2024 MLS Mock Draft: Final Mock 3 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 16-29

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: December 19, 2023.

16. Real Salt Lake: Jason Shokalook, F, Akron
    
    
    Real Salt Lake runs a 3-5-2 formation in the regular season before transitioning to a 4-4-2 formation during the 2023 MLS Playoffs. Real Salt Lake traded their striker Sergio Cordova to the Vancouver Whitecaps for this pick. Real Salt Lake has all 8 International roster slots and all 3 Under 22 International slots occupied.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 161 lb Jason Shokalook redshirted in 2020 during the Covid-19 year despite playing in the Spring of 2021 and saw limited action with 4 goals, 4 assists, and 12 points in the Fall of 2021. Jason Shokalook had 7 goals, 5 assists, and 19 points as a sophomore redshirt as a first year full-time starter in 2022. Jason Shokalook had 14 goals, 5 assists, and 33 points as a junior redshirt in 2023. Jason Shokalook can declare for the 2024 MLS Super Draft as an underclassman, but he might count as a senior too since Alex Meinhard was a junior redshirt prior to the 2023 MLS Super Draft before transferring from Tulsa to Clemson. Jason Shokalook can play the 9 at striker as well as the 11 at left winger.
    
    
    
    Jason Shokalook is the thirteenth underclassmen to get picked in the first round of my 2024 MLS Mock Draft. Real Salt Lake can use whatever draft capital they have left on an International player to stash in MLS Next after taking Jason Shokalook.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jonathan Robinson, D, Western Michigan
    
    
17. Nashville S.C.: Ryan Carmichael, F, Hofstra
    
    
    Nashville S.C. runs a 4-4-2 formation with four defensemen, four midfielders, and 2 forwards with a striker and secondary striker up front with only 4 of the 8 International roster slots occupied. Nashville S.C. has a strong back line on defense and great goaltending with Walker Zimmerman and Joey Maher at center back. Joey Skinner should be the full-time starter at left back in 2024. Joe Willis and Elliott Panicco as your top two goalies. Hany Mukhtar can play the 9 at striker or the 10 at attacking midfielder. Mukhtar plays the 10 when Nashville S.C. deploys 1 forward and plays striker when Nashville S.C. deploys 2 forwards. Getting a second striker to take pressure off Mukhtar is the biggest need. Adding midifelders at left winger, central midfielder, and right winger to maximimze this teams potential while keeping the backline in tact has to be next order of business for Nashville S.C.
    
    
    
    Nashville S.C. against Orlando City S.C. was a really tough series to pick. Both teams recorded double digit shutouts in 2023 with Nashville S.C. recording 13 shutouts and Orlando City S.C. recording 11 shutouts during the regular season. Orlando City S.C. has a greater variety of scorers and ultimately that will probably be the difference in my opinion.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 160 lb Ryan Carmichael is a four year starting forward at Hofstra whose hometown is Ireland. He will require an International roster slot, but that is something Nashville S.C. has.
    
    
    
    Ryan Carmichael had 4 goals, 0 assists, and 8 points in 10 starts as a freshman in the Spring of 2021. Ryan Carmichael had 15 goals, 9 assists, and 39 points in 22 starts in the Fall of 2021 as a sophomore. Ryan Carmichael had 10 goals, 4 assists, and 24 points as a junior in 2022. Ryan Carmichael had 17 goals, 5 assists, and 39 points as a senior in 2023.
    
    
    
    Ryan Carmichael plays the 9 at striker. He also is willing to try to win the kickoff in addition to scoring with his kicking power and kicking accuracy. Ryan Carmichael plays the right forward role in Hofstra's 4-4-2. Hany Mukhtar plays the left forward role in Nashville S.C.'s 4-4-2, but there could be an upgrade at the right forward role which makes Ryan Carmichael a perfect scheme fit for Nashville S.C. here at 17.
    
