2024 MLS Mock Draft: Final Mock 3 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-15

My third 2024 MLS Mock Draft is now up. Find out why Maryland forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes could be special.

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

1. Toronto F.C.: Kimani Stewart-Baynes, F, Maryland
   
   
   I'll be doing three mock drafts for the 2024 MLS Draft. A one round mock before the 2023 MLS Playoffs, a second mock around Black Friday with a second round, and a third mock with all three rounds days before the 2024 MLS Super Draft on December, 19, 2023. This is currenlty the second mock that I'm doing for the year, and there is a brand new rule.
   
   
   
   The only players eligible for Generation Adidas offers are freshmen. If you are a sophomore or junior in College Soccer, you can declare for the 2024 MLS Super Draft as long as an MLS team doesn't own your homegrown rights after previously playing for that teams Academy. Freshman players in Men's College Soccer can still qualify for the 2024 MLS Super Draft with a Generation Adidas offer, but sophomores and juniors must enter the 2024 MLS Super Draft. We're gonna see a lot more underclassmen compared to previous years, but I honeslty see only up to 5 freshman players getting consideration for a Generation Adidas offer with only 1 or 2 freshman receiving an offer to turn pro this year for the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
   
   
   
   Only two freshmen Kimani Stewart-Baynes the Big 10 Freshman of the Year and Virginia striker Stephen Annor Gyamfi the ACC Freshman of the Year signed Generation Adidas deals. Oregon State striker Logan Farrington and Lipscomb forward Tyrese Spicer signed Generation Adidas deals as pre-signed seniors. Clemson center back Pape Mar Boye may withdraw from the MLS Super Draft to play professionally in Europe like Syracuse forward Nathan Opoku did a year ago.
   
   
   
   The last time Toronto F.C. had the first pick, they traded the pick away to the New England Revolution for Allocation money in the 2013 MLS Super Draft. New England drafted Louisville center back Andrew Farrell with the first pick and he's still on the New England Revolution a decade later. That's why Toronto F.C. has to keep this selection. Toronto takes the youngest draft eligible player whose only 19-years-old with the first overall pick. West Virginia forward Marcus Calderia is my top prospect for the 2024 MLS Super Draft as well as the first of eleven Generation Adidas players in this mock draft.
   
   
   
   Toronto is using a 3-4-2-1 formation. Toronto is going to get a local player at one, but the question is which one. The 5-8 160 lb Kimani Stewart-Baynes seems to be the player Toronto F.C. prefers. On Sunday, December 10, 2023, I read a tweet saying Toronto F.C. likes both Maryland winger Kimani Stewart-Baynes and West Virginia forward Marcus Calderia, but that Toronto F.C. prefers Kimani Stewart-Baynes.
   
   
   
   Maryland freshman Kimani Stewart-Baynes had 3 goals, 7 assists, and 13 points. Kimani Stewart-Baynes was also the Big 10 Freshman Of The Year and could be the top selection if he gets a Generation Adidas offer since he won't turn 19 until January. Kimani Stewart-Baynes has the speed, kicking power, kicking accuracy, passing, and stamina you want from an MLS winger.
   
   
   
   Toronto F.C. has used all 8 International Roster slots, but neither Kimani Stewart-Baynes or Marcus Calderia would count as an International roster slot on an MLS team in Canada. Kimani Stewart-Baynes is the player with the higher ceiling and he's my pick to go first overall in the 2024 MLS Super Draft since it allows Prince Osei Owusu a striker that Toronto F.C. signed in August to remain at the 9. Kimani Stewart-Baynes has the versatility to play the 9 at striker, the 10 at attacking midfielder, and the 11 at left winger. Kimani Stewart-Baynes played left winger at Maryland and that seems like that could be his role in the MLS too as the first of 3 Generation Adidas players in the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
   
   
   
2. Colorado Rapids: Logan Farrington, F, Oregon State
   
   
   Colorado runs a 4-2-3-1 formation. Colorado has four first round picks and two of those picks are top five picks.
   
