2022 MLS Mock Draft: Final Mock 4 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-14

News on Charlotte FC, FC, Cincinnati, and Toronto F.C. Find out who goes where in our final 2022 MLS Mock Draft.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: January 11, 2022.

1. Charlotte FC: Ben Bender, M, Maryland
   
   
   This new updated MLS Mock Draft is four rounds and will feature picks for all 89 selections with the 84 picks from the first three rounds as well as four compensation picks. There were 28 players at the 2021 MLS College Showcase that cracked the first round of this mock draft with the top seniors that didn't participate in the Showcase getting picked in the second and third rounds. Charlotte FC is now on the clock.
   
   
   
   Charlotte FC will join the MLS in 2022 running a 4-3-3 formation with 3 forwards, 3 midfielders, 4 defensemen, and 1 goalie. Charlotte FC already has Jordy Alcivar at central midfielder, Gusman Corujo at center back, Christian Fuchs at left back, Riley McGree at left midfielder, Brandt Bronico at right midfielder, Jo Sobocinski at center back, and Adam Armour at right back.
   
   
   
   Charlotte FC added three more players in the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft getting Austin F.C. right winger McKinzie Gaines, D.C. United left back Joseph Mora, and Atlanta United F.C. center back Anton Walkes. Charlotte FC traded Tristan Blackmon and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi for $875,000 in Allocation Money.
   
   
   
   Charlotte FC traded $150,000 of that $875,000 away in order to acquire two more players. Those two players are Sporting Kansas City right back Jaylin Lindsey and LAFC backup goalie Pablo Sisniega who got traded to Charlotte FC for $50,000 in Allocation money. LAFC got back $50,000 of the $400,000 they traded away when trading for Ismael Tajour-Shradi.
   
   
   
   Charlotte FC also added Vinicius Mello a 19-year Brazilian forward as their central forward at striker. Charlotte FC also added Harrison Afful the starting right back on Columbus Crew's 2020 MLS Cup Team who saw less minutes with the Crew in 2021. Charlotte FC also added central forward Yordy Renya as an additional striker for insurance in case Vinicius Mello isn't ready to make the leap to MLS this year. One move Charlotte FC made a few minutes ago was signing goalie Kristijan Kahlina from Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgard. Kristijan Kahlina had 13 shutouts with Lodogoretz Razgard last year and now he will start at goalie with Charlotte FC.
   
   
   
   Charlotte FC now has stability at goalie leaving left winger as the main area to address in the 2022 MLS Super Draft. Charlotte FC has used six of their ten International roster slots and can still take an International player first overall if they don't want to take a Domestic player born in the United States first overall.
   
   
   
   Charlotte FC now has Anton Walkes, Gusmon Corujo, Jo Sobocinski, and Christian Makoun at center back. These four center backs give Charlotte FC quality starters as well as good depth players at center back. Also left midfielder Riley McGree signed elsewhere giving Charlotte four International slots instead of 2 or 3. This means Ousseni Bouda or Ben Bender will go first overall to Charlotte.
   
   
   
   I was going to put Ousseni Bouda here. With F.C. Dallas trading up to 3, I think Ben Bender is now all, but a lock to go first overall. Joseph Potter, the cohost of the Draft Utopia podcast called Ben Bender his favorite player in the 2022 MLS Super Draft on Saturday's podcast.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 165 lb Ben Bender is the perfect player for Charlotte FC to build their franchise around as he would give this team a jack of all trades midfielder with goal scoring instincts, creative flair, and defensive discipline. Ben Bender could end up playing left winger or left midfielder in Charlotte FC with McGree now gone. I'm gonna say Bender ends up at left midfielder allowing them to take a left winger at the top of the second round. Ben Bender had 2 goals as a freshman in the Spring of 2021. Ben Bender had 7 goals, 5 assists, and 19 points in the Fall of 2021.
   