    
    
    
    
18. Real Salt Lake: Jeorgio Kocevski, M, Syracuse
    
    
    The 6-1 175 lb Jeorgio Kocevski had 5 goals, 4 assists, and 14 points as a junior Syracuse helping Syracuse win the 2022 College Cup. Jeorgio Kocevski had 1 goal, 12 assists, and 14 points as an attacking midfielder at the 10 with Syracuse as a senior with Syracuse in 2023. Real Salt Lake has a good core of guys on their backline. This means upgrading at forward by getting someone who can get 10 goals or upgrading at midfielder by getting someone who can generate 10 assists are the two best options for Real Salt Lake at 18. There are quality strikers in this draft, but Jeorgio Kocevski was 2023 ACC Co-Midfielder Of The Year along with Virginia midfielder Mouhameth Thiam who used to play at Oregon State. Kocevski is a domestic born soccer player while Thiam will require an International roster slot.
    
    
    
    Jeorgio Kocevski can play the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 8 at central midfielder, or the 10 at attacking midfielder. Kocevksi has great leadership traits and is a team captain with Syracuse in 2023 after being part of a Syracuse team that won the 2022 College Cup as the one returning starter with a first round grade.
    
    
    
    I gave Real Salt Lake the goal-scoring striker Jason Shookalook at 16 and the playmaker midfielder Jeorgio Kocevski at 18. Those two players help Real Salt Lake a lot more than you realize.
    
    
    
19. Atlanta United F.C.: Fletcher Bank, M, Stanford
    
    
    Atlanta United F.C. ran a 4-3-3 formation in the regular season and a 4-2-3-1 formation in the 2023 MLS Playoffs before losing to Columbus. Atlanta United F.C. can go best player on the board since Atlanta United F.C. has quality starters as well good Academy players like 2023 ACC Defenseman Of The Year Garrison Tubbs who gives you depth behind Luis Vera and Miles Robinson if both center backs stay. Caleb Wiley looks like a stub at left back as the homegrown player is only 18. Brooks Lennon is under contract at right back for two more years. Atlanta has used all 8 of their International roster slots for 2024 at the present moment. If Miles Robinson leaves in Free Agency, you can just reload with Garrison Tubbs. Atlanta United F.C. has their defensive midfielder under contract until 2026 while their attacking midfielder and striker are back. Left winger is a pretty strong area too while Atlanta seems happy with their goalie depth. Atlanta United F.C.'s lone need where they may need an upgrade currently lies at right winger.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Fletcher Bank is a true sophomore for Stanford that plays the 7 at right winger which is a position of need for Atlanta United F.C. Fletcher Bank had 2 goals, 8 assists, and 12 points for Stanford in 2023.
    
    
    
    Fletcher Bank and his twin brother Palmer Bank are considered the best twins in College Soccer. Fletcher Bank is the fourteenth underclassmen in to get picked in my 2024 MLS Mock Draft after mocking him to Atlanta United F.C. at 19. I also got Palmer Bank, Stanford's left back in 2023 going in the late first round, so keep reading to find out where Palmer Bank ends up.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Luis Flores, F, Oral Roberts
    
    
    
    
20. New England Revoultion: Alec Hughes, F, Massachusetts
    
    
    New England runs a 4-2-3-1 formation. New England has every starter returning except their striker at the 9 as Gustavo Bou is out of a contract after posting 44 goals, 20 assists, and 64 points in 100 regular season games. Hiring a quality head coach after Bruce Arena got fired has to be priority number one for New England in the offseason. It sounds like Caleb Porter will be the man for New England.
    
    
    
    New England is loaded on the back line with Matt Polster at defensive midfielder, DeJuan Jones at left back, Dave Romney at center back, Andrew Farrell at center back, Henry Kessler at center back, and Brandon Bye at right back. Carles Gill is quite effective at attacking midfielder. The wingers are solid. Replacing Gustavo Bou is the lone short-term need.
    
    
    
    The big question is do you go with an underclassmen striker with a high ceiling like Palmer Ault. Do you take a guy who dominated the MLS College Showcase like Portland striker Jacob Babali or do you take a local who Atlantic 10 Player of the year two years in a row like Alec Hughes. I feel like New England may lean towards the local here since New England has everything else to win now besides a striker including a head coach who helps you win now in Caleb Porter.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 170 lb Alec Hughes had 10 goals, 2 assists, and 22 points winning Co-Atlantic 10 Player Of The Year for Massachusetts as a junior in 2022. Alec Hughes had 15 goals, 1 assist, 31 points, and took 73 shots with 37 of those shots being shots on gaol as a senior for the Massachusetts Minutemen winning Atlantic 10 Player Of The Year for Massachusetts as a senior for the second year in a row in 2023.
    