   
   
   Colorado already has good center backs with Andreas Maxso, Danny Wilson, Lalas Abubakar, and last years 2023 first round pick in Moise Bombito out of New Hampshire. While Colorado has used all 8 International roster slots, they haven't used any of their 3 International roster slots on their Under 22 Team. With Pape Mar Boye no longer in the 2024 MLS Super Draft, with reports of Pape Mar Boye turning down the MLS for Europe, I think Colorado pivots to striker at 2. I have the Colorado Rapids currently selecting Oregon State striker Logan Farrington at 2 since he got the Oregon State Beavers to the 2023 College Cup showcasing similar traits to last years best rookie Duncan McGuire the sixth pick in the 2023 MLS Super Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 175 lb Logan Farrington had 7 goals, 3 assists, and 17 points as a junior at Milwaukee in 2022 before entering the transfer portal and enrolling at Oregon State. Logan Farrington had 15 goals, 7 assists, and 37 points as a senior winning 2023 PAC 12 Men's Soccer Player of the Year in addition to 2023 PAC 12 Offensive Player Of The Year in 2023. Logan Farrington was born in the United States, so he will not occupy an International roster slot. Logan Farrington's 2 goals and 2 assists for Oregon State in their 7-1 win against SMU in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 College Cup. That SMU team was ranked 6th in the 2023 Men's College Soccer Tournament as well as being ranked as high as second in the country at one point behind Marshall.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Pape Mar Boye, D, Clemson
   
   
   
   
3. Inter Miami C.F.: Josh Jones, D, Louisville
   
   
   Inter Miami C.F. runs a 4-3-3 formation and has all 8 International spots plus all 3 of their Under 22 International spots occupied. Inter Miami C.F. has some core players with Leonardo Campana who led the team with 9 goals playing the 9 at striker moving to the 11 at left wing, Luis Suarez who has 10 goals and 10 assists in the Brazil Series A League takes over at the 9 at striker in 2024. Lionel Messi plays the 7 at right winger and was teammates with Luis Suarez on the 2010 F.C. Barcelona soccer team that had an MSN forward line with Messi at left winger, Suarez at striker, and Neymar at right winger. Sergio Busquets played the 10 at attacking midfielder on that 2010 F.C. Barcelona team and is now the 10 at attacking midfielder on Inter Miami C.F. The fourth and final F.C. Barcelona player on Inter Miami C.F. is left back Jordi Alba who plays the 2 at left back. DeAndre Yeldin plays the right back at the 3 and is reliable there.
   
   
   
   Diego Gomez, a Paraguay native grew up a central midfielder at the 8, but has made a seamless transition to left midfielder. Gregore from Brazil plays the 6 at defensive midfielder, but made the transition to right midfielder before an injury in . Inter Miami C.F. also has 3 midfielders 22 or younger in MLS Next through the teams Academy that the organization can promote. Inter Miami C.F. has 3 goalies 26 years old or younger.
   
   
   
   Drake Callander and C.J. Dos Santos split time as the starting goalie, but Inter Miami C.F. also drafted Xavier Cole Jensen in the first round of the 2023 MLS Super Draft. Inter Miami C.F. only recorded 5 shutouts in 34 regular season games with 1 in February during the season opener, one in March during the second game of the regular season against the Philadelphia Union, two shutouts in August, and one shutout in September if you exclude the tournament games from the Leagues Cup and US Open Cup.
   
   
   
   Inter Miami C.F. needs a center back, but if one isn't available at 3, I expect them to move this pick for Allocation Money with David Beckham trying to get either Andrew Farrell or Miles Robinson in Free Agency to fill that void. If Inter Miami C.F. keeps the third pick and wants to go with the best player on the board over a defender, it will depend on who is available at 3. In my first 2024 MLS Mock Draft, I mocked Cornell freshman Alex Harris to Inter Miami C.F. prior to the signing of Luis Suarez. Until we have a better idea of what underclassmen are in the 2024 MLS Super Draft or until we know who is playing in the 2023 MLS College Showcase in Phoenix, Arizona, it's hard to get a read on what Inter Miami C.F. does here.
   
