2025 MLS Mock Draft: Final Mock 3 Rounds

Round 3

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: December 20, 2024.

61. San Diego FC: Trace Alphin, G, Wake Forest
    
    
    San Diego FC goes for value in the third round. Trace Alphin is the best player left on the board at this point in the third round.
    
    
    
    Trace Alphin is a 22-year-old senior redshirt at Wake Forest as well as a four year starter at goalie. The 2025 MLS Super Draft is a weaker goalie draft compared to the last three goalie drafts in the MLS Super Draft from 2022-2024.
    
    
    
    Trace Alphin had a 0.90 goals against average, a .691 save percentage, 5 shutouts, and a 11-3-5 record playing the 1 at goalie at Wake Forest in 2023. Trace Alphin had a 1.11 goals against average, a .716 savepercentage, 5 shutouts, and a 12-5-7 record playing the 1 at goalie in 2024. I was concerned about Trace Alpphin's save percentage last year which is probably why he went undrafted in the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    In October, I presumed he would be the first goalie off the board. My assumption was wrong. Four goalies got invited to the 2024 MLS College Showcase and Alphin was not one of them. Donovan Parisian, Wessell Speel, and Zac Kelly should be first round picks. Lukas Burns the Providence goalie was my only second round goalie as he went to a team that needed a goalie just like the three goalies I mocked in the first round. Trace Alphin is the clear cut fifth best goalie this year, but I feel like he's more of a third round prospect than a second round pick. A team that needs a goalie may take him earlier than expected if there happens to be a goalie run in the 2025 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    Trace Alphin had 20 career shutouts in 4 seasons at Wake Forest if you exlude his redshirt year where he didn't play in 2020-2021. Trace Alphin was the most consistent goalie at the 2023 MLS College Showcase with the goalie raked ahead of him making it to the championship game of the 2023 College Cup. He displayed the accrobatics, reflexes, good hands, communication, and confidence you want from a starting goalie. He will probably be at the 2024 MLS College Showcase, but we will not know for certain until next month.
    
    
    
    He will need a year at MLS Next in 2025, but should be ready for a promotion from MLS Next to MLS by the Summer of 2026 or the start of 2027. His learning curve is similar to Patrick Schulte, but he's not as advanced as Schulte was coming out of Saint Louis. The 3-0 loss to Ohio State to end the year also left some MLS scouts with a sour taste in their mouth.
    
    
    
62. Colorado Rapids: Colin Griffith, F, Maryland
    
    
    The Colorado Rapids take another forward. Colin Griffith is the top guy left on my board at this point in the third round and Colorado can let Griffith develop at Maryland another year.
    
    
    
    Colin Griffith had 6 goals, 1 assists, and 13 points in 2024. Colin Griffith also got invited to the 2024 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    
    
63. Chicago Fire F.C.: Sekou Agard, D, Mercer
    
    
    Chicago Fire F.C. goes with the best player on my board. Mercer defender Sekou Agard is a great value pick early in the third round.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 160 lb Sekou Agard has the versatility to play the 2 at left back, the 3 at right back, the 4 at sweeper, and the 5 at center back. He can play anywhere on a back line, but center back and right back are his two main positions.
    
    
    
    Sekou Agard currently has 66 starts over four seasons at Mercer. Sekou Agard had 5 goals, 0 assists, 8 points, and has helped Mercer record 9 shutouts as Mercer leads the NCAA in shutouts thanks to Sekou Agard so far in 2024. Sekou Agard was one of my dark horse candidates to sneak into the late first round of the 2025 MLS Super Draft, but he didn't get invited to the 2024 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    Sekou Agard had a good year. Mercer defeated Furman to win the 2023 So-Con Conference Championship. Furman got even with Mercer after Mercer pitched a shutout on Furman in the regular season finale. To be fair to Agard and Mercer, Furman did knock off North Carolina in the round of 48 by winning in the 2024 College Cup. That loss to Furman is one of the reasons the hype on Agard has cooled down a little bit. I still think Agard has enough talent and ability to get drafted even if he ends up being a third round pick.
    
