Round 3

UNC Greensboro striker Theo Collomb was a top 5 player on my big board. Find out who go the biggest MLS Draft steal in quite some time in the third round.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: January 13, 2022.

57. Charlotte FC: George Marks, G, Clemson A Grade
    
    
    Charlotte FC gets a goalie here as they need one to groom behind Steve Clark. George Marks was the starting goalie on Clemson's College Cup Team that won it all. I actually have a late first round grade on George Marks.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 177 lb George Marks is the starting goalie on this years College Cup Champions, the Clemson Tigers. George Marks went 16-5-2 as a starter with 71 saves, a 0.82 goals against average, a .789 save percentage, while recording 8 shutouts for Clemson at goalie in the 10 shutouts Clemson got this season. Charlotte came away with three first round prospects on my board with Ben Bender, Kyle Holcolmb, and George Marks with their three draft picks. This makes Charlotte FC the biggest winner of the 2022 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
58. FC Cincinnati: Passed F Grade
    
    
    FC Cincinnati could have drafted Diogo Pacheco and stashed him in USL or MLS Next here. Diogo Pacheco played for Akron in the state of Ohio and went undrafted just like Marshall's Pedro Dollabella. Pacheco was the only player outside of Dollabella with a first round grade to go undrafted because MLS teams have the right to pass on a draft pick.
    
    
    
    Two domestic players that were available were Virginia Tech striker Jacob Labovitz and New Hampshire center back Bridger Hansen. Even if FC Cincinnati wanted a domestic player like Hansen who would have filled a need at center back instead of an International one like Pacheco, the organization still had zero reason to pass on this pick.
    
    
    
    FC Cincinnati fans will say that Chris Albright passed on third round picks all the time when he was with the Philadelphia Union. That may be true, but I still can't stand it when teams pass on draft picks.
    
    
    
    
    
59. Toronto F.C.: Reshaun Walkes, F, Texas Rio Grande Valley B Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 167 lb Reshaun Walkes had 9 goals, 7 assists, and 25 points in the Fall of 2021. Walkes was born in Ontario meaning Toronto can draft him without using an International roster slot.
    
    
    
60. Los Angeles Galaxy: Chandler Vaughn, D, Saint Louis A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 147 lb Chandler Vaughn is a former Pitt Panthers left back that transferred to Saint Louis by choice He's someone the Los Angeles Galaxy could take a god hard look at to see if there is a fit here.
    
    
    
    Los Angeles only has one left back on their roster and that's if Josh Drack their 2021 first round pick finally gets called up after spending his rookie year on LA Galaxy II in the USL. Chandler Vaughn would make an awesome backup to Drack giving the Los Angeles Galaxy depth at left back. If Drack is injured, Vaughn is capable of starting in his place.
    
    
    
    
    
61. Austin FC: Michael Knapp, M, Montclair State C Grade
    
    
    Michael Knapp played began his NCAA career at Montclair State. He played for New York Red Bulls II in the USL leading up to the 2022 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
62. F.C. Dallas: Alec Smir, G, North Carolina A- Grade
    
    
    Alec Smir was my sixth best goalie in the 2022 MLS Super Draft. Three of the goalies I had ranked ahead of Smir got drafted with the other two goalies still on the board being International players. F.C. Dallas needed a goalie and didn't really want to use an International roster slot on a goalie.
    
    
    
    There are a lot of mock drafts that had Alec Smir going higher than this. This is an appropriate spot for Alec Smir to fall to after watching him struggle in person against Pittsburgh.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 190 lb Alec Smir led the ACC with 10 shutouts at goalie in his junior season playing both the Fall in 2020 and the Spring in 2021. Alec Smir matched that total in the Fall of 2021 showing he could be a reliable 1 at goalie. His game film when I saw him person against Pittsburgh was awful as Smir gave up 4 goals against Pittsburgh. Smir also gave up 4 goals to New Hampshire in North Carolina's tournament loss to New Hampshire during the 2021 Men's College Cup.
    