   
   
   For now, I'm mocking the same forward I mocked at 3 to groom for the future if Inter Miami C.F. keeps third pick who will start out in MLS Next, but could be a future asset in this organization once Luis Suarez contract runs out. Suarez signed a one year deal, but does have a club option for 2025, so if Inter Miami C.F. drafts a striker at 3, that player would be in MLS Next in 2024 before coming off the bench behind Suarez in 2025, before potentially starting by 2026 once the contract of Luis Suarez expires. The other options are to draft the best center back on the board or trade the pick for Allocation money. I think this pick will be dealt for allocation money since every team with the third overall pick in the MLS Draft dating back to 2018 has dealt this pick for Allocation money.
   
   
   
   However the player Inter Miami C.F. drafts has to be a domesitc born player. Cornell forward Alex Harris would make sense if you want a striker to groom behind Luis Suarez, but Louisville center back Josh Jones could also be an option if you want a defender to fix the back line as Josh Jones has massive size for a cenber back. I ended up mocking Alex Harris to Inter Miami C.F. prior to the Luis Suarez signing in my first mock, but decided to mock Josh Jones to Inter Miami C.F. since he's the one center back underclassmen that stood out on tape outside of Papa Mar Boye.
   
   
   
   The 6-5 209 lb Josh Jones would be the biggest player in the 2024 MLS Super Draft if the junior center back on the Louisville Cardinals declared for the 2024 MLS Super Draft. Josh Jones has a better soccer resume than most people realize and since Josh Jones is a junior, he can declare for the 2024 MLS Super Draft after this season ends.
   
   
   
   Josh Jones has been consistent even dating back to High School where he was one of five nominees for Gatorade Player Of The Year prior to enrolling at Louisville. Jones was also 1 out of 32 High School soccer players from across the country to get invited to the Generation Adidas Invitational at Real Madrid back in 2019. The former North Penn High School center back was a two sport athlete that played both soccer and basketball averaging 21.6 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game in Basketball despite choosing soccer over Basketball as his main sport once arriving at Louisville.
   
   
   
   Josh Jones played in all 18 matches as a true freshman with 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points, 1,420 minutes played, and helped Louisville record 6 shutouts in his 16 starts while also helping Louisville record a shutout off the bench against Bellermine before being named a regular starter the folllowing game during his freshman year in 2021. Josh Jones was also the 2022 National Premier Soccer League Player Of The Year with the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals in the Spring of 2022 getting 4 goals, 5 assists, and 9 points in the NPSL in 2022. Josh Jones was the team captain at both North Penn High School and the Philadelphia Ukrainan Nationals prior to winning 2022 National Premier Soccer League Player Of The Year.
   
   
   
   Josh Jones was one of two Louisville Cardinals to start all 18 games in his second season at Louisville. Josh Jones had 3 goals, 1 assist, 7 points, 6 shutouts, and led Louisville with 1,627 minutes played as a sophomore in 2022.
   
   
   
   Josh Jones got promoted to team captain on Louisville's soccer team prior to this season. Josh Jones had 3 goals, 2 assists, 9 points, 3 shutouts, and 1,514 minutes played as a junior in 2023. When I saw Louisville in person against Pittsburgh in the 2023 ACC Tournament, Jones looked like a man among boys during the 110 minutes of play keeping Pittsburgh scoreless for 104 minutes. He helped both a Louisville and Pittsburgh player get up by grabbing that player with his hand when both players were injured which speaks volumes about the character Josh Jones has. Jones took pressure off of Louisville's goalie with his defense being the reason Louisville and Pittsburgh were scoreless heading into double overtime at Ambrose Urbanic Field. Louisville won that game 2-1, but Jones played like a stonewall defender in that game despite not getting the shutout showcasing his potential as a passer, defender, and communicator on Louisville. Jones followed that contest up with a 3-0 shutout against Notre Dame, who was the one seed in the 2023 ACC Tournament while also recording a goal in that game.
   
