Every prospect picked in Thursday's MLS SuperDraft hopes to make a roster as an impact player in his first season. Unfortunately for most of these players, that will not be the case.
To know this, all you have to do is look at last year's draft class. Below is every draft pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and how their rookie seasons played out.
Some were on MLS rosters the whole season, some signed with NASL or USL teams, a couple are – for now – completely out of the professional ranks.
In total, 84 players were picked, and here are some stats on what teams (and leagues) they ended up with:
- Made an MLS roster: 45
- Appeared in 1+ MLS games: 28
- Appeared in 10+ MLS games: 15
- Appeared in 20+ MLS games: 5
- Currently on an MLS roster: 35
- Played in NASL/USL while on loan from a MLS club: 32
- Signed by a NASL/USL club: 28
One season does not a career make: any number of these players could still develop into regular starters or even stars in this league. But just 19 percent of the players picked in last year's SuperDraft made 10 or more appearances in 2015.
The continued expansion of the American game will provide previously unavailable levels of opportunity, which could help them develop into MLS contributors.
But the bottom line remains:
You are unlikely to find instant impact in this year's SuperDraft.
2015 MLS SuperDraft
Round 1
# |
CLUB |
PLAYER |
NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
ORL |
<a href="/players/cyle-larin">CYLE LARIN</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>27 games, 17 goals with Orlando City</li><li>2015 MLS Rookie of the Year</li><li>11 caps, 4 goals with Canada national team</li></ul> |
2 |
NYC |
<a href="/players/khiry-shelton">KHIRY SHELTON</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>17 games, 1 goal with NYCFC</li><li>Called into USMNT January camp</li></ul> |
3 |
MTL |
<a href="/players/romario-williams">ROMARIO WILLIAMS</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>2 games with Impact</li><li>7 games with FC Montreal on loan</li></ul> |
4 |
SJ |
<a href="/players/fatai-alashe">FATAI ALASHE</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>28 games with Earthquakes</li><li>Finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting</li><li>Called into USMNT January camp</li></ul> |
5 |
POR |
<a href="/players/nick-besler">NICK BESLER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>25 games with Timbers 2 while on loan</li><li>Re-signed with Timbers for 2016</li></ul> |
6 |
TOR |
<a href="/players/alex-bono">ALEX BONO</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>12 games with TFCII while on loan</li><li>Played 62 minutes with TFC in friendly vs. Manchester City</li></ul> |
7 |
CHI |
<a href="/players/matt-polster">MATT POLSTER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>30 games, 27 starts with Fire</li><li>Finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting</li><li>Called into USMNT January camp</li></ul> |
8 |
HOU |
<a href="/players/zach-steinberger">ZACH STEINBERGER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>3 games with Dynamo</li><li>3 Open Cup appearances with Dynamo</li><li>12 games, 2 goals with Indy Eleven while on loan</li></ul> |
9 |
TOR |
<a href="/players/clement-simonin">CLEMENT SIMONIN</a><br>
<strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>2 starts for Toronto FC</li><li>3 starts for TFCII</li></ul> |
10 |
SKC |
<a href="/players/connor-hallisey">CONNOR HALLISEY</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>13 games, 6 starts with Sporting</li><li>4 appearances in Open Cup for SKC</li></ul> |
11 |
TOR |
<a href="/players/skylar-thomas">SKYLAR THOMAS</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Toronto FC II</li><li>22 games, 20 starts with TFCII</li></ul> |
12 |
SKC |