    
    
    
    
63. Chicago Fire F.C.: Carlo Ritaccio, D, Akron A Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 172 lb Carlo Ritaccio has had three strong seasons with Akron making him a natural 4 at center back. Ritaccio got named freshman of the year in 2018 when Akron got to the Championship game only to lose to Maryland. He did well enough in 2019 to earn an invite to the MLS College Showcase event as a sophomore. He played in the 2020 MLS Combine All Star game because Akron's Fall season got cancelled due to Covid-19 before Ritaccio made up for that in the Spring of 2021. Carlo Ritaccio has played in 11 games, but only started 5 this year. I'm not sure if he got injured or benched, but that's part of the reason why Carlo Ritaccio dropped from a first round prospect to a third round prospect. Chicago Fire F.C. could use a domestic player like Carlo Ritaccio for depth here.
    
    
    
64. San Jose Earthquakes: John Martin, M, Clemson A Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 155 lb John Martin played the 6 at defensive midfielder at Clemson coming off of the bench playing 12 games, but only starting in 4 of those contests. Martin may end up converting to a 2 at right back or a 3 at left back in the MLS though. John Martin helped Clemson record 10 shutouts as the Clemson's backup defensive midfielder.
    
    
    
    
    
65. Inter Miami C.F.: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Inter Miami C.F. could have ended up drafting the best player on the board Gabriel Costa assuming Colorado drafts Pedro Dollabella and FC Cincinnati takes Diogo Pacheco with the picks they passed on. Inter Miami C.F. also could have drafted a domestic player like Virginia Tech striker Jacob Labovitz had FC Cincinnati drafted Bridger Hansen as a domestic player with their third round pick. There was talent on the board, but Inter Miami C.F. opted not to draft anyone.
    
    
    
66. F.C. Dallas: Chase Niece, D, Saint Louis A+ Grade
    
    
    F.C. Dallas drafts a center back in the third round. Chase Niece out of Saint Louis is a solid center back who played with Kipp Keller on the back line at Saint Louis. Niece also has more experience on the back line at center back than Keller so he's someone who would be a good value pick for F.C. Dallas.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Chase Niece had 2 goals, 4 points, and helped Saint Louis record 8 shutouts. Drafting Chase Niece solves any back line woes that the F.C. Dallas may have.
    
    
    
    
    
67. CF Montreal: Ivy Brisma, M, North Carolina State C Grade
    
    
    Ivy Brisma gives CF Montreal a right winger for depth. He played more games than he stared so he probably won't be anything more than a backup on CF Montreal. I was going to put Brisma in my final MLS Mock before taking him out due to a lack of games started. This pick still provides solid value for CF Montreal in the third round though.
    
    
    
68. Columbus Crew: Chris Donovan, F, Drexel A Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 160 lb Chris Donovan has been an impact player with the Drexel Dragons ever since he stepped on campus. Chris Donovan had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 9 points as true freshman in 2018. Chris Donovan had 7 goals, 2 assists, and 16 points as a sophomore in 2019. Chris Donovan had 8 goals, 6 assists, and 22 points as a junior in the Spring of 2021. Chris Donovan had 12 goals, 2 assists, and 26 points as a senior in the Fall of 2021. The Columbus Crew adds Chris Donovan as a 9 for depth at striker.
    
    
    
    
    
69. D.C. United: Skage Simonsen, M, SMU C- Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 195 lb Skage Simonsen gets drafted here by a team that had an International roster slot available. Skage Simonsen is a better fit at central midfielder than Gabriel Costa, but this doesn't change the fact that Gabriel Costa was the best available SMU draft prospect on the board.
    
    
    
    Skage Simonsen only had 4 goals, 3 assists, and 11 points in the Fall of 2021. He's old for an MLS prospect like 24 and will turn 25 during his rookie season. D.C. United deserves some credit for doubling up with two central midfielders for the future. However, had they drafted Gabriel Costa here this is probably an A+ grade for D.C. United.
    