   
   
   Josh Jones had 1 goal and 1 assist in Louisville's 4-3 win over Dayton in the round of 48 at the 2023 College Cup. Josh Jones has at least 1,400 minutes played in each of his three seasons at Louisville.
   
   
   
   Center back is one position of need for Inter Miami C.F. as Inter Miami C.F. can improve a backline that only recorded 5 shutoust in 2023 with the addition of Josh Jones. There's no reason not to draft Josh Jones if he opts to declare for the 2024 MLS Super Draft. Josh Jones kept West Virginia striker Marcus Calderia scoreless in the round of 32 at the 2023 College Cup despite West Virginia winning that game 1-0.
   
   
   
4. Colorado Rapids: Nate Jones, D, Washington
   
   
   Colorado takes a domestic center back at 4 now with reports of Pape Mar Boye opting out of the 2024 MLS Super Draft at the last minute. Nate Jones is a consensus top 5 pick in most mock drafts and the consensus number one center back. I still like Louisville's Josh Jones more after scouting him in person, but Colorado will probably either take Nate Jones at 4 or move this pick for Allocation Money.
   
   
   
   The 6-3 190 lb Nate Jones is a 21-year-old center back on Washington who can play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back. Nate Jones had 2 goals, 1 assist 5 points, and helped Washington record 9 shutouts in 2022. Nate Jones had 3 goals, 2 assists, 8 points, and helped Washngton record 3 shutouts in 2023. Inter Miami C.F. doubles up at center back by taking the top center back in the 2024 MLS Super Draft according to College Soccer News as well as my third best underclassmen in the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Matthew Bell, F, Marshall
   
   
   
   
5. Austin FC: Matthew Bell, F, Marshall
   
   
   Austin F.C. runs a 4-2-3-1 formation. Austin FC has used all 8 of their International roster slots for 2024, but Austin FC still has all 3 Under 22 International slots. Someone like Marshall forward Matthew Bell would qualify for an Under 22 International slot on Austin FC. The 21-year-old Matthew Bell becomes the fourth underclassmen to be picked in my final 2024 MLS Mock Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 160 lb Matthew Bell had 10 goals, 4 assists, and 24 points as a true freshman winning the 2022 Sun Belt Freshman Of The Year in 2022. Matthew Bell had 10 goals, 12 assists, and 32 points as a true sophomore winning the 2023 Sun Belt Player Of The Year in 2023.
   
   
   
   Matthew Bell plays the 9 at striker, but can also play the 7 at right winger or the 11 at left winger with his versatility. Marshall got off to an 11-0-0 start and was the number one team in the country before losing to West Virginia.
   
   
   
   Austin FC could be a real fun team to watch if C.J. Fodrey, Valentin Noel, and Matthew Bell are all on this MLS roster with former first overall pick Daniel Pereira from the 2021 MLS Super Draft in 2024. I honestly think there is an outside chance that all of those guys are in the MLS after Austin FC went from making the Western Conference Finals to drafting in the top 5 for the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Zach Bohane, M, Stanford
   
   
6. Chicago Fire F.C.: Jacob Murrell, F, Georgetown
   
   
   Chicago Fire F.C. runs a 4-2-3-1 formation and has used all 8 International roster slots. Chicago's decision to trade a 2023 first round pick to Orlando City S.C. for former rookie of the year Chris Mueller ended up costing the Chicago Fire a chance to draft Duncan McGuire. Chicago makes up for it by drafting their own striker with the sixth pick in the 2024 MLS Super Draft. Jacob Murrell was born on March 29, 2004 making the 19-year-old striker one of the youngest central forwards in the 2024 MLS Super Draft
   
   
   
   The 6-3 180 lb Jacob Murrell had 7 goals, 3 assists, and 17 points as a freshman in 2022. Jacob Murrell had 11 goals, 4 assists, and 26 points as a sophomore in 2023. Jacob Murrell can declare for the 2024 MLS Super Draft as a true sophomore with the new rules for any sophomore or junior eligible to declare for the 2024 MLS Super Draft as long as that player doesn't have a homegrown deal with a previous MLS team. Jacob Murrell is the fifth underclassmen off the board.
   