   
   
   Ben Bender can play the 7 at right winger, 8 at central midfielder, 9 at striker, 10 at attacking midfielder, or 11 at left winger with his versatility. He won Big 10 Midfielder of the year this season for a reason as a sophomore. Ben Bender gives Charlotte FC an attacking midfielder that can also play on the wing. Ben Bender may end up being the face of the franchise for Charlotte FC.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Ousseni Bouda, F, Stanford
   
   
2. FC Cincinnati: Kipp Keller, M, Saint Louis
   
   
   FC Cincinnati has Souza da Silva as their striker as he led FC Cincinnati with 8 goals in 2021. You also got Valot at left wing by giving up 50,000 in Allocation Money as a stop-gap while Calvin Harris develops. Acosta currently leads FC Cincinnati in assists despite the team trading top draft pick Frankie Amaya. Barreal is a solid right winger. The problem is that FC Cincinnati has a defensive midfielder and two center backs that all could be upgraded. FC Cincinnati added former FC Dallas left back John Nelson to fill one of their roster spots on defense and they have a promising right back in Zico Bailey who the team believes can be a star.
   
   
   
   These players on the back line outside of Nelson need to be replaced, so it's going to take two really strong drafts by FC Cincinnati where they hit on picks in rounds 1-3. The good news is the 2022 MLS Super Draft has a chance to be one of the stronger MLS Super Drafts in recent memory and FC Cincinnati has four selections. The bad news is that FC Cincinnati will be limited to selecting Domestic players born in the United States with their four selections.
   
   
   
   FC Cincinnati takes Saint Louis midfielder turned center back Kipp Keller at 2 with Ben Bender off the board. I'll be speaking with Saint Louis head coach Kevin Kalish Tuesday at noon est on Talkshoe in the link below.
   
   
   
   The 6-3 185 lb Kipp Keller can play the 4 at center back, the 5 at center back as a sweeper, the 6 at defensive midfielder, or the 8 at central midfielder. He was a central midfielder until the Fall of 2021 at Saint Louis where he transitioned to defensive midfielder. He played center back at the 2021 MLS College Showcase as a defender after helping Saint Louis record 8 shutouts in the Spring of 2021 before helping Saint Louis record 9 shutouts in the Fall of 2021. Kipp Keller is known more for his defense than his offense despite having experience at midfielder.
   
   
   
   Kipp Keller has the dribbling, tackling, size, and physicality that you want in a center back. He lacks the speed to play midfielder at the next level though. Kipp Keller plays smart he's a good defender, but you'd like to see more growth and ability as an enforcer as he develops. Still, he's the consensus best player in this draft according to Travis Clark, Matthew Doyle, and Ives Galcarep who all have him going in the top 2.
   
   
   
   Also, I got the interview with Saint Louis Billikens head coach Kevin Kalish up on Talkshoe. Also, I got the episode up on Anchor so you can listen to it while reading this mock draft. Kevin Kalish described Kipp Keller as a warrior and the guy who puts out the fires on Saint Louis.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Ben Bender, M, Maryland
   
   
   
   
3. F.C. Dallas: Ousseni Bouda, F, Stanford
   
   
   A source close to Toronto F.C. told me that Toronto F.C. will either draft Kipp Keller or his Saint Louis teammate Patrick Shulte third overall on Saturday Night. I was also hearing rumors that the Houston Dynamo were locked in on my favorite player in this class Ousseni Bouda at 4 on Sunday. Toronto offered F.C. Dallas Dom Dwyer and the third pick in the 2022 MLS Super Draft since their organization realized it's too early to take a goalie third overall with Alex Bono still on this roster. Meanwhile F.C. Dallas gets the player they want before Houston by taking on a bad contract. This deal works out great for both teams, and it's also the fourth time in five years where the third overall draft pick has been traded away.
   
   
   
   Ousseni Bouda is the top player on my 2022 MLS Draft Big Board, and he's a slam dunk pick for any MLS team in my opinion. Bouda just seems so cerebral and disciplined physically, mentally, and spiritually. Bouda kind of reminds me of former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning with his presence and the way he carries himself. I think he's got a chance to be special in the MLS. A lot could happen between now and two weeks though.
   