    
    
70. Los Angeles Galaxy: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Los Angeles Galaxy could have taken Pedro Dollabella out of Marshall, Diogo Pacheco out of Akron, Gabriel Costa out of SMU, or Frank Daromah the Cal State San Bernadino midfielder that played with the Las Vegas Lights in the USL. The Los Angeles Galaxy only had 1 goalie on their roster. Two goalies in my top 60 went undrafted in Kentucky goalie Jan Hoffelner out of Kentucky an International goalie and Duke goalie Eliot Hamil who would have been a domestic goalie.
    
    
    
    If the Galaxy had drafted just one of those players I mentioned, they finish with the third best grade among teams in the 2022 MLS Super Draft. Charlotte FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and the San Jose Earthquakes were my top 3 winners from this Super Draft with the Los Angeles Galaxy finishing fourth out of twenty eight teams because they passed on this pick.
    
    
    
    Right after the Galaxy passed on this pick, two top 20 players on my big board Giannis Nikopoldis and Theo Collomb were selected which really adds insult to injury if your a College Soccer and Los Angeles Galaxy fan like myself. Taking Pittsburgh right back Jasper Loeffelsend would have been a smart decision too since Loeffelsend had a first round grade for most of the draft process. All the Galaxy had to do was draft one of the eight players I mentioned and they end up finishing third potentially even second behind Charlotte FC had they taken Theo Collomb with their final pick.
    
    
    
    That didn't happen and the Galaxy blew a golden opportunity by passing on their final selection. I'm happy with Farai Mutatu, Callum Johnson, and Chandler Vaughn. However taking Theo Collomb, Giannis Nikopolis, or Jasper Loeffelsend with only one goalie on the roster would have made the Los Angeles Galaxy's 2022 MLS Super Draft stand out in a big way. The Galaxy still had a top 5 draft, but they blew a huge opportunity to end up with a top 3 draft. This is a draft that can get them to the Western Conference Finals if both picks pan out, but it's not a draft that will get them to an MLS Cup.
    
    
    
    
    
71. New York Red Bulls: Giannis Nikopoldis, G, Georgetown A+ Grade
    
    
    The New York Red Bulls got one of the bigger steals in the 2022 MLS Super Draft. 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. The New York Red Bulls needed youth and depth at goalie which is why I respect their decision to draft 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. Georgetown finished in the top 8 of the College Cup in each of Giannis Nikopoldis's final three seasons as a starting goalie on Georgetown.
    
    
    
72. Vancouver Whitecaps: Theo Collomb, F, UNC Greensboro A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 172 lb Theo Collomb led UNC Greensboro with 8 goals as a freshman in the Spring of 2021 winning SoCol freshman of the year. Head coach Chris Rich described Collomb as an incredibly versatile forward that can play anywhere on the front 3 capable of playing the 7 at right winger, the 9 striker as a central forward, or the 11 at left winger. Theo Collomb had 15 goals, 5 assists, and 35 points in the Fall of 2021 which led to him winning SoCol Player Of The Year as a sophomore. His statement game came against number two ranked Clemson the eventual National Champions in Mens College Soccer where Theo Collomb led UNC Greensboro to an upset win over Clemson.
    
    
    
    Theo Collomb has the soccer IQ to anchor an offense. He plays aggresive too. He's a natural goal scorer than can take control of a game. He has great speed and athleticism for a striker.
    
    
    
    UNC Greensboro missed the 2021 College Cup after Belmont upset them in the SoCon Conference Tournament Semifinals for Mens College Soccer. UNC Greensboro was the highest seed team in their conference prior to the loss to Belmont.
    