   
   
   Jacob Murrell's main position is the 9 at striker. Jacob Murrell does have the versatility to play the 7 at right winger, the 9 at striker, and the 11 at left winger in the MLS.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Matthew Roou, F, Notre Dame
   
   
   
   
7. D.C. United: Tyrese Spicer, F, Lipscomb
   
   
   D.C. United runs a 4-3-1-2 formation and has 6 of their 8 International roster slots locked up for next season after trading right back Raul for right back Aaron Herreria and allocation money. I thought about mocking another International player, but my best available player for D.C. United was born in the United States. Daniel Barker John is the sixth underclassmen off the board as a pre-signed Generation Adidas senior, but since he's a junior redshirt I'm counting him as a underclassmen.
   
   
   
   Tyrese Spicer had 8 goals, 7 assists, and 23 points in the Fall of 2021. Tyrese Spicer had 4 goals, 7 assists, and 15 points in 2022. Tyrese Spicer had 14 goals, 3 assists, and 31 points in 2023. Tyrese Spicer plays the 9 at striker, but the highly touted Tyrese Spicer did manage to score on the 2023 Big 10 Champion Indiana Hoosiers in the round of 48 at the 2023 College Cup. Indiana usually reloads with talent on the backline and at goalie under Indiana head coach Todd Yeagley.
   
   
   
   Tyrese Spicer has the kicking power and kicking accuracy you want from a 22-year-old striker. What's more impressive is his speed. He can run a mile in five minutes and forty seconds. He can run two miles in eleven minutes and thirty five seconds.
   
   
   
   Tyrese Spicer got an invite to the 2023 MLS College Showcase. The junior redshirt declined the invite. Even after declining the invite to the 2023 MLS College Showcase, he signed a Generation Adidas deal pretty early which means he could come off the board here as early as number 7.
   
   
   
   Tyrese Spicer has the kicking power, kicking accuracy, and speed which are the three most imporant boxes for a striker at the 9 are checked off in spades. Tyrese Spicer makes a ton of sense for D.C. United at 7 here.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Jefferson Amaya, M, High Point
   
   
8. New York City F.C.: Ousmane Sylla, M, Clemson
   
   
   New York City F.C. has a 4-3-3 and has used 7 of their 8 International roster slots. New York City F.C. can promote MD Myers at striker as last years 2023 third round pick led MLS Next with 17 goals. Clemson midfielder Ousmane Sylla will not get out of the top 10, and honestly I think he's the first senior off the board after Clemson's dominant title run where Clemson won two College Cups in three years.
   
   
   
   The 5-8 170 lb Ousmane Sylla was part of Clemson's Championship team in 2021 playing 1,348 minutes during Clemson's run to the 2021 College Cup. Ousmane Sylla had 5 goals, 7 assists, 17 points, and played 1,401 minutes in 2022. Ousmane Sylla had 13 goals, 10 assists, 36 points, has 5 game-winning goals, is 2/2 on penalty kicks, and played 1,306 minutes in 2023.
   
   
   
   Ousmane Sylla can play the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 8 at central midfielder, and the 10 at attacking midfielder. Ousmane Sylla is arguably a top 10 prospect especially following his hat trick in Clemson's 6-0 win over Boston College along with his run at the 2023 College Cup leading Clemson to a second Championship in three years. New York City F.C. gets a playmaker for their offense right here at 8.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Alex Harris, F, Cornell
   
   
   
   
9. Minnesota United F.C.: Zach Bohane, M, Stanford
   
   
   Minnesota United F.C. runs a 4-3-2-1 formation. Minnesota United F.C. goes with the best player on the board at 9 with all 8 international slots occupied in 2024. Minnesota United F.C. gets Stanford midfielder Zach Bohane here.
   