   
   
   The 5-10 170 lb Ousseni Bouda would be a player who could start from day 1 at left winger for F.C. Dallas. The Burkina Faso native had to earn everything he's ever received. Bouda received the last roster spot on the Right To Dream Academy for four years in Ghana after being the last player picked by the squad. Bouda drove on a bicycle to a game and when he showed up late, he was upset, crying, the coach allowed Bouda to play against eighteen year olds at the age of ten and was impressed enough with Bouda's potential to let him join the team.
   
   
   
   After four years with the Right To Dream Academy, Ousseni Bouda enrolled at Milbrook High School in New York where he had 156 career goals while setting school records for 7 goals in a single game and 61 goals in a season. Bouda was a two-time team captain at Milbrook winning Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year in 2018 and USA Today Soccer Player of the year in 2019 in his two years as Milbrook's captain which led to Bouda being the top recruit in the entire country. Bouda went to Nike headquarters to tell his story while announcing his committment to Stanford.
   
   
   
   Bouda enrolled in Stanford and had 5 goals, 5 assists, and 15 points as a true freshman on a Stanford squad that made the 2019 College Cup en route to winning PAC 12 Freshman Of The Year in 2019. Ousseni Bouda has the speed, kicking power, kicking accuracy, passing, playmaking, and ball skills to make defenders miss. He checks off all the boxes offensively. His discipline and extremely high soccer IQ speaks for itself. He's clutch too as three of his five goals were game-winning goals for Stanford in his freshman season. He defends well and is just the most complete striker I've seen since Cyle Larin who went first overall back in 2015.
   
   
   
   Bouda can play the 2, 7, 9, 10, or 11 roles with his versatility since Bouda has experience as a striker, attacking midfielder, left winger, right winger, and right back. Bouda's preference is to play the wing on either side at the next level.
   
   
   
   Also, I got the Ousseni Bouda up on Talkshoe. Also, I got the episode up on Anchor so you can listen to it while reading this mock draft.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Theo Collomb, F, UNC Greensboro
   
   
4. Houston Dynamo F.C.: Isaiah Parker, F, Saint Louis
   
   
   The Houston Dynamo reportedly love Ousseni Bouda from what I'm hearing from Houston. With Ben Bender and Ousseni Bouda off the board, I'm expecting them to take Saint Louis left winger Isaiah Parker fourth overall.
   
   
   
   The 5-8 160 lb Isaiah Parker had 3 goals, 7 assists, and 14 points as a true freshman with the Saint Louis Billikens in the Fall of 2021. Parker has the tools to be an elite winger down the road with the right development. His speed with the ball is ridiculous.
   
   
   
   Isaiah Parker can play the 7 at right winger or the 11 at left winger with his versatility. The 19-year-old Isaiah Parker is the youngest player in the 2022 MLS Super Draft. He would have been the front runner to go first overall in the 2023 MLS Super Draft had he returned to school, but he got an offer to turn pro with Generation Adidas as a true freshman right before St. Louis City SC got their expansion team.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Celio Pompeu, M, Virginia Commonwealth
   
   
   
   
5. Austin FC: Kyle Holcomb, F, Wake Forest
   
   
   Austin F.C. takes the best Domestic Player on the board at 5. Kyle Holcolmb is the best domestic striker born in the United States still on the board.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 165 lb Kyle Holcolmb had back-to-back seasons with 9 goals for Wake Forest heading into the Fall of 2021. His consistent goal scoring makes him a top 20 pick heading into the season when you consider he led Wake Forest in goals as a true sophomore in 2019 before matching that total with 9 goals again after showcasing his skills in the Fall fo 2020 and the Spring of 2021. Holcomb had 12 goals, 4 assists, and 28 points in the Fall of 2021 showcasing his consistent goal scoring for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The 21-year-old Kyle Holcomb gives Austin FC a striker they can depend on as well as a goal scorer that last years first overall pick Virginia Tech midfielder Daniel Pereira can pass the ball to.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Bertin Jacquesson, F, Pittsburgh
   
   
6. F.C. Dallas: Roman Celentano, G, Indiana
   
   
   The 6-3 200 lb Roman Celentano had 7 shutouts as a freshman in 2019, 9 shutouts in the Spring of 2021, and 11 shutouts in the Fall of 2021 as a junior. Roman Celentano is one goalie who has earned a potential Generation Adidas offer after his shutout win over Pittsburgh in the 2020 College Cup in the Spring where Pittsburgh outshot Indiana while Celentano kept the Hoosiers in that game. His consecutive saves against Northwestern in the 2021 Big Ten Tournament really wowed me as Roman Celentano is a natural 1 at goalie. His golatending won him Big 10 Goalie of the Year this fall.
   