    
    
    Alec Hughes is a natural 9 at striker. He can come up to help New England right out of the gate here.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mads Westergren, D, SMU
    
    
21. Colorado Rapids: Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, M, Washington
    
    
    Colorado got two studs to fix their defense and offense. Colorado took the only first round goalie off the board at 12. Midfielder isn't a big need since the Rapids central midfielder has 8 assists while their attacking midfielder at the 10 had 7 goals. However there is a defensive midfielder that Colorado could target here, whose a consensus first round prospect whose played over 110 minutes in a tournament game.
    
    
    
    The 5-7 150 lb Kalani Kossa-Rienzi has the versatility to play the 3 at right back, the 6 at defensive midfielder, and the 8 at central midfielder. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi is a four year starter that is listed as a junior redshirt. Some have Kalani Kossa-Rienzi going in the first round of the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    Kalani Kossa-Rienzi had 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, and helped Washington record 8 shutouts as a true freshman in the Spring of 2021. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi had 2 goals, 3 assists, 7 points, and helped Washington record 11 shutouts while helping Washington make the Championship of the 2021 College Cup as a freshman redshirt in the Fall of 2021. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi had 3 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, and helped Washington go undefeated during the regular season as a sophomore redshirt in 2022. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi had 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points, and helped Washington record 3 shutouts as a junior redshirt in 2023.
    
    
    
    Kalani Kossa-Rienzi did well at the 2023 MLS College Showcase despite a less than stellar 2023 season at Washington. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi is too talented to slip out of the top 40 even if his 2023 season at Washington causes him to slip out of the first round after entering the 2022 Preseason as a candidate to go in the top 5 of the 2023 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    Kalani Kossa-Rienzi was the fifteenth underclassmen to get picked in my 2024 MLS Mock Draft. There's a chance he ends up in the top half first round since College Soccer News listed Kalani Kossa-Rienzi as one of their four best overall players in the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Sam Gomez, G, SIU Edwardsville
    
    
    
    
22. Sporting Kansas City: Tucker Lepley, M, UCLA
    
    
    Sporting Kansas City has stability at forward, winger, and goalie with Pulido at striker and Thommy at right winger as core players who recorded double digit goals and assists in 2023. Improving the attacking midfielder play and depth back line after only recording 8 shutouts in 2023 is going to be the key for Sporting Kansas City this offseason.
    
    
    
    The 5-6 135 lb Tucker Lepley had 5 goals, 7 assists, and 17 points playing the 11 at left winger as a freshman redshirt in 2021. Tucker Lepley had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 7 points befor a season ending injury as a sophomore redshirt in 2022. Tucker Lepley had 3 goals, 2 assists, and 8 points in 18 starts after transitioning from the 11 at left winger to the 10 at attacking midfielder as a junior redshirt in 2023.
    
    
    
    Tucker Lepley would be the sixteenth underclassmen picked in my 2024 MLS Mock Draft. Tucker Lepley also did well at the 2023 MLS College Showcase and the former Sporting Kansas City Academy player could be Sporting Kansas City's first round pick in the 2024 MLS Super Draft. I got Sporting Kansas City drafting Tucker Lepley as an attacking midfielder.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Morris Duggan, D, Marshall
    
