The 2019 MLS SuperDraft was the twentieth SuperDraft conducted by Major League Soccer. The SuperDraft is typically held in conjunction with the annual January United Soccer Coaches convention, which in 2019 was held in Chicago, Illinois.[1] The first two rounds of the 2019 SuperDraft were held on January 11, 2019.[2] Rounds three and four were held via conference call on January 14, 2019.
Format
The SuperDraft format has remained constant throughout its history and closely resembles that of the NFL Draft:
Any expansion teams receive the first picks. In May 2018, MLS named FC Cincinnati as an expansion team to begin play in 2019.[3]
Non-playoff clubs receive the next picks in reverse order of prior season finish.
Teams that made the MLS Cup Playoffs are then ordered by which round of the playoffs they are eliminated.
The winners of the MLS Cup are given the last selection, and the losers the penultimate selection.
Player selection
Key
*
Denotes player who has been selected for an MLS Best XI team
^#4: Colorado Rapids → FC Dallas. July 23, 2018: FC Dallas acquired a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, an international roster spot through the 2019 season, and forward Dominique Badji from Colorado Rapids in exchange for midfielder Kellyn Acosta, a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, and a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft. FC Dallas also retains 50% of any international transfer value on Acosta until the closing of the 2020 summer transfer window.[4]
^#5: Chicago Fire → Colorado Rapids. January 11, 2019: Colorado Rapids acquired a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Chicago Fire in exchange for a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft (#15 overall) and $100,000 of general allocation money.[5]
^#10: Montreal Impact → FC Dallas. December 9, 2018: FC Dallas acquired a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and $75,000 in targeted allocation money from Montreal Impact in exchange for forward Maximiliano Urruti. FC Dallas also retains 50% of any international transfer value on Urruti before the first game of the 2019 season with additional future considerations beyond that.[6]
^#12: LA Galaxy → New York City FC. January 11, 2019: New York City FC acquired a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from LA Galaxy in exchange for a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft (#19 overall) and $75,000 of general allocation money.[8]
^#13: Philadelphia Union → FC Cincinnati. January 9, 2019: FC Cincinnati acquired first-round (No. 13 overall), second-round (No. 29), second-round (No. 37), third-round (No. 61), and fourth-round (No. 85) selections in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money. Should additional performance-based metrics be met, FC Cincinnati could send up to an additional $50,000 in General Allocation Money in 2020.[9]
^#15: FC Dallas → Colorado Rapids → Chicago Fire → Minnesota United. January 11, 2019: Minnesota United FC acquired a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Chicago Fire in exchange for $50,000 in general allocation money.[10] Earlier on January 11, 2019, Chicago had acquired this first-round selection and $100,000 in general allocation money from Colorado Rapids in exchange for a first-round selection (#5 overall) in the 2019 SuperDraft.[5] On July 23, 2018, Colorado had acquired this first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, and midfielder Kellyn Acosta from FC Dallas in exchange for a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, an international roster spot through the 2019 season, and forward Dominique Badji. FC Dallas also retains 50% of any international transfer value on Acosta until the closing of the 2020 summer transfer window.[4]
^#16: Los Angeles FC → FC Cincinnati → New York Red Bulls. January 11, 2019: New York Red Bulls acquired a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from FC Cincinnati in exchange for $100,000 in general allocation money.[11] On January 9, 2019, FC Cincinnati had acquired this first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, $175,000 in General Allocation Money, and the initial 2020 Allocation Ranking from Los Angeles FC in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and the initial 2020 Allocation Ranking. The 2020 Allocation Ranking swap will move to 2021 if FC Cincinnati is ranked in the top five spots in 2020.[12]
^#19: New York City FC → LA Galaxy. January 11, 2019: LA Galaxy acquired a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and $75,000 in general allocation money from New York City FC in exchange for a first-round selection (#12 overall) in the 2019 SuperDraft.[8]
Round 2