<a href="/players/saad-abdul-salaam">SAAD ABDUL-SALAAM</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>22 games, 10 starts with Sporting</li><li>5 starts in NASL with San Antonio Scorpions while on loan</li></ul> |
13 |
VAN |
<a href="/players/tim-parker">TIM PARKER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>15 games, 14 starts with Vancouver</li><li>Started both playoff games for Whitecaps</li><li>7 starts with VWFCII while on loan</li><li>Called into USMNT January camp</li></ul> |
14 |
COL |
<a href="/players/axel-sjoberg">AXEL SJOBERG</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>14 starts with Rapids</li></ul> |
15 |
DAL |
<a href="/players/otis-earle">OTIS EARLE</a> |
<ul><li>6 games, 4 starts with Arizona United in USL while on loan</li><li>1 appearance for Dallas in US Open Cup</li><li>Had option declined after season</li></ul> |
16 |
SEA |
<a href="/players/cristian-roldan">CRISTIAN ROLDAN</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>22 games, 11 starts with Sounders</li><li>Started all 4 CONCACAF Champions League matches for Seattle</li><li>Appeared in 1 game for S2 while on loan</li></ul> |
17 |
DC |
<a href="/players/miguel-aguilar">MIGUEL AGUILAR</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>17 games, 4 starts with D.C. United</li><li>Played all 4 CONCACAF Champions League matches for D.C.</li><li>2 starts for Richmond while on loan in USL</li></ul> |
18 |
NY |
<a href="/players/leo-stolz">LEO STOLZ</a> |
<ul><li>22 starts, 4 goals in USL while on loan with NYRBII</li><li>Had option declined after season</li></ul> |
19 |
CLB |
<a href="/players/sergio-campbell">SERGIO CAMPBELL</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong><br> |
<ul><li>1 start for Crew SC</li><li>2 starts in USL for Austin Aztex while on loan</li></ul> |
20 |
SKC |
<a href="/players/amadou-dia">AMADOU DIA</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>22 games, 13 starts with Sporting</li></ul> |
21 |
LA |
<a href="/players/ignacio-maganto">IGNACIO MAGANTO</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>13 games, 6 starts with Galaxy</li><li>Started all 4 CONCACAF Champions League for LA</li><li>Appeared in 5 USL games with Los Dos</li></ul> |
Round 2
# |
CLUB |
PLAYER |
NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (22) |
ORL |
<a href="/players/conor-donovan">CONOR DONOVAN</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>1 start with Orlando City</li><li>1 start in USL with Pittsburgh Riverhounds while on loan</li><li>Tore ACL in August</li></ul> |
2 (23) |
NYC |
<a href="/players/connor-brandt">CONNOR BRANDT</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>1 game with NYCFC</li><li>1 game with Wilmington Hammerheads while on loan in USL</li></ul> |
3 (24) |
POR |
<a href="/players/andy-thoma">ANDY THOMA</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Started Open Cup game with Timbers</li><li>26 games, 25 starts with T2 while on loan in USL</li></ul> |
4 (25) |
ORL |
<a href="/players/akeil-barrett">AKEIL BARRETT</a> |
<ul><li>Waived by Orlando City in February</li><li>Signed with NASL squad Jacksonville Armada in March</li><li>23 games, 3 goals with Jacksonville</li></ul> |
5 (26) |
COL |
<a href="/players/joseph-greenspan">JOSEPH GREENSPAN</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Signed with Rapids in June</li><li>3 games, 2 starts with Rapids</li><li>2 starts in US Open Cup with Rapids</li></ul> |
6 (27) |
RSL |
<a href="/players/boyd-okwuonu">BOYD OKWUONU</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>3 games, 1 start with RSL</li><li>12 starts in USL with Real Monarchs while on loan</li></ul> |
7 (28) |
CHI |
<a href="/players/kingsley-bryce">KINGSLEY BRYCE</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>10 games, 8 starts in USL with Saint Louis FC while on loan</li></ul> |
8 (29) |
TOR |
<a href="/players/wesley-charpie">WESLEY CHARPIE</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with TFCII in USL</li><li>21 games, 17 starts with TFCII</li></ul> |