   
   
   The 5-10 150 lb Zach Bohane had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 4 points in only 3 starts as a true freshman in 2022. Zach Bohane had 8 goals, 11 assists, and 27 points in 19 starts while helping Stanford record 7 shutouts with Stanford as a sophomore in 2023. Zach Bohane is my seventh underclassman to get picked in my 2024 MLS Mock Draft.
   
   
   
   Zach Bohane's main position is attacking midfielder, but he can play any midfielder role which is good since Austin FC's leading goal scorer in the MLS is their attacking midfielder. Zach Bohane is versatile enough to play the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 7 at right winger, the 8 at central midfielder, the 10 at attacking midfielder, and the 11 at left winger.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Jacob Murrell, F, Georgetown
   
   
10. CF Montreal: Stephen Annor Gyamfi, F, Virginia
    
    
    CF Montreal runs a 3-4-3 formation and produced 12 shutouts thanks to their homegrown goalie finally breaking out despite using only 3 defensemen. CF Montreal also only has 4 International roster slots and can draft domestic or international players with the kind of flexibility this organization has making CF Montreal a candidate to trade up for someone with a top 5 pick in the 2024 MLS Super Draft if Inter Miami C.F., Colorado, or Austin FC wants to move out of the top 5. If CF montreal stays put I expect them to take the best forward on the board at 10.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 140 lb Stephen Annor Gyamfi had 10 goals, 0 assists, and 20 points winning 2023 ACC Freshman of the year at Virginia. Stephen Annor Gyamfi is the third and final freshmen to get a Generation Adias offer. The Virginia forward plays the 9 at striker and he's also the eighth underclassmen to get picked in my 2024 MLS Mock Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Forster Ajago, F, Duke
    
    
    
    
11. Portland Timbers: Kevin Bonilla, D, Portland
    
    
    Portland has two impact players with left midfielder Evander who led the Timbers with 9 goals playing the 10 at attacking midifielder while lining up as the Portland Timbers left midfielder behind Portland's left winger at the 11 and right winger Santiago Moreno who had 3 goals while leading the Portland Timbers with 6 assists at the 7 playing right winger. Both Evander and Santiago Moreno are impact players, but you can certainly argue that neither is an established star yet.
    
    
    
    Portland runs a 4-3-3 formation and has all 8 International roster spots occupied. Portland also has all 3 Under 22 International spots occupied too.
    
    
    
    Portland may take a local guy at 11. Kevin Bonilla would make a lot of sense since he's got the versatility to play both outside back roles.
    
    
    
    Portland left back Kevin Bonilla has the versatility to play both the 2 at left back and the 3 at right back. That versatility makes Kevin Bonilla one of the top fullbacks that can defend on the outside while making big plays offensively in the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 158 lb Kevin Bonilla had 1 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, helped Portland record 7 shutouts, playing the 2 at left back, and played 1,553 minutes in 18 starts as a freshman redshirt in 2021. Kevin Bonilla had 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points, helped Portland record 10 shutouts getting Portland to the quarterfinals of the 2022 College Cup where Portland lost to Pittsburgh 1-0 in the quarterfinals at Ambrose Urbanic Field while starting all 20 games, and playing 1,715 as a sophomore redshirt in 2022. Kevin Bonilla had 1 goal, 10 assists, 12 points, helped Portland record 8 shutouts, played the 3 at right back for Portland as a junior redshirt, started all 17 games, and played 1,403 minutes in 2023.
    
