Forest
Cincinnati got one of the lowest floors in the draft. Gdula is a solid attacking right back. The biggest question will be his defensive ability against top notch attackers. But he’s a decent depth piece.
14. D.C. United – RB, Akeem Ward, Creighton
DC have a massive hole at right back, and Akeem Ward is a solid right back. They still need another player there, but Akeem Ward can get them through at least the summer. A creative attacking right back.
15. Minnesota United (via Chicago) – D, Chase Gasper, Maryland
Another solid defender taken. Minnesota need help on the backline. The question is whether or not he’ll actually be able to be solid for them.
16. RBNY (via FC Cincinnati) – D, Roy Boateng, UC-Davis
A very strong central defender, who needs some fine tuning. You’ll see him more for RBNY 2, but has a solid future if he puts in the work.
17. Real Salt Lake – MF, Sam Brown, Harvard
RSL went the USL route, as Sam Brown will likely sign for the Monarchs. A nice pick, and a quality midfielder. But they still need a center forward. A pick they could’ve made later on though.
18. Columbus Crew SC – ST, JJ Williams, Kentucky
The last of the Generation Adidas folks, and a pure goalscoring striker. He goes to what is likely one of the best places for him. Porter has a penchant for bringing through young talent, and Williams can score while being physical and fast. Good pick from Columbus.
19. LA Galaxy (via NYCFC) – MF, Emil Cuello, SMU
Cuello has a really nice shot, a good goalscoring number 10. We’ll see if they actually use him, but a good pickup for the Galaxy, as he’s an underrated player in this crop.
20. Seattle Sounders – MF, Tucker Bone, Air Force
An interesting pick here as the Air Force does not usually let players pursue professional sporting opportunities unless they’ve served their initial tour of duty. It’s hard to envision him ever playing for the Sounders.
21. Sporting KC – CB, Kamar Marriott, FGCU
Marriott will be on loan to Swope Park for most of the season. A 6’4″ physical center back who has a solid opportunity.
22. RBNY – F, Janos Loebe, Fordham
26 goals and 31 assists in four years at Fordham. A solid winger and attacking wide player. A good pick, underrated, and will get into the system as an RBNY 2.
23. Portland Timbers – F, Ryan Sierakowski, Michigan State
Sierakowski scored a ton of goals for Michigan State this season. He’s adept at getting in the right places to finish off chances, and has that “lurking” forwards intuition.