    
23. Seattle Sounders: Jefferson Amaya, M, High Point
    
    
    Seattle has a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Seattle Sounders goes for youth at attacking midfielder by adding depth behind Albert Rusnak at the 10 at attacking midfielder.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 170 lb Jefferson Amaya played for Charlotte Independence in the USL as well as High Point in the NCAA during his last two seasons playing the 8 at central midfielder. Jefferson Amaya had 5 goals, 4 assists, 14 points, recorded 21 shots, 9 shots on goal, 3 game-winning goals, went 1/1 on penaly kicks, played 798 and helped High Point record 8 shutouts in 10 starts as a true freshman in 2022. Jefferson Amaya had 5 goals, 6 assists, 16 points, heped recorded 37 shots, 21 shots on goal, 2 game-winning goals, went 2/2 on penalty kicks, played 1,510 minutes, and helped High Point record 7 shutouts as a sophomore in 2023. Jefferson Amaya continued to play at a high level even after losing goalie Holden Trent, the Philadelphia Union's 2023 first round pick in the 2023 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    Jefferson Amaya was a player my friend Florian told me about prior to Amaya enrolling on campus as a true freshman. One person told me that Amaya is gonna be High Point's first athlete to ever receive a Generation Adidas offer. Whether that rumor turns out to be true or not remains to be seen, but I'm buying the hype after Jefferson Amaya helped High Point win back-to-back Big South Conference Championships in his two years at High Point. Taking the 20-year-old midfielder seems like a solid move for the Seattle Sounders here.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Antino Lopez, D, Duke
    
    
    
    
24. Inter Miami C.F.: Wyatt Miller, D, California
    
    
    Inter Miami C.F. got this pick from Philadelphia for Damion Lowe. Wyatt Meyers would be a good center back to take here after a strong showing at the 2024 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 175 lb Wyatt Meyer is a 22-year-old center back on California who can play the 4 at sweeper, the 5 at center back, or the 6 at defensive midfielder. The only difference between him and Indiana's Hugo Bacharach is that Miller doesn't require an International roster slot. Wyatt Meyer had 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points, and helped California record 4 shutouts in 2023. Wyatt Meyer also won the 2023 PAC 12 Defensive Player Of The Year Award.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Paddy Burns, D, Notre Dame
    
    
25. Orlando City S.C.: Jonathan Robinson, D, Western Michigan
    
    
    Orlando City S.C. runs a 4-2-3-1 formation. Orlando City S.C. drafts a left back for depth here.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 155 lb Jonathan Robinson had 2 goals, 5 assists, 9 points, 25 shots, helped Western Michgan record 11 shutouts playing the 2 at left back, and played 1,874 minutes in 21 starts as a sophomore redshirt helping Western Michigan win the MAC Championship in 2022 after transferring to Western Michigan from Marquette after hardly being utilized at Marquette. Jonathan Robinson had 1 goal, 13 assists, 15 points, 36 shots, helped Western Michigan record 12 shutouts playing the 2 at left back without star goalie Hunter Morse a 2023 second round pick, and has played 1,893 minutes in 22 starts as a junior redshirt at Western Michigan helping Western Michigan defeat two time Missouri Valley Conference Champion Missouri State in the 2023 MissourI Valley Championship.
    
    
    
    The results and consistency are there with Jonathan Robinson in terms of defending and leading his college to back-to-back conference championships in two different conferences which is why he is now a first round left back at the 2 in the 2024 MLS Super Draft as Robinson has played 3,761 minutes over the last two years at Western Michigan. This junior redshirt would be my eighteenth best underclassmen and is my top left back as well as my top fullback in the 2024 MLS Super Draft despite not being at the 2023 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tommy Silva, D, UCLA
    
    
    
    
26. Houston Dynamo F.C.: Brandon Parrish, M, Clemson
    
    
    Houston Dynamo F.C. runs a 4-2-3-1 formation. Houston Dynamo F.C.'s biggest need is at central midfielder. Houston drafts the engine that could when it comes the Dynamo on the Clemson Tigers offense this season.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Brandon Parrish had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 7 points in 2022. Brandon Parrish had 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 points, and has helped Clemson record 9 shutouts as a starter in 18 starts in 2023.
    
    
    
    Brandon Parrish can play the 6 at defensive midfielder or the 8 at central midfielder. Parrish is a better fit at the 8 as a box-to-box midfielder, but does possess the stamina engine to play the 6 at defensive midfielder if needed. Houston Dynamo could use the team captain of the Clemson Tigers soccer team as a complimentary piece to some of their other first round picks like Ethan Barlow at center back and Thor Ulfarsson at striker.
    