    
    
64. Sporting Kansas City: Adam Lundegard, D, Clemson
    
    
    Sporting Kansas City gets a defenseman for depth. Adam Lundegard played with Pape Mar Boye at Clemson and now the two re-unite on Sporting Kansas City.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 170 lb Adam Lundegard played that 5 at center back on Clemson's Championship team in 2023. He moved to the sweeper this year. He did better as a complimentary center back, but outside of Joran Gerbet he's probably the one Clemson player that is pretty much guaranteed to be drafted. He was a two year captain in 2023 and 2024.
    
    
    
    Adam Lundegaard had 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, and 10 shutouts on Clemson's Championship team in 2023. Adam Lundegaard had 2 goals, 2 assists, 6 points, and helped Clemson record 8 shutouts in 2024.
    
    
    
    
    
65. New England Revoultion: Julien Le Bourdoulous, M, Kansas City
    
    
    New England grabs a midfielder to stash and develop for the future. Julien Le Bourdoulus is worth a look here.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 167 lb Julien Le Bourdoulous plays the 10 at attacking midfielder. Julien Le Bourdoulous had 1 goal, 12 assists, and 14 points in 2024. He played the Denver Pioneers 3 times getting a shutout in the home meeting, losing the regular season meeting at Denver, and beat Denver to win the 2024 Summit League Tournament with both of the teams 2 assists in the 2024 Summit League Championship game. He also recorded both assists against Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh's 3-2 overtime win over Kansas City. Julien Le Bourdoulous was fourth in the country in assists trailing only Owen Smith, Sydney Wathuta, and Sam Bassett. Only one of those midfielders Sydney Wathuna was on the final 2025 MLS Draft list, so Julien Le Bourdoulous could end up going a lot earlier than expected.
    
    
    
66. Nashville S.C.: Fabian Straudi, M, Oregon State
    
    
    Nashville S.C. goes with a midfielder for depth. Fabian Straudi warrants a flyer here.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 158 lb Fabian Straudi was the 8 at central midfielder on Oregon State's Final 4 team that made the 2023 College Cup as a sophomore redshirt in 2023. Fabian Straudi had 2 goals, 12 assists, and 16 points as a junior redshirt in 2024. He tied Julien Le Bourdoulous for 12 assists in 2024.
    
    
    
    
    
67. St. Louis City SC: Palmer Bank, D, Stanford
    
    
    St. Louis City SC goes with a left back to develop for the future. There was a drop off at left back for St. Louis City SC once John Nelson left and went to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
    
    
    
    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 Sweet 16 of the 2023 College Cup. Palmer Bank had 1 goal, 0 assists, 2 points, and helped Stanford record 7 shutouts in 2024. One of those shutouts was against number one ranked Ohio State in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 College Cup.
    
    
    
    Palmer Bank is the twin brother Fletcher Bank who got drafted in the third round of the 2024 MLS Super Draft. Palmer Bank is only 20-years-old as a sophomore redshirt. He's also a Chief Financial Officer at Stanford. Not sure if he's a Chief Financial Officer that's an entrepreneur at Stanford or if he's the actual CFO of Stanford. Either way he can help out with the teams salary cap if his professional career doesn't work out.
    
    
    
68. Colorado Rapids: Martin Bakken, M, Dayton
    
    
    Colorado gets a midfielder for depth. Dayton midfielder Martin Bakken fell to the third round.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 160 lb Martin Bakken only had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 3 points in 4 starts for Dayton as a true freshman in 2023. Martin Bakken had 9 goals, 10 assists, and 28 points as a true sophomore in 2024. Colorado can take a flyer on Bakken here and let him return to Dayton to develop.
    
    
    
    
    
69. Toronto F.C.: Bennett Painter, F, Bowling Green
    
    
    Toronto F.C. goes for value here. Bowling Green forward Benett Painter is a good value pick here in the third round.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 150 lb Bennett Painter had 13 goals, 4 assists, and 30 points as a sophomore at Bowling Green in 2024. He's a striker that FC Cincinnati can roll the dice on as a potential backup at central forward on their MLS roster down the road. They can let him go back to Bowling Green for another year before deciding whether or not to sign him to a future contract.
    