   
   
   F.C. Dallas extended their goalie, plus the franchise is grooming Colin Shulte the Virginia goalie, their 2021 second round pick for the future. The thing is F.C. Dallas has eight International roster slots occupied. Also the backup goalie as well as the starter are both over 30 years old. Colin Shulte has promise, but he doesn't wow me. Roman Celentano wows me which is why F.C. Dallas takes him at 6, heck there's a chance Roman Celentano goes first overall to Charlotte FC, but if he gets to 6 F.C. Dallas has to draft him since the teams picking two through five don't need a goalie.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Chicago Fire F.C.: Farai Mutatu, F, Michigan State
   
   
   Chicago Fire F.C. takes the best Domestic Player on the board at 7. Farai Mutatu is the best domestic striker born in the United States still on the board.
   
   
   
   Farai Mutatu was born in Zimbabwe, but his hometown is Haslett, Michigan. The 22-year-old Michigan State forward is a domestic player in the 2022 MLS Super Draft which means he will probably get picked in the top 10 in wake of this news.
   
   
   
   The 5-9 165 lb Farai Mutatu led Michigan State in shot attempts with 21 and goals with 10 in the Spring of 2021. His speed, kicking power, and kicking accuracy is amazing despite being smaller than 5-10. He's also one of the fastest players in College Soccer and I'd argue he is the fastest player in this draft. Farai Mutatu had 7 goals, 3 assists, and 17 points in the Fall of 2021. He's versatile enough to play the 7 at right winger, the 9 at striker, and the 11 at left winger. It's possible that Farai Mutatu gets picked in the first round just based on his speed alone as some mocks have put Mutatu in the top 10 which is why Farai Mutatu is a perfect fit for Chicago Fire F.C. as a striker or a winger.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Oskar Agren, D, Clemson
   
   
8. San Jose Earthquakes: Thorleifur Ulfarsson, F, Duke
   
   
   San Jose has only used four of their eight International slots. This tells me that the San Jose Earthquakes just may take the best player on the board and reload their team rather than signing International players.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 165 lb Thorleifur Ulfarsson also nicknamed Thor like the Marvel Superhero hails from Iceland. This superhero on Duke's soccer team is known for scoring goals and plays the 9 as a striker playing central forward. He certainly has the skill set to go in the top 5, but teams are questioning his attitude and maturity after he taunted UCLA's goalie when one of his teammates scored a goal. Thor Ulfarsson would be a candidate to go in the top 5 if it wasn't for taunting UCLA's goalie like a supervillan.
   
   
   
   Thor Ulfarsson enrolled in Duke during the Spring of 2021. He had 4 goals, 1 assist, and 9 points in his true freshman season with his first career goal coming off the bench against Pittsburgh in the Spring of 2021. He started the very next game for Duke and had a hat trick against a Virginia Cavaliers team that was the 2019 College Cup Runner Up to Georgetown. This Fall, Thorleifur Ulfarsson took a major leap going from 4 goals to 15 with his only assist coming against the Pitt Panthers at Uranic Ambrose Field in Pittsburgh. Thorleifur Ulfarsson had 15 goals, 1 assist, and 31 points as a sophomore.
   
   
   
   Thorleifur Ulfarsson would be too much of a risk for a team like Charlotte FC or Houston Dynamo F.C. to gamble on even though the Dynamo could really use a striker. San Jose traded for Portland Timbers 2017 first round pick Jeremy Ebobisse, who is taking over for long time San Jose Earthquakes legend Chris Wondolowski who retired. San Jose also has last years first round pick Tommy Willamson playing on a loan in the USL with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Thor could end up shining in San Jose, but nothing is guaranteed since he would have to come in and beat out Jeremy Ebobisse after the team released their 2021 first round pick Tommy Williamson.
   