    
    
27. FC Cincinnati: Timothy Arias, D, Central Florida
    
    
    FC Cincinnati runs a 3-4-1-2 formation. FC Cincinnati can go with the best player on their board. With Alvas Powell and Raymond Gaddis as the two right backs on this roster, right back depth is needed even if Powell returns. If Powell leaves along with Gaddis, a day 1 starter at right back will be needed.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 180 lb Timothy Arias is a 19-year-old jack of all trades player on the right side of the pitch from Costa Rica. Timothy Arias is versatile enough to play the 3 at right back, the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 7 at right winger, and the 8 at central midfielder.
    
    
    
    Timothy Arias only started 3 games while playing in 9 as a true freshman. Timothy Arias had 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, helped Central Florida produce 3 shutouts, and Arias started 11 games where he started 90 or more minutes as a sophomore at Central Florida in 2023. Timothy Arias has the youth, longetivity. and stamina that MLS teams will covet from the 3 at the right back position.
    
    
    
    Timothy Arias is my nineteenth underclassmen in my 2024 MLS Mock Draft. Timothy Arias is a player that could sneak into the late first round. A domestic right back like Kevin Bonilla could also be an option, but he's 22-years-old while Timothy Arias is 19. Also, FC Cincinnati has a few International roster slots and can gamble on Arias and his long-term upside if both right backs are available at 27.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Alec Hughes, F, Massachusetts
    
    
    
    
28. LAFC: Femi Awodesu, D, Penn State
    
    
    LAFC runs a 4-3-3 formation and has used 5 of their 8 International roster slots while the 3 Under-22 International roster spots are all occupied. LAFC has two goalies that are Free Agents after this season. LAFC needs help at center back, goalie, left winger, and maybe right winger, or striker too if Carlos Vela leaves.
    
    
    
    LAFC lost one of their starting center backs from their team that won the 2022 MLS Cup to F.C. Dallas in Free Agency prior to the 2023 MLS Season. The other center back retired after LAFC lost the 2023 MLS Cup to the Columbus Crew.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 175 lb Femi Awodesu had 3 goals, 0 assists, 6 points, and helped Penn State record 8 shutouts in 2023. Femi Awodesu has the versatility to play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back. Femi Awodesu won the 2023 Big 10 Defensive Player Of The Year Award.
    
    
    
    I watched three Penn State soccer games this year. Those games were against Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Indiana in the 2023 Big 10 Championship. Honestly, I was more impresed with Kris Shakes at goalie than Femi Awodesu at center back. The thing is Femi Awodesu was the 2023 Big 10 Defensive Player of the year and carrying such a distinction could get Femi Awodesu drafted in the first round. I like Marshall defender Morris Duggan more than Femi Awodesu, but Femi Awodesu is a consensus first round prospect in most of the 2024 MLS Mock Drafts.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Bryan Dowd, G, Notre Dame
    
    
29. Columbus Crew: Palmer Bank, D, Stanford
    
    
    The Columbus Crew run a 3-4-2-1 formation. Cucho at striker, Aidan Morris at midfielder, Darlington Nagbe at midfielder, Rudy Camacho at center back, and Patrick Schulte at goalie are the core pieces to this team. Columbus acquired Camacho at the 2023 MLS Trade Deadline from CF Montreal in exchange for $400,000 in allocation money. The Columbus Crew became the first MLS team since the 2011 Los Angeles Galaxy to retain all 11 starters after winning the 2023 MLS Cup. The 2011 Los Angeles Galaxy repeated as MLS Cup Champions in 2012.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 185 lb Palmer Bank had 0 goals, 5 assists, 5 points, and helped Stanford get 6 shutouts playing the 2 at left back as a freshman redshirt in 2023. One of those shutouts came against the number one overall seed Marshall Thundering Herd in the 2023 College Cup.
    
    
    
    Palmer Bank is the twin brother Fletcher Bank. Palmer Bank is one of two freshman redshirt in the 2024 MLS Super Draft among the 391 draft eligble players. The 19-year-old Palmer Bank is my twentieth underclassmen in the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    I considered Notre Dame left back Paddy Burns here. Palmer Bank is just younger and may have more longetivity and upside which is something Columbus can gamble on with Palmer Bank being only 19 or 20 compared to Burns whose 22.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Michael Peck, D, Missouri State