^#25: FC Cincinnati → New York Red Bulls. January 11, 2019: New York Red Bulls acquired a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from FC Cincinnati in exchange for $100,000 in general allocation money.[11]
^#29: Chicago Fire → Philadelphia Union → FC Cincinnati. January 9, 2019: FC Cincinnati acquired second-round (No. 29 overall), first-round (No. 13), second-round (No. 37), third-round (No. 61), and fourth-round (No. 85) selections in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money. Should additional performance-based metrics be met, FC Cincinnati could send up to an additional $50,000 in General Allocation Money in 2020.[9] On December 9, 2018, Philadelphia had acquired this second-round selection from Chicago Fire in exchange for midfielder Fabian Herbers.[13]
^#30: Toronto FC → FC Cincinnati. December 27, 2018: FC Cincinnati acquired a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and the #2 position in the MLS Allocation Order from Toronto FC in exchange for the #1 position in the MLS Allocation Order. Toronto used its allocation position to select defender Laurent Ciman.[14]
^#32: Houston Dynamo → Chicago Fire → New York Red Bulls. January 11, 2019: New York Red Bulls acquired a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Chicago Fire in exchange for the MLS rights to midfielder Amando Moreno.[15] On December 10, 2017, Chicago had acquired this second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Houston Dynamo in exchange for midfielder Arturo Álvarez.[16]
^#33: New England Revolution → D.C. United → Houston Dynamo. January 11, 2019: Houston Dynamo acquired a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from D.C. United in exchange for goalkeeper Chris Seitz.[17] Earlier on January 11, 2019, D.C. had acquired this second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, a third-round selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, and a fourth-round selection in the 2020 SuperDraft from New England Revolution in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2020 SuperDraft. All three 2020 SuperDraft picks traded are natural selections.[18]
^#37: Philadelphia Union → FC Cincinnati. January 9, 2019: FC Cincinnati acquired second-round (No. 37 overall), first-round (No. 13), second-round (No. 29), third-round (No. 61), and fourth-round (No. 85) selections in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money. Should additional performance-based metrics be met, FC Cincinnati could send up to an additional $50,000 in General Allocation Money in 2020.[9]
^#38: D.C. United → Orlando City. December 19, 2018: Orlando City SC acquired a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from D.C. United in exchange for goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr..[19]
^#39: FC Dallas → Colorado Rapids → Toronto FC. December 14, 2018: Toronto FC acquired a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Colorado Rapids in exchange for goalkeeper Clint Irwin.[20] On July 23, 2018, Colorado had acquired this second-round selection, a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, and midfielder Kellyn Acosta from FC Dallas in exchange for a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, an international roster spot through the 2019 season, and forward Dominique Badji. FC Dallas also retains 50% of any international transfer value on Acosta until the closing of the 2020 summer transfer window.[4]
^#42: Columbus Crew → Colorado Rapids. December 15, 2017: Colorado Rapids acquired a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Columbus Crew SC in exchange for midfielder Mike Grella.[21]
^#46: New York Red Bulls → San Jose Earthquakes. December 12, 2018: San Jose Earthquakes acquired a second-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and the #21 selection in the 2018 MLS Waiver Draft from New York Red Bulls in exchange for the #1 selection in the 2018 MLS Waiver Draft. New York used the waiver selection to choose midfielder Marcus Epps. San Jose did not utilize its waiver selection.[22]
Round 3
^#51: Orlando City → LA Galaxy. December 27, 2017: LA Galaxy acquired a third-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Orlando City SC in exchange for forward Jose Villarreal.[23]
^#52: Colorado Rapids → LA Galaxy. December 14, 2017: LA Galaxy acquired this third-round pick, originally a conditional fourth-round selection, in the 2019 SuperDraft from Colorado Rapids in exchange for forward Jack McBean.[24]
^#55: Minnesota United → Chicago Fire. March 31, 2017: Chicago Fire acquired a third-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Minnesota United FC in exchange for the number one position in the MLS waiver order. Minnesota used the waiver position to select midfielder Sam Cronin.[25]