    
    
70. D.C. United: Ryan Friedberg, G, Cornell
    
    
    D.C. United may not need a goalie. They draft one for value though because while their goalie is effective, you can also argue he's not a star. Drafting Ryan Friedberg whose easily the best player on the board this late in the draft is a worthwhile gamble. Worst case scenario, you get a version of George Marks in the Nations Capital. The best case scenario is you land a starting goalie in the third round like the Chicago Fire did when they drafted ZacMath in the fourth round of the MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 205 lb Ryan Friedberg went 13-4-1 with 18 games started, 19 goals allowed, a 1.06 goals against average, 42 saves, a .689 save percentage, 1,620 minutes played, 3 shutouts, and 177 shots faced as a true freshman in 2022. Ryan Friedberg went 6-3-3 with 12 games started, 12 goals allowed, a 1.00 goals against average, 24 saves, a .667 save percentage, 1,080 minutes played, 3 shutouts, and 89 shots faced as a sophomore in 2023. Ryan Frieberg went 13-4-2 with 20 games started, 20 goals allowed, a 1.04 goals against average, 48 saves, a .706 save percentage, 1,734 minutes played, 8 shutouts, and 161 shots faced in 2024. Ryan Friedberg has started 60 games, played over 4,400 minutes, surrendered 51 goals, posted a 1.02 goals against average, 115 saves, a .693 save percentage, went 19-7-4, had 14 shutouts, and faced 429 shots in three seasons at Cornell.
    
    
    
    
    
71. F.C. Dallas: Austin Rome, D, Virginia
    
    
    F.C. Dallas drafts a center back for depth. Austin Rome could be a good addition here.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Austin Rome played the 4 at sweeper and 5 at center back. He complimented Nick Dang on Virginia's back line. Austin Rome began his career at Providence before transferring to Virginia. Virginia's 4 shutouts came agaisnt Rider, James Madison, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh.
    
    
    
72. Austin FC: Dominick Bachstein, F, Drexel
    
    
    Austin F.C. goes with the best player on the board. Dominick Bachstein is a good addition here in the third round.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 180 lb Dominick Bachstein had 12 goals, 6 assists, and 30 points in 2024. He's fast, scores consistently, and sets teammates up for success at playing the 9 striker position by geting assists for the Drexel Dragons. He had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 6 points in a 5-4 win against a Hofstra team that was ranked seventh. I'm aware, that Dominck Bachstein and Drexel didn't make the 2024 College Cup, but the good outweighs the bad. He'd be ranked higher in mock drafts if he was more consistent with Drexel this past season.
    
    
    
    He was the catalyst for Drexel which is the biggest reason he made this mock. Also Dominick Bachstein is majoring in finance and is a Dental Receptionist for Bachstein Dental Esthetics LLC. That's what his LinkedIn says so if he has experience working at a Dentist office he can find other ways to succeed if you are foolish enough to pass on this talented young man that played on Drexel this Fall. Dominick reminds me of Pfeiffer striker Nate Regis who I interviewed back in 2017.
    
    
    
    
    
73. CF Montreal: Jansen Miller, D, Indiana
    
    
    CF Montreal gets a center back for depth. Indiana center back Jansen Miller lined up as a right back at the 2024 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Jansen Miller played at Xavier before transferring to Indiana. Jansen Miller has the versatility to play the 3 at right back, the 4 at the sweeper as your main center back, and the 5 at center back as a complimentary center back.
    
    
    
    Jansen Miller had 1 goal, 4 assists, 6 points, and helped Indiana record 4 shutouts in 2024. Jansen Miller will get drafted, but if he gets drafted in the first round it will be due to Indiana's reputation as a soccer program under Todd Yeagley not because of his talent. I do have him getting picked, but I have him in the third round since the 4 shutouts and only one of the teams he helped shutout made the tournament and that was Michigan.
    
    
    
74. Portland Timbers: Elie Kisoka, F, Kansas City
    
    
    Portland is drafting a forward for depth. Kansas City Roos forward ELie Kisoka is one of the better central forwards that nobody is talking about. He's from France and has the speed to play at the next level.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 180 lb Elie Kisoka had 12 goals, 9 assists, and 33 points in 2024. He had 2 different games with 4 points this season against Northern Illinois an he had four points in Kansas City's 12-0 routing versus Avila. Elie Kisoa scored the game-winning goal to defeat Denver in the 2024 Summit League Championship where Kansas City prevailed 1-0.
    