    
    
    Theo Collomb will be in the 2022 MLS Super Draft as a senior. Theo Collomb is ranked as high as second overall on my final 2022 MLS Big Board despite being a senior. Theo fell a lot further than I expected him to, but I'm just happy someone drafted Theo becasue this is a player who had special traits on tape. There have been really talented MLS players who I interviewed in the past that went undrafted over the years such as Pfeiffer striker Nate Regis 2017 and Florida Gulf Coast striker Albert Ruiz in 2018 who ranked 23rd out of 24 first round prospects on my final 2018 MLS Big Board. Rodney Michael was ranked in the top 15 on my final 2021 MLS Draft Big Board out of UC Santa Barabara and he went undrafted too.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of North Carolina Greensboro forward Theo Collomb versus Belmont Abbey. I've also added thumbnails to my videos for 2022 MLS Draft prospects. I'm hoping to add more of these thumbnails to my Youtube videos in other sports for film cuts to get viewership up.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Also, I got Theo Collomb up on Talkshoe. Also, I got the episode up on Anchor so you can listen to it while reading this mock draft.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
73. New York Red Bulls: Seth Kuhn, M, Penn State C Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 157 lb Seth Kuhn had 5 goals, 8 assists, and 18 points in the Fall of 2021. I'm not sure if Kuhn will be a central midfielder or a winger in the MLS. This is still a solid addition by the New York Red Bulls with their final pick.
    
    
    
74. Orlando City S.C.: Nick Taylor, M, Central Florida B Gade
    
    
    The 5-10 153 lb Nick Taylor is a good addition to Orlando City S.C. Nick Taylor had 3 goals, 9 assists, and 15 points in the Fall of 2021. I'm not sure if he'll project as s central midfielder or a winger in the MLS though.
    
    
    
    
    
75. Atlanta United F.C.: Danny Bloyou, F, Penn State B- Grade
    
    
    The 5-8 156 lb Danny Bloyou led Penn State with 8 goals in the Spring. Danny Bloyou only had 4 goals, 7 assists, and 15 points Atlanta United F.C. needs a left winger for depth so they grab Danny Bloyou with this third round selection.
    
    
    
76. Seattle Sounders: Hal Uderitz, M, Seattle A Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Hal Uderitz had 5 goals, 2 assists, and 12 points in the Fall of 2021. The Communications major has the skill set to play the 6 at defensive midfielder or the 8 at central midfielder in the MLS. I trust the Sounders scouting department with local players so this is a great pick.
    
    
    
    
    
77. Nashville S.C.: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Nashville S.C. could have taken Pedro Dollabella out of Marshall, Diogo Pacheco out of Akron, Gabriel Costa out of SMU, Frank Daromah the Cal State San Bernadino midfielder that played with the Las Vegas Lights in the USL, or Matt Chandler the St. John's center back. Nashville S.C. also could have addressed a need a right back by taking Jasper Loffelsend to replace Dylan Nealis. Nashville S.C. gets an F grade for passing on this pick.
    
    
    
78. Sporting Kansas City: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Sporting Kansas City could have taken Pedro Dollabella out of Marshall, Diogo Pacheco out of Akron, Gabriel Costa out of SMU, Frank Daromah the Cal State San Bernadino midfielder that played with the Las Vegas Lights in the USL, Matt Chandler the St. John's center back, or Jacob Labovitz the Virginia Tech striker. Sporting Kansas City also could have addressed a need a right back by taking Jasper Loffelsend to replace the right back they traded to Charlotte FC for Allocation Money. Sporting Kansas City gets an F grade for passing on this pick.
    
    
    
    
    
79. Colorado Rapids: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Since Colorado passed on their second round pick, they did not get to pick here in the third round. When you pass on your pick you pass on all picks in subsequent rounds.
    
    
    
80. New England Revoultion: Passed F Grade
    
    
    New England lost two right wingers didn't add any in Free Agency and they passed on this pick after taking a goalie for depth in the first round and a left back for depth in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
81. Real Salt Lake: Jasper Loeffelsend, D, Pittsburgh A+ Grade
    
    
    Real Salt Lake already has Aaron Herreria a homegrown prospect from New Mexico and Brett Halsey their 2021 first round pick as the top two right backs on this roster. They still deserve a lot of credit for getting an excellent value pick with Jasper Loffelsend late in the third round.
    
