Official SuperDraft player list revealed;
Top prospect Jon Bakero named 2018 Combine MVP
PHILADELPHIA(Thursday, January 18, 2018) – Setting the stage for MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas, Major League Soccer today revealed the draft-eligible player list, as top young talents from the 2018 MLS adidas Player Combine hope to realize their dreams of joining an MLS club when the main event kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Friday, January 19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
The MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas live show will be the official destination for comprehensive SuperDraft coverage, featuring exclusive first interviews with draft picks, and expert analysis from both MLSsoccer.com personalities and celebrity guests. The live show will stream on MLSsoccer.com, YouTube.com/MLS, Twitter.com/MLS, and Facebook.com/MLS.
Fans can join the conversation using hashtag #SuperDraft for an all-access, behind-the-scenes experience, as Atlanta United’s Julian Gressel, the reigning AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year, checks in with draftees via Instagram and Snapchat stories.
Among the more than 200 SuperDraft prospects increasingly gaining attention are MAC Hermann Trophy winner Jon Bakero (Wake Forest), who was named the 2018 Tom Fitzgerald MLS Combine Most Valuable Player, and three-time NCAA Champion Tomas Hilliard-Arce (Stanford). Additionally, MLS clubs will have their eyes on seven Generation adidas players including Francis Atuahene (University of Michigan), Mo Adams (Syracuse University), Joao Moutinho (University of Akron), Edward Opoku (University of Virginia), Mason Toye (Indiana University), Ema Twumasi (Wake Forest University), and Gordon Wild (University of Maryland, College Park).
MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas will be held in conjunction with the United Coaches Association Convention for the 16th consecutive year.
MEDIA INFORMATION
The complete MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas player list is available here.
Download logos for MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas here.
Photos during MLS SuperDraft 2018 will be available here throughout the event.
CREDENTIALS & MEDIA ENTRANCE
Media credential will be available for pick up from 5-7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 18 and beginning at 8 a.m. on the morning of SuperDraft just outside Ballroom AB at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Media members will be asked to show identification to pick up credentials. Doors to the draft room will open to media at 9:30 a.m.
For any late credential requests for the MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas, please contact Mihir.Pandya@MLSsoccer.com or Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com.
SELECTION ORDER
Expansion club Los Angeles Football Club holds the first overall selection in MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas. The following selections are by teams that did not qualify for the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, beginning with the team that earned the fewest points in the 2017 regular season, unless selections have been traded. The remaining 12 picks are ranked by fewest regular season points among teams that were eliminated in the same round of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
CLICK HERE for a continually updated SuperDraft order.
PLAYER AVAILABILITY
All players present at the SuperDraft and MLS club technical staffs will be available to the media in a mixed zone setting after selection.
PARKING
Paid parking is available to media at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. A parking map is available here.
MLS COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT
For any additional questions regarding the MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas, please contact Christa.Mann@MLSsoccer.com.
UNITED SOCCER COACHES CONVENTION
The United Soccer Coaches Convention will feature an exciting slate of MLS-featured programming.
Full schedule of speakers and presenters is available here.
Media can apply for credentials to the United Soccer coaches Convention here.
CREDENTIALS:
Click Here to register online for media access at the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Convention.
Regarded as the world’s largest gathering of soccer coaches and administrators, the five-day convention will feature live presentations, educational opportunities and social activities, beginning Wednesday, January 17.
MLS executives and club representatives will lead a total of 19 sessions over the course of four days, including “What Got You Here, Won't Get You There: Leadership on and off The Pitch” on Saturday, Jan. 20 with MLS Vice President of Fan Engagement Amanda Vandervort, who recently served as President of the coaching organization from 2016-17.
Fred Lipka, MLS Technical Director for Youth Players and Development, will also host a session on the Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL) Methodology.
As the League and clubs remain fervently committed to youth development, MLS club representatives with ties to academy systems at D.C United, the Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, Toronto FC, and Orlando City SC will provide insight on topics ranging from “Implementing a Club Wide Style and System of Play” to “Developing Talent” and “Training Concepts for Youth Goalkeepers.”
Also highlighting the offerings will be a special spotlight session on Saturday, January 20 with the father-son duo of LA Galaxy Head Coach and Chair of the association’s Professional Coaches Membership Sigi Schmid alongside Cal State Fullerton Assistant Men's Soccer Coach Kyle Schmid.