   
   
   As much as I disliked Thor's stunt against UCLA, he's probably the one player left in this draft that could fill the void that Wondo left unless San Jose wanted someone else like Theo Collomb. Also, I heard that Thorlefifur Ulfarsson had one of the best performances among the International players at the 2021 MLS College Showcase.
   
   
   
   A domestic option for this pick is Saint Louis Billikens striker Simon Becher who had 14 goals, 10 assists, and 34 points. Becher isn't a Generation Adidas player, but he also wouldn't require an International roster slot. San Jose has an abundance of striker options, but taking the only Generation Adidas striker seems like the most logistical move for the franchise, especially after his strong performance at the 2021 MLS College Showcase.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Charlie Ostrem, D, Washington
   
   
   
   
9. Inter Miami C.F.: Simon Becher, F, Saint Louis
   
   
   The 6-1 187 lb Simon Becher is a natural 9 at striker for the Saint Louis Billikens. Simon Becher had 14 goals, 10 assists, and 34 points in the Fall of 2021. He's too talented to slip past Inter Miami C.F. after losing out on strikers like Kyle Holcolmb and Farai Mutatu.
   
   
   
   Inter Miami C.F. has Federico Higuain, Robbie Robinson, and Rodolfo Pizzaro as the top three goal scorers on the team at forward. Robinson and Pizzaro play left wing and right wing while Higuain is the teams main striker.
   
   
   
   Inter Miami C.F. cut their 2021 first round pick Josh Penn at right winger who went in the top 10 last year after one season. Inter Miami C.F. reloads at the wing hoping for a different result this time around.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 187 lb Simon Becher is a natural 9 at striker for the Saint Louis Billikens. Simon Becher had 14 goals, 10 assists, and 34 points in the Fall of 2021.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Lucas Bartlett, D, St. John's
   
   
10. Colorado Rapids: Oskar Agren, D, Clemson
    
    
    Colorado Rapids draft Philip Mayaka's Clemson teammate Oskar Agren as a center back here at 10 since the Rapids run a defensive formation with three center backs. Lalas Abubakar, Auston Trusty, and Danny Wilson dominated on this unit last season, but Colorado still added Aboubacar Keita for depth. It's also worth pointing out that Danny Wilson is 30 so Colorado can draft Oskar Agren and groom him for the future.
    
    
    
    Oskar Agren is one of three finalists for the 2021 Hermann Trophy in Men's College Soccer, and the only draft eligible Hermann Trophy Finalist. This makes Agren stand out as one of the top center backs in the 2022 MLS Super Draft. Saint Louis striker Simon Becher who had 14 goals, 10 assists, and 34 points as a central forward with the Saint Louis Billikens is also an option here, but I went with Agren because he was a Hermann Trophy finalist.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 180 lb Oskar Agren helped Clemson record 10 shutouts at center back in 2019 as a true freshman starting in all 22 games. Agren helped Clemson win the ACC Championship over the number one ranked Pittsburgh Panthers in the Fall of 2020 . In fact Clemson was the top ranked team in the Spring during the 2020 College Cup which got pushed back to the Spring of 2021 due to Covid-19. Clemson lost to the eventual champion Marshall Thundering Herd in penalty kicks, but you can't fault Agren for that since he started 18 games increasing his career starts to 40.
    
    
    
    Oskar Agren helped Clemson record 10 more shutouts during his junior season at Clemson including a 2-0 shutout over Washington in the 2021 College Cup Championship Game. Agren had 5 goals, 3 assists, and 13 points in addition to helping Clemson record 10 shutouts in the Fall of 2021.
    