    
    
    Now I'm going to tell you a hillarious story involving a Real Salt Lake and Columbus Crew scout at a Pitt soccer game this fall. I saw a Real Salt Lake scout with a stopwatch wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers hat. The Crew scout told him to take that shit off as Real Salt Lake and Columbus Crew's scouts were about as angry as two soccer dads. That being said Real Salt Lake can wear whatever they want to Pitt games as long as its not offensive after drafting Jasper Loffelsend this late in the third round.
    
    
    
    The 5-5 160 lb Jasper Loeffelsend could have been a first round pick in the 2021 MLS Super Draft, but he chose to come back. The Pittsburgh Panthers right back at the 2 has showed versatility to play center back at the 4, and right wing at the 7 on offense. He's older than most players in the 2022 MLS Super Draft at 24-years-old, but you can argue he's a top 40 player in this draft despite his age. The only reason he slipped this far was due to the late additions of Generation Adidas prospects along with teams needing domestic players born in the United States or Canada rather than International players. Real Salt Lake had 3 International roster slots available, so if they sent their scout to three different Pitt soccer games there's no reason not take Jasper.
    
    
    
    Jasper Loeffelsend had 9 assists as a junior. He chose to return to Pitt for the Spring of 2021 and the Fall of 2021 rather than enter the 2021 MLS Super Draft despite having a late first round grade. Jasper Loeffelsend had 2 goals, 9 assists, 13 points, and helped Pittsburgh record 6 shutouts in the Fall of 2021. He's a fan favorite for the Pittsburgh Panthers Men's Soccer Team as well as a high character guy.
    
    
    
    Jasper Loeffelsend should have gone a lot earlier than this and you can certainly make a case for him in the first round. With all the talent in this years class it doesn't surprise me if Loeffelsend fell to Real Salt Lake at the end of the third round though.
    
    
    
82. Philadelphia Union: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Philadelphia doesn't draft players anymore unless they have a top pick. Philadelphia now prefers to build their team through players with Allocation Money and their Academy unless their in position to add a Generation Adidas prospect.
    
    
    
    
    
83. Portland Timbers: Sivert Haugli, D, Virginia Tech A+ Grade
    
    
    Portland wraps up their draft with a guy I had a second round grade on. Sivert Haugli is one of the best players in College Soccer.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 200 lb Sivert Haugli is the captain of the Virginia Tech Hokies Men's Soccer Team. He's played center back as well as defensive midfielder for Virginia Tech. His father also played center back and Sivert Haugli is a guy I've been pretty high on for most of the season. Haugli made things difficult for the Pittsburgh Panthers in both the regular season before his red card and the ACC Tournament.
    
    
    
    Sivert Haugli had 3 goals, 1 assist, 7 points, and has helped Virginia Tech record 5 shutouts in the Fall of 2021 with 3 coming against non ACC teams and the other two coming against Boston College in the regular season along with the ACC Tournament. Haugli is a natural 4 at center back with the skill set to also play the 5 as a center back that's a sweeper, plus a 6 that plays defensive midfielder. Sivert Haugli is the best center back that wasn't invited to the 2021 MLS College Showcase in my opinion, so this pick is a huge steal for the Portland Timbers in the late third round.
    
    
    
84. New York City F.C.: El Mahdi Youssoufi, F, St. Francis Brooklyn A Grade
    
    
    The 5-8 160 lb striker on St. Francis Brooklyn had 13 goals, 2 assists, and 28 points in the Fall of 2021. El Mahdi Youssoufi played the 9 at St. Francis Brooklyn. He should play that role in the MLS, but it's also possible he moves to the 7 at right winger or 11 at left winger due to his size. While this was a surprise pick, it was a good pick for New York City F.C. to find a local player that may end up being an MLS draft gem.
    
    
    

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