    
    
    Kevin Bonilla showcased the versatility to play both left back and right back during his time at Portland. Kevin Bonilla also got invited to the 2023 MLS College Showcase where he stood out there. Kevin Bonilla was the ninth underclassmen to get picked.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jason Shokalook, F, Akron
    
    
12. Colorado Rapids: Bryan Dowd, G, Notre Dame
    
    
    William Yarborough's numbers were somewhat underwhelming, but not horrible for a 34-year-old goalie. Colorado will draft a goalie here even though they have the homegrown rights to North Carolina goalie Andrew Cordes whose dominated as a 20-year-old sophomore on the North Carolina Tar Heels. Notre Dame goalie Bryan Dowd is the other goalie you can bring in if you aren't entirely sold on Andrew Cordes as Bryan Dowd is more refined at this point.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 175 lb Bryan Dowd had 10 shutouts in the Fall of 2021. Dowd struggled as a junior in 2022. Bryan Dowd has dominated as a senior with a 12-3-6 record, an .824 save percentage, 70 saves, and 11 shutouts with Notre Dame in 2023. Bryan Dowd is also listed as a punter on Notre Dame's football team so the versatility to be a two sport athlete is there with Bryan Dowd making him an ideal player to play the 1 at goalie. Considering the success Brandon Aubrey had as a former Notre Dame center back turned kicker in the NFL, maybe the lesson here is to stay patient with your Notre Dame prospects in College Soccer because if you don't they might get paid to play another sport professionally.
    
    
    
    Bryan Dowd got a shutout in the round of 32 in the 2023 College Cup after Notre Dame lost as the top seed in the 2023 ACC Tournament. Bryan Dowd shutout Western Michigan in the Sweet 16 after shutting out Kentucky in the round of 32. Bryan Dowd also got a shutout against Oregon State in the Final 4 of the 2023 College Cup before Clemson defeated Notre Dame to win the 2023 College Cup in the Championship match.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Roberto Ordonez, M, Cal State Fullerton
    
    
    
    
13. San Jose Earthquakes: Matthew Roou, F, Notre Dame
    
    
    San Jose ran 4-2-3-1 formation in the regular season and a 4-4-2 formation in the play in round of the 2023 MLS Playoffs. San Jose's 8 International roster slots and 3 Under 22 International roster slots are occupied at the moment. The San Jose Earthquakes have talent at forward, midfielder, defense, and goalie, but not enough to make a deep run. San Jose had central midfielder Jamiro Monteiro as their secondary striker in the playoff loss to Sporting Kansas City. Fortunately for San Jose, the San Jose Earthquakes can ge a secondary striker with the thirteenth pick in the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    I initially thought San Jose was going to pick at 14 prior to the start of the 2023 MLS Playoffs, but the teams from the Eastern and Western Conference that lose the 9 vs 8 play in matchup with the MLS expanding their playoffs from 16 to 18 teams get picks 12 and 13. This means the Colorado Rapids got the twelfth pick thanks to their trade with Charlotte FC during the 2023 MLS Super Draft with Charlotte FC losing to the New York Red Bulls since Charlotte FC traded Allocation Money and a 2024 first round pick to move up to 11 in the 2023 MLS Super Draft only to hand Colorado pick 12. The San Jose Earthquakes get the thirteenth pick after losing in the wild card round of the Western Conference play-in round to Sporting Kansas City.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 155 lb Matthew Roou had 7 goals, 3 assists, and 17 points as a freshman in 2021. Matthew Roou had 4 goals, 4 assists, and 12 points as a sophomore in 2022. Matthew Roou had 10 goals, 3 assists, and 23 points as a junior in 2023. Matthew Roou is my tenth underclassmen to get picked.
    
    
    
    Matthew Roou plays the 9 at striker. He's also a domestic born player that San Jose can draft for depth behind Jeremy Ebobisse.
    