    
    
    
    
75. Colorado Rapids: Joe Buck, M, Georgetown
    
    
    Colorado gets a midfielder. Georgetown midfielder Joe Buck can play the 6 at defensive midfielder or the 8 at central midfielder. Also, this Joe Buck has a college degree unlike another famous Monday Night Football announcer on the Worldwide leader in Sports. Joe Buck the announcer is great at what he does though, but he got into the business due to his father Jack Buck being a legendary baseball announcer. The Georgetown midfielder hopes he's as famous as the NFL announcer one day.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 165 lb Joe Buck had 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, and helped Georgetown record 9 shutouts in 2024. Joe Buck is getting drafted by Colorado.
    
    
    
    
    
76. Seattle Sounders: Colin McCamy, M, Northwestern
    
    
    The Seattle Sounders get a midfielder for depth here. Colin Bond McCamy has the coolest middle name of any prospect in this draft class. Colin McCamy was also a member of the 2024 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Colin McCamy had 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points, and helped Northwestern record 6 shutouts. Two of those shutouts were shutouts against Big 10 Rivals Wisconsin and Michigan.
    
    
    
77. Charlotte FC: Drew Kerr, M, Duke
    
    
    Charlotte FC drafts a local player for value here. Duke midfielder Drew Kerr gives Charlotte FC a playmaker to stash and develop
    
    
    
    The 6-0 160 lb Drew Kerr had 5 goals, 10 assists, and 20 points on Duke in 2024. Drew Kerr has the versatility to play the 7 at right winger, the 8 at central midfielder, and the 10 at attacking midfielder.
    
    
    
    
    
78. New York City F.C.: Arnau Farnos, M, Oregon State
    
    
    New York City F.C. uses this third round pick to get a playmaker with the versatility to play both the 8 at central midfielder and the 10 at attacking midfielder. Arnau Farnos is available.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 159 lb Arnau Farnos has the versatility to play the 7 at right winger, the 8 at central midfielder, the 9 at striker, the 10 at attacking midfielder, and the 11 at left winger. Arnau Farnos got invited to the 2024 MLS College Showcase. Some of his shots have pinpoint kicking power and kicking accuracy
    
    
    
    Arnau Farnos had 4 goals, 5 assists, and 13 points on Oregon State's team that made the 2023 College Cup. Arnau Farnos had 9 goals, 3 assists, and 21 points in 2024.
    
    
    
79. Real Salt Lake: Philip Naef, D, UCLA
    
    
    Real Salt Lake goes with a fullback that has the versatility to play both the 2 at left back and the 3 at right back. UCLA Phiip Naef is a good prospect and perhaps the top player on UCLA in the 2025 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 170 lb Philip Naef had 1 goal, 10 assists, and 12 points at UCLA in 2024. He only has three career starts from this season after coming off of the bench as a freshman, but his playmaking speaks for itself.
    
    
    
    
    
80. FC Cincinnati: Aboubacar Traore, F, Florida Atlantic
    
    
    FC Cincinnati gets a striker for depth in the third round. Bowling Green forward Bennett Painter grew up in Cincinnati despite playing for Bowling Green playing for Cincinnati United Premier with Cincinnati being his hometown.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 145 lb Aboubacar Traore had 4 goals, 10 assists, and 18 points in 16 starts with Florida Atlantic in 2024. He's the top prospect from the Ivory Coast in the 2025 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
81. Columbus Crew: Riley Thomas, D, North Carolina
    
    
    Columbus will either get a center back for depth or a central midfielder for depth after losing Phillip Quinton and Aidan Morris. Riley Thomas makes a lot of sense at center back here.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Riley Thomas helped North Carolina record 5 shutouts in 2024. He complimented Charlie Harper at center back.
    
    
    
82. Inter Miami C.F.: JT Harms, G, Indiana
    
    
    Drake Callander is the only goalie on this roster. Even if you draft a backup goalie in the first round, your MLS Next Team needs a starting goalie and a backup goalie. I was gracious enough not to give Inter Miami C.F. a goalie in the second round. Unfortunately, I have to give this team a second goalie and be an asshole about it unless David Beckham signs two goalies before Friday. So if you happen to be an Inter Miami C.F. fan you might want to forward this to David Beckham because I'm gonna be a dickhead about this unless Inter Miami C.F. signs two goalies by Friday.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 181 lb JT Harms went 11-5-5 with 4 shutouts, a 1.15 goals against average, 54 saves, and a .692 save percentage in 2024. JT Harms took over for Roman Celentano at goalie and was Indiana's goalie when they lost the 2022 College Cup Championship game to Syracuse.
    