9 (30) |
HOU |
<a href="/players/oumar-ballo">OUMAR BALLO</a> |
<ul><li>Waived by Dynamo in April</li><li>Went on trial with D.C. United and New York Red Bulls</li></ul> |
10 (31) |
PHI |
<a href="/players/dzenan-catic">DZENAN CATIC</a> |
<ul><li>7 games with Harrisburg City Islanders while on loan in USL</li><li>10 games with Carolina Railhawks while on loan in NASL</li><li>Had option declined after season</li></ul> |
11 (32) |
POR |
<a href="/players/christian-volesky">CHRISTIAN VOLESKY</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Rochester Rhinos in March</li><li>26 games, 8 goals for USL Champions</li></ul> |
12 (33) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/tyler-miller">TYLER MILLER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Signed with SVN Zweibucken in Germany</li><li>Made 10 appearances before returning to US to sign with Sounders 2</li><li>Signed by Sounders this offseason</li></ul> |
13 (34) |
POR |
<a href="/players/kharlton-belmar">KHARLTON BELMAR</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Timbers 2</li><li>28 games, 12 goals with T2</li><li>Made 1 appearance with NASL's New York Cosmos while on loan</li></ul> |
14 (35) |
CLB |
<a href="/players/sagi-lev-ari">SAGI LEV-ARI</a> |
<ul><li>Waived by Crew SC in March</li><li>Currently training in hopes to return to professional soccer</li></ul> |
15 (36) |
HOU |
<a href="/players/rob-lovejoy">ROB LOVEJOY</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>17 games, 1 goal with Dynamo</li></ul> |
16 (37) |
TOR |
<a href="/players/edwin-rivas">EDWIN RIVAS</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Toronto FC II</li><li>18 games, 9 starts with TFCII</li></ul> |
17 (38) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/kay-banjo">KAY BANJO</a> |
<ul><li>Tried out with Nigerian U-23 team</li><li>Will be returning to train with that team</li></ul> |
18 (39) |
NY |
<a href="/players/stefano-bonomo">STEFANO BONOMO</a> |
<ul><li>Went on trial in Europe</li><li>Signed with USL's NYRBII in June</li><li>9 games, 3 goals with NYRBII</li></ul> |
19 (40) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/oniel-fisher">ONIEL FISHER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>12 games, 9 starts with Sounders</li><li>11 games in USL with S2 while on loan</li></ul> |
20 (41) |
PHI |
<a href="/players/eric-bird">ERIC BIRD</a> |
<ul><li>3 games, 1 start in USL with Harrisburg City Islanders while on loan</li><li>Had option declined after season</li></ul> |
21 (42) |
DC |
<a href="/players/dan-metzger">DAN METZGER</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with NYRBII</li><li>12 games, 11 starts with NYRBII</li><li>Participated in Toulon Tournament with US U-23's</li></ul> |
Round 3
# |
CLUB |
PLAYER |
NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (43) |
ORL |
<a href="/players/earl-edwards-jr">EARL EDWARDS, JR.</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>1 start in US Open Cup with Orlando City</li></ul> |
2 (44) |
NYC |
<a href="/players/andre-rawls">ANDRE RAWLS</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Wilmington Hammerheads</li><li>22 starts with Hammerheads</li><li>89 saves was tied for second most in USL</li></ul> |
3 (45) |
MTL |
<a href="/players/cameron-porter">CAMERON PORTER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Scored series-winning goal in 93rd minute of CCL quarterfinals vs. Pachuca</li><li>Tore ACL in March</li><li>Recently re-signed for 2016 season</li></ul> |
4 (46) |
SJ |
<a href="/players/keasel-broome">KEASEL BROOME</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by NASL's New York Cosmos in April</li><li>Made 2 starts for Barbados in World Cup qualifying</li></ul> |
5 (47) |
NE |
<a href="/players/marc-fenelus">MARC FENELUS</a> |
<ul><li>Appeared with Turks & Caicos in World Cup qualifying</li></ul> |
