There are plenty of people hanging around the MLS-verse who are calling for the end of the MLS SuperDraft. People are saying that the quality of player that comes out of the draft isn’t great. Nobody else is the world does a draft so why should MLS continue with it. I am here in defense for the MLS SuperDraft. Maybe not in its current state, but the MLS SuperDraft should continue.

Let’s look at the last three MLS SuperDraft player’s drafted, because some MLS gems are in there. In 2017 we had Atlanta United starlets in Miles Robinson and Julian Gressel, USMNT d-mid Jackson Yueill, also add in starters like Jeremy Ebobisse, Lalas Abubakar, Jonathan Lewis, and Jake Nerwinski. In 2018 we saw Chris “Cash” Mueller drafted, more mini Bulls added to the collection in Brian White and Tom Barlow, LAFC starter Tristian Blackmon, and the striker sensation Mason Toye. Finally, let’s look at last season’s draft. In 2019 we saw international starters like Peter-Lee Vassell and Kamal Miller, rookie of the year finalists Hassani Dotson and Andre Shinyashiki, and Minnesota United starter Chase Gasper.

These guys are going to be current of future starters within MLS. I think looking at the major characters of Miles Robinson, Jackson Yueill, Julian Gressel, and Hassani Dotson are perfect examples of the types of talent that come out of college and head to MLS teams. Not all of countries have the level of collegiate sports and collegiate soccer that the United States has. We have a lot of academy kids from European countries that come here for a better life and they play soccer for great universities like Georgetown University, the University of Virginia, Stanford University, University of North Carolina, Wake Forrest University, and others. These kids make their way to MLS and add great quality to teams.

But Major League Soccer needs to adapt and change with the times. The current state of the MLS SuperDraft has four rounds and the potential for 104 players drafted. There is no way that U.S. soccer between MLS, USL Championship, USL League 1, NISA, NPSL, and whatever else can take the influx of 104 players every single year. Of course these players are going to be spread out and signed to teams, whether there is a draft or not, but forcing MLS teams to sign these guys is not realistic. For the SuperDraft to mean anything to MLS teams, it needs to be worth it to MLS teams to sign these guys, and potentially keep them within their system. Right now, these 3rd and 4th round picks are not worth keeping in the long term.

Here is the way I think the ”MLS SuperDraft” should work. First off I think it should be a USSF SuperDraft and not just MLS. Also changing it from the word “draft” to maybe a “bidding”? Allow the opportunity for MLS, independent USL, and other soccer teams to bid for the rights to these players coming out of college. Obviously the top tier talent still heads to MLS, USL teams can compete at a similar level, and it allows MLS teams to not be forced to sign college players if they don’t want to. Cut the draft down to two rounds, and still give the opportunity for free agent American players.

Now this is just a small set of thoughts here about the SuperDraft and let me know what you guys think on Twitter: @MLSAces