In addition to these influential sessions with team and League representatives, MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas (January 19, 11 a.m. ET) will continue as a long-standing convention staple for a 16th consecutive year. Live from the draft room, convention attendees can watch proceedings of the first two rounds, as college seniors, Generation adidas players and Youth Internationals hope to be selected by one of the 23 MLS clubs ahead of the 2018 season.
As the official destination for comprehensive SuperDraft coverage, the MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas live show will feature exclusive first interviews with draft picks, and expert analysis from both MLSsoccer.com personalities and celebrity guests. The live show will stream on MLSsoccer.com, YouTube.com/MLS, Twitter.com/MLS and Facebook.com/MLS.
Below is a complete listing of notable MLS-related programming at the United Soccer Coaches Convention.
*Note: Schedule subject to change. All times are Eastern.
Thursday, January 18
9:30 a.m. Efficient Incorporation of Performance Training into Field Sessions
John DeWitt, Houston Dynamo Sports Performance Coach
2:30 p.m. Implementing a Club Wide Style and System of Play
Tommy Wilson, Philadelphia Union Academy Director
Chris Brewer/Jeff Cook/Gary Lewis, Philadelphia Union Academy Coaches
2:30 p.m. Use of Simple Data to Create Optimal Training Prescriptions
John DeWitt, Houston Dynamo Sports Performance Coach
4 p.m. Owning Your Own Development
Cristina Fink, Philadelphia Union Academy Director of Sports Psychology
4 p.m. Preparation of the Modern Total Player – Cognitive Development
Mike Rabasca, Toronto FC Director of Cognitive Development
5 p.m. Goalkeepers: Coaching Through the Age Groups,
Paul Rogers, Houston Dynamo Goalkeeper Coach
Jason Grubb, Houston Dynamo Academy Goalkeeper Coach
Friday, January 19
9:30 a.m. Training Concepts for Youth Goalkeepers
Karl Spratt, New England Revolution Academy Director of Goalkeeping
Jason Grubb, Houston Dynamo Academy Goalkeeper Coach
11 a.m. MLS SuperDraft 2018 presented by adidas
1 p.m. Developing Talent
Tommy Wilson, Philadelphia Union Academy Director
Saturday, January 20
9:30 a.m. Trends in the Youth Game for Goalkeepers
Karl Spratt, New England Revolution Academy
Jason Grubb, Houston Dynamo Academy Goalkeeper Coach
9:30 a.m. EFCL Methodology Session
Fred Lipka, MLS Technical Director for Youth Players and Development
Nathan Kish & Dave Sanford, D.C. United Academy Coaches
11 a.m. Mindfulness: Enhancing the Training Environment
Mike Rabasca, Toronto FC Director of Cognitive Development
1 p.m. Spotlight Session with Sigi & Kyle Schmid
Sigi Schmid, LA Galaxy Head Coach
4 p.m. How to Build from the Back
Fred Lipka, MLS Technical Director for Youth Players and Development
Nathan Kish & Dave Sanford, D.C. United Academy Coaches
4 p.m. Getting Behind the Opponent’s Defense with Combination Play
Sigi Schmid, LA Galaxy Head Coach
4 p.m. Leadership On and Off the Pitch
Amanda Vandervort, MLS VP of Fan Engagement
Sunday, January 21
8:15 a.m. GK Level 1 Diploma: Overview/Methods/Age Considerations
Chris Barocas, New York Red Bulls Academy Goalkeeping Coach
9:30 a.m. GK Level 1 Diploma: Basic Handling 1
Chris Barocas, New York Red Bulls Academy Goalkeeping Coach
12 p.m. GK Level 1 Diploma: Basic Handling 2
Chris Barocas, New York Red Bulls Academy Goalkeeping Coach
About United Soccer Coaches
Founded in 1941, United Soccer Coaches is the trusted and unifying voice, advocate and partner for coaches at all levels of the game. The association provides programs and services that enhance, encourage and contribute to the development and recognition of soccer coaches, their players and the game we love. To learn more, visit UnitedSoccerCoaches.org.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features 23 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, with LAFC beginning play in 2018. The League plans to have 28 clubs in the coming years. For more information about MLS, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
