Trades and Generation Adidas players dominated the first 10 picks of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft on Wednesday in St. Louis.
Beginning with Charlotte FC selecting Clemson defender Hamady Diop as the No. 1 overall pick, Generation Adidas players occupied the first five spots and seven of 10.
Diop was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection after starting 13 games for the Tigers.
“It’s something that I’m still processing right now because I didn’t see myself going No. 1. I’m extremely happy,” he said.
Generation Adidas is a league-sponsored program for top college players who leave school early to sign with MLS. Those players don’t take a spot on the team’s senior roster or count against the salary cap.
Thirteen of the 29 first-round picks involved trades on Wednesday, starting with expansion franchise St. Louis City FC dealing the top pick to Charlotte.
Following a trade with D.C. United, Orlando City obtained the second pick after dealing Brazilian defender Ruan.
Orlando selected Duke forward Shakur Mohammed. He scored a team-high 10 goals and was a first-team All-American and a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy as the top college player.
“It’s just amazing to know that all the work that people put in me is finally paying off, so I couldn’t be any prouder,” he said.
Defender Moise Bombito of New Hampshire was selected third by the Colorado Rapids.
New England acquired the fourth pick from San Jose for the 10th selection and tabbed Maryland midfielder Joshua Bolma.
Houston at No. 5 swapped picks with Vancouver at 13 and the Whitecaps took UNC-Greensboro midfielder J.C. Ngando. His 14 assists tied for second in the nation.
The first non-Generation Adidas player was Creighton forward Duncan McGuire going to Orlando at No. 6. He led the nation with 23 goals.
“It’s surreal,” he said. “It’s a dream I’ve had since I was five and I believed in it and now that it’s become a reality it’s hard to wrap your head around it.”
St. Louis finally gave their fans something to cheer for when it traded up for the ninth pick from the Seattle Sounders to draft Creighton and Generation Adidas midfielder Owen O’Malley. He scored eight goals and had six assists last season.
San Jose at No. 10 drafted Indiana defender Daniel Munie, the captain of the NCAA runner-up.
The SuperDraft consists of three rounds. More than 360 players were eligible to be drafted.
Reigning MLS Cup champion Los Angeles FC did not have a selection in the opening round. LAFC traded the 29th pick to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Oct. 15 for an international slot.
–Field Level Media