6 (48) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/andy-craven">ANDY CRAVEN</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>14 games, 5 starts for S2 in USL</li><li>Signed with Sounders in June</li><li>3 appearances with Sounders</li></ul> |
7 (49) |
HOU |
<a href="/players/taylor-hunter">TAYLOR HUNTER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>1 start for Dynamo</li><li>14 starts with USL's Colorado Springs Switchbacks while on loan</li></ul> |
8 (50) |
TOR |
<a href="/players/micheal-ramos">MICHEAL RAMOS</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Kitsap Pumas in PDL</li><li>11 appearances with Kitsap Pumas</li><li>1 game in USL with S2 while on loan</li></ul> |
9 (51) |
PHI |
<a href="/players/aaron-simmons">AARON SIMMONS</a> |
<ul><li>Currently training and looking to continue soccer career</li></ul> |
10 (52) |
POR |
<a href="/players/anthony-manning">ANTHONY MANNING</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>15 starts for T2 in USL</li><li>Signed with Timbers in July</li></ul> |
11 (53) |
SKC |
<a href="/players/james-rogers">JAMES ROGERS</a> |
<ul><li>Waived by Sporting in June</li></ul> |
12 (54) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/jovan-blagojevic">JOVAN BLAGOJEVIC</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Vancouver Whitecaps FC II</li><li>17 games, 1 start with VWFCII</li></ul> |
13 (55) |
CLB |
<a href="/players/robert-kristo">ROBERT KRISTO</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Spezia in Serie B</li><li>Loaned out to Fidelis Andria in Italian 3rd division </li><li>6 games, 3 starts with Fidelis</li></ul> |
14 (56) |
DAL |
<a href="/players/will-seymore">WILL SEYMORE</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Lane United in PDL</li><li>Signed with USL's Vancouver Whtiecaps FC II</li><li>10 games, 9 starts</li></ul> |
15 (57) |
RSL |
<a href="/players/jordan-murrell">JORDAN MURRELL</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Lane United in PDL</li><li>Signed with USL's Vancouver Whitecaps FC II in July</li><li>10 games, 9 starts with VWFCII</li></ul> |
16 (58) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/adam-montague">ADAM MONTAGUE</a> |
<ul><li>Currently working as an Equity Research Associate for Kabouter Management in Chicago</li></ul> |
17 (59) |
NY |
<a href="/players/shawn-mclaws">SHAWN MCLAWS</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>21 starts with USL's NYRBII while on loan</li></ul> |
18 (60) |
CLB |
<a href="/players/tomas-gomez">TOMAS GOMEZ</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by Earthquakes in March</li><li>Had option declined after season</li></ul> |
19 (61) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/spencer-richey">SPENCER RICHEY</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by USL's Vancouver Whitecaps FC II</li><li>12 games, 11 starts with VWFCII</li></ul> |
20 (62) |
LA |
<a href="/players/daniel-keller">DANIEL KELLER</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by NASL's Indy Eleven in May</li><li>16 games, 11 starts with Indy Eleven</li></ul> |
Round 4
# |
CLUB |
PLAYER |
NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (63) |
ORL |
<a href="/players/sidney-rivera" target="_blank">SIDNEY RIVERA</a> |
<ul><li>8 games with USL's Louisville City while on loan</li><li>Had option declined after season</li></ul> |
2 (64) |
NYC |
<a href="/players/markus-naglestad" target="_blank">MARKUS NAGLESTAD</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with FK Gjovik-Lyn in Norway</li></ul> |
3 (65) |
MTL |
<a href="/players/cameron-iwasa" target="_blank">CAMERON IWASA</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Sacramento Republic</li><li>17 games, 5 starts with Sacramento</li></ul> |
4 (66) |
SJ |
<a href="/players/chimdum-mez" target="_blank">CHIMDUM MEZ</a> |
<ul><li>Played in PDL with Kitsap Pumas over summer</li><li>Finished degree at Cal State Sacramento in December</li></ul> |