    
    
    Having Cade Cowell at left winger, Jeremy Ebobisse at striker, Matthew Roou at secondary striker, and Christian Espinoza as your right winger would make it far tougher to gameplan around this offense. You would also have Jackson Yueill one of San Jose's first round picks from the MLS Draft and Jamiro Monteiro as your two central midfielders along with a strong defense that kept Sporting Kansas City scoreless until penalty kicks along with competent goaltending.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Logan Farrington, F, Oregon State
    
    
14. New York Red Bulls: Marcus Calderia, F, West Virginia
    
    
    The New York Red Bulls run a 4-4-1-1 formation which produced 12 shutouts in 2023. The New York Red Bulls have 6 of their 8 International roster slots occupied as well as all 3 of their Under 22 Interational roster slots occupied. Frankie Amaya the first pick in the 2019 MLS Super Draft is one of the teams two central midfielders. Taking the best striker on the board is the most logical thing to do here.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 184 lb Marcus Calderia had 5 goals, 4 assists, and 14 points as a freshman in 2022. Marcus Calderia had 6 goals in 12 games for Sigma FC in League1 Ontario which happens to be a professional soccer league in Canada in the Spring and Summer of 2023 prior to his sophomore season at West Virginia after being loaned to Sigma FC prior to his freshman season at West Virginia in 2022. Marcus has 12 goals, 3 assists, and 27 points so far as a sophomore in 2023.
    
    
    
    Marcus Calderia scored a hat trick on Marshall who was the number one team in the country when West Virginia defeated Marshall 5-2 following the Marshall Thundering Herd's 11-0-0 start. West Virginia also had 0 losses on the year entering the Derby against Marshall despite having some ties. West Virginia did lose prior to the 2023 Sun Belt Tournament where Marshall defeated West Virginia in a rematch during the 2023 Sun Belt Championship Game which was located at Marshall. Marcus Calderia hasn't scored a goal since his hat trick against Marshall, but he did get an assist in West Virginia's win during the quarterfinals of the 2023 Sun Belt Tournament. Marcus Calderia has West Virginia in the ELite 8 of the 2023 College Cup and could get West Virginia to Louisville, Kentucky for the Final 4 in the 2023 College Cup since West Virginia is the only top 16 team in their bracket with upsets taking place in the first two rounds of the 2023 College Cup.
    
    
    
    Marcus Calderia believes West Virginia can go toe-to-toe with any team in the country. He led West Virginia in goals for two years in a row in both 2022 and 2023. He's confident, but not cocky. Marcus Calderia could end up dropping to 14 since he wasn't one of the four forwards to get a Generation Adidas offer.
    
    
    
    Marcus Calderia plays the 9 at striker. I honestly don't see Marcus Calderia dropping past pick fourteen as he would be the eleventh underclassmen to get picked.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tyrese Spicer, F, Lipscomb
    
    
    
    
15. F.C. Dallas: Mads Westergren, D, SMU
    
    
    F.C. Dallas runs a 4-3-3 formation. F.C. Dallas currently has 7 of their 8 International roster slots filled.
    
    
    
    F.C. Dallas has the forwards and goaltending to be a formidable team that can make the playoffs on a yearly basis in the Western Conference. Once F.C. Dallas gets better midfielders and defenders this is a team that will be able to make a push to an MLS Cup. I've heard F.C. Dallas could be looking to draft a center back at 15.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 184 lb Mads Westergren is a 21-year-old center back on SMU who had 1 goal, 4 assists, 6 points, and helped SMU record 9 shutouts in 2023. F.C. Dallas will have a really good center back tandem of Mads Westergren and homegrown center back Josh Ramsey down the road if F.C. Dallas secures Josh Ramsey the Notre Dame center back to a homegrown deal in 2025.
    
    
    
    Mads Westergren can play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back. Mads Westergren held Luis Flores and Oral Roberts to a shutout earlier in the season this year in 2023. When Stanford defeated SMU in 2022, Mads Westergren was defending effectively on film while his freshman teammate at center back missed assignments that led to Stanford's three goals in Stanford's 3-1 win over SMU.
    
    
    
    Mads Westergren becomes the twelfth underclassmen to get picked in the top 15 of my 2024 MLS Super Draft. F.C. Dallas could also consider someone like Washington center back Nate Jones if F.C. Dallas wants a domestic center back here at 15.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ousmane Sylla, M, Clemson