    
    
    Oskar Agren started all 23 games for Clemson in the Fall of 2021 giving him 63 career starts at center back in his three year career at Clemson. He can play the 4 at center back or the 5 as a sweeper. He can kick the ball further than last years fourth overall pick Ethan Bartlow while kicking it with accuracy. Since Agren graduated with his degree, he's eligible for the 2022 MLS Super Draft as a senior. Adding Agren would improve the depth of an already stacked Colorado Rapids backline drastically.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Sofiane Djeffal, M, Oregon State
    
    
    
    
11. CF Montreal: Patrick Schulte, G, Saint Louis
    
    
    CF Montreal is in the market for a goalie. Luckily for them, one of the two highly coveted Generation Adidas goalies drops to 11.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 200 lb Patrick Shulte had 8 shutouts as a freshman in 2019, 5 shutouts in the Spring of 2021, and 9 shutouts in the Fall of 2021 as a junior. Patrick Shulte is a natural 1 at goalie. He knows how to use his hands and feet.
    
    
    
    Florian Mague who was part of Culture Soccer described him as a goalie who makes sure to catch his balloons not to release them. You'll have to translate these tweets to English if you want to view them, but @FrenchCollegeSoccer is a must follow on Twitter if you like College Soccer. He did an outstanding job assisting me with the Theo Collomb and Valentin Noel interviews that I posted.
    
    
    
    Patrick Schulte played in the 2020 MLS College All Star Game as well as the 2021 MLS College Showcase. Schulte was part of a Saint Louis team that did not lose a single game in the regular season. Saint Louis got to the elite 8 and fell to Washington falling short of a 2021 College Cup Appearance.
    
    
    
    Patrick Schulte is taller than Roman Celentano. He played more minutes than Celentano. His 0.81 goals against average this Fall was lower than Roman Celentano. Unlike Roman, Patrick Schulte was in my 2021 MLS Mock Draft at one point. None of Patrick Schulte's shutouts came against bigger schools. I like Roman Celentano more, but Florian prefers Schulte. CF Montreal grabs Patrick Schulte with Roman Celentano off the board.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Justin Rasmussen, M, Grand Canyon
    
    
12. Columbus Crew: Charlie Ostrem, D, Washington
    
    
    The Columbus Crew do not have a left back on their roster. The 22-year-old Charlie Ostrem is the consensus top left back in the 2022 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 155 lb Charlie Ostrem is a natural 3 at the left back spot. He's also the youngest defenseman in the 2022 MLS Super Draft. Charlie Ostrem had 1 goal, 11 assists, and 13 points winning PAC 12 Defensive Player Of The Year in the Spring of 2021 as a junior. Charlie Ostrem had 2 goals, 9 assists, 13 points, and helped Washington record 12 shutouts in the Fall of 2021 as a senior.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Vitor Dias, M, Marshall
    
    
    
    
13. D.C. United: Giannis Nikopoldis, G, Georgetown
    
    
    D.C. United gets a goalie with their starter and backup goalies both over the age of 30. Their third goalie which has a supplemental roster spot is 28-years-old. The 6-2 178 lb Giannis Nikopoldis is only 20-years-old and turns 21 in December making him an ideal 1 at goalie. D.C. United has 3 International roster slot availables which they can use on Giannis Nikopoldis who won Big East goalie of the year in 2019 and during the Spring of 2021. Giannis Nikopoldis didn't win the award this year, but his presence at goalie is a huge reason why Georgetown has continued to contend each year after winning the 2019 College Cup.
    
    
    
14. FC Cincinnati: Vitor Dias, M, Marshall
    
    
    FC Cincinnati can draft Vitor Dias at 14 without using an International roster spot since there was a rumor from a Brazilian website that Vitor Dias like Celio Pompeu has a green card.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 160 lb Vitor Dias was a huge piece on Marshall's 2020 College Cup Championship team that won the entire thing this Spring. Vitor Dias had 6 goals, 7 assists, and 19 points in the Spring of 2021 during his championship season. Vitor Dias had 5 goals, 5 assists, and 15 points this Fall in 2021. Vitor Dias can play the 7 at right wing, the 8 at central midfielder, or the 10 at attacking midfielder. Right wing seems to be his best fit, but I"m not sure which role Columbus would use Vitor Dias in since they could put him at central midfielder or attacking midfielder as well as right winger.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Phillip Quinton, D, Notre Dame