^#59: Vancouver Whitecaps → Orlando City. December 9, 2018: Orlando City SC acquired a third-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for midfielder PC.[26]
^#61: Philadelphia Union → FC Cincinnati. January 9, 2019: FC Cincinnati acquired third-round (No. 61 overall), first-round (No. 13), second-round (No. 29), second-round (No. 37), and fourth-round (No. 85) selections in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money. Should additional performance-based metrics be met, FC Cincinnati could send up to an additional $50,000 in General Allocation Money in 2020.[9]
^#72: Atlanta United → D.C. United. August 8, 2017: D.C. United acquired a third-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Atlanta United FC in exchange for defender Bobby Boswell.[28]
Round 4
^#73: FC Cincinnati → Los Angeles FC. January 9, 2019: Los Angeles FC acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and the initial 2020 Allocation Ranking from FC Cincinnati in exchange for a first-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, $175,000 in General Allocation Money, and the initial 2020 Allocation Ranking. The 2020 Allocation Ranking swap will move to 2021 if FC Cincinnati is ranked in the top five spots in 2020.[12]
^#75: Orlando City → New York City → Orlando City → Minnesota United. January 10, 2019: Minnesota United FC acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, another fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft (#94 overall), and the #1 spot in the MLS Waiver Order from Orlando City SC in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft and the #4 spot in the MLS Waiver Order. Minnesota used its waiver spot to sign midfielder Osvaldo Alonso.[29] On December 12, 2018, Orlando City had re-acquired this fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from New York City FC in exchange for midfielder Tony Rocha.[30] On January 27, 2017, New York City FC had acquired this fourth-round selection from Orlando City in exchange for goalkeeper Josh Saunders.[31]
^#78: Toronto FC → New York Red Bulls. February 14, 2018: New York Red Bulls acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Toronto FC in exchange for the MLS rights to goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell.[32]
^#80: Houston Dynamo → Real Salt Lake. April 23, 2018: Real Salt Lake acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and future considerations from Houston Dynamo in exchange for the MLS rights to midfielder Luis Gil for the 2018 season.[34]
^#84: LA Galaxy → Los Angeles FC → New York Red Bulls. August 3, 2018: New York Red Bulls acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from Los Angeles FC in exchange for the MLS rights to defender Danilo Aparecido da Silva.[35]Trade details needed.As of January 11, 2019, MLS has not reported how or when Los Angeles FC acquired this pick from LA Galaxy. No trade between the LA clubs was announced.
^#85: Philadelphia Union → FC Cincinnati. January 9, 2019: FC Cincinnati acquired fourth-round (No. 85 overall), first-round (No. 13), second-round (No. 29), second-round (No. 37), and third-round (No. 61) selections in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money. Should additional performance-based metrics be met, FC Cincinnati could send up to an additional $50,000 in General Allocation Money in 2020.[9]
^#86: D.C. United → LA Galaxy. December 12, 2016: LA Galaxy acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and midfielder Miguel Aguilar from D.C. United in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2018 SuperDraft.[37]
^#88: Los Angeles FC → FC Dallas. March 21, 2018: FC Dallas acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft and a conditional $50,000 in general allocation money from Los Angeles FC in exchange for the MLS rights to midfielder Shaft Brewer.[38]
^#91: New York City → Columbus Crew. December 14, 2017: Columbus Crew SC acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from New York City FC in exchange for goalkeeper Brad Stuver.[39]
^#94: New York Red Bulls → Orlando City → Minnesota United. January 10, 2019: Minnesota United FC acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft, another fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft (#75 overall), and the #1 spot in the MLS Waiver Order from Orlando City SC in exchange for a second-round selection in the MLS SuperDraft and the #4 spot in the MLS Waiver Order. Minnesota used its waiver spot to sign midfielder Osvaldo Alonso.[29] On December 11, 2018, Orlando City had acquired this fourth-round selection in the 2019 SuperDraft from New York Red Bulls in exchange for defender Amro Tarek.[41]