5 (67) |
COL |
<a href="/players/dominique-badji" target="_blank">DOMINIQUE BADJI</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>15 games, 9 starts with Rapids</li><li>6 starts in USL with Charlotte Independence while on loan</li></ul> |
6 (68) |
CHI |
<a href="/players/alex-shinsky" target="_blank">ALEX SHINSKY</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Arizona United</li><li>6 games, 4 starts with Arizona</li></ul> |
7 (69) |
CLB |
<a href="/players/kalen-ryden" target="_blank">KALEN RYDEN</a> |
<ul><li>9 games with USL's Austin Aztex while on loan</li><li>Waived by Columbus in August</li><li>Signed by USL's OKC Energy FC in August</li></ul> |
8 (70) |
TOR |
<a href="/players/salvador-bernal" target="_blank">SAL BERNAL</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by USL's Toronto FC II</li><li>12 games, 8 starts with TFCII</li></ul> |
9 (71) |
PHI |
<a href="/players/raymond-lee" target="_blank">RAYMOND LEE</a> |
<ul><li>1 game with Union</li><li>1 game with USL's Harrisburg City Islanders</li><li>Waived by Union in August</li></ul> |
10 (72) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/craig-nitti" target="_blank">CRAIG NITTI</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by USL's Vancouver Whitecaps FC II</li><li>18 games, 15 starts with VWFCII</li></ul> |
11 (73) |
SKC |
<a href="/players/tony-rocha" target="_blank">TONY ROCHA</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by USL's Austin Aztex</li><li>25 games, 19 starts with Austin</li><li>Signed by USL's Orlando City B for 2016</li></ul> |
12 (74) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/nikola-paunic" target="_blank">NIKOLA PAUNIC</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by USL's OC Blues in June</li><li>4 games, 2 starts with OC Blues</li></ul> |
13 (75) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/charlie-lyon" target="_blank">CHARLIE LYON</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Signed by Sounders in March</li><li>24 games, 21 starts in USL with S2 while on loan</li></ul> |
14 (76) |
DAL |
<a href="/players/jaineil-hoilett" target="_blank">JAINEIL HOILETT</a> |
<ul><li>Currently on the Humber College soccer team in Toronto</li></ul> |
15 (77) |
RSL |
<a href="/players/lucas-baldin" target="_blank">LUCAS BALDIN</a> |
<ul><li>Signed by USL's Real Monarchs SLC</li><li>27 games (19 starts), 5 goals for Monarchs</li></ul> |
16 (78) |
COL |
<a href="/players/matt-jeffery" target="_blank">MATT JEFFERY</a> |
<ul><li>Production Assistant for Prime Mortgage Lending, Inc. in Holmdel, NJ</li></ul> |
17 (79) |
NY |
<a href="/players/manolo-sanchez" target="_blank">MANOLO SANCHEZ</a> |
<ul><li>3 games wth Red Bulls</li><li>22 games, 4 goals in USL with RBNYII while on loan</li></ul> |
18 (80) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/andy-bevin" target="_blank">ANDREW BEVIN</a> |
<ul><li>Signed in May with South Melbourne FC in the Australian lower leagues</li></ul> |
19 (81) |
TOR |
<a href="/players/tyler-engel" target="_blank">TYLER ENGEL</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with NASL's Carolina Railhawks in May</li><li>9 games, 3 starts with Carolina</li></ul> |
20 (82) |
LA |
<a href="/players/andrew-wolverton" target="_blank">ANDREW WOLVERTON</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Galaxy in June</li><li>1 start with USL's LA Galaxy II while on loan</li><li>Had option declined after season</li></ul> |
(83)* |
COL |
<a href="/players/brandon-fricke" target="_blank">BRANDON FRICKE</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Charlotte Independence in February</li><li>1 game with Charlotte</li></ul> |
(84)* |
POR |
<a href="/players/seth-casiple" target="_blank">SETH CASIPLE</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Timbers 2</li><li>10 games, 5 starts with T2</li></ul> |