    
    
    
    
83. Atlanta United F.C.: Josh Ramsey, D, Notre Dame
    
    
    Atlanta United F.C. gets a center back for depth after losing Miles Robinson. Notre Dame center back Josh Ramsey makes a lot of sense here.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Josh Ramsey was a four year starter at center back at Notre Dame. His senior year was somewhat of a down year, but he helped get Notre Dame to two College Cups, so something tells me Ramsey will get picked.
    
    
    
84. New York City F.C.: Sergi Solans, F, Oregon State
    
    
    New York City F.C. lost two forwards. One to a loan and one overseas. They draft a goal-scoring forward late in the third round to add to their prospect pool.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 178 lb Sergi Solans had 14 goals, 3 assists, and 31 points in 2024. Some think Sergi Solans could go in the first round, so to get him this late would be an absolute steal as Sergi Solans took over the 9 at striker where Logan Farrington played in 2024 after redshirting during Oregon State's College Cup Season.
    
    
    
    
    
85. Minnesota United F.C.: KK Baffour, M, Notre Dame
    
    
    The 5-8 145 lb KK Baffour was a two time Gatorade Player Of The Year in the State of Connecticut before enrolling into Notre Dame. KK Baffour is now a three year starter that plays the 11 at left winger for Notre Dame. He's from Ghana and may require an International roster slot unless you stash him in MLS Next. KK Baffour had 2 goals, 7 assists, and 11 points in 2023. KK Baffour had 1 goal, 5 assists, and 7 points as a junior in 2024.
    
    
    
86. LAFC: Trace Terry, F, Bowling Green
    
    
    LAFC cut Carlos Vela. Vela had 14 goals in 2018, 34 goals in 2019, 12 goals in 2022, and 9 goals in 2023. I get he had a tedious injury history missing time in 2020, 2021, and 2024. I still disagree with that decision. Whoever made that decision deserves to have Magic Johnson's foot up their ass and Magic Johnson is the owner of LAFC. I was gonna go through LAFC's entire starting lineup, but things have changed since this organization has made me angrier than Larry David in a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode when Larry David is pissed off about something the happens to be passionate about.
    
    
    
    LAFC is getting a 9 at striker. The guy replacing Carlos Vela had 0 goals which makes the decision to cut Vela that much worse. Bowling Green had two strikers in Bennett Painter and Trace Terry.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 184 lb Trace Terry had 12 goals, 5 assists, and 29 points on Bowling Green in 2024. He could be a striker playing the 9 on LAFC in the future.
    
    
    
    
    
87. Orlando City S.C.: Paul Wiese, D, Virginia
    
    
    Orlando City S.C. gets a right back for depth. Virginia defender Paul Wiese plays the 2 at right back.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 150 lb Paul Wiese had 0 goals, 10 assists, and helped Virginia record 4 shutouts in 2024. Paul Wiese gives Orlando City S.C. a right back for depth.
    
    
    
88. Seattle Sounders: Ethan Stevenson, M, Longwood
    
    
    Seattle gets a midfielder. Ethan Stevenson is a goal-scoring midfielder.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 160 lb Ethan Stevenson had 13 goals, 3 assists, and 29 points at Longwood in 2024. Ethan Stevenson cracks this mock draft.
    
    
    
89. New York Red Bulls: Kyle Genenbacher, D, Notre Dame
    
    
    The New York Red Bulls get a right back for depth here. Kyle Genebacher plays the 3 at right back for Notre Dame.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 182 lb Kyle Genenbacher played the 3 at right back on Notre Dame. Kyle Genebacher had 1 goal, 5 assists, 7 points, and helped Notre Dame record 11 shutouts in 20 sstarts when starting in 2023. Kyle Genenbacher had 2 goals, 2 assists, 6 points, and helped Notre Dame record 2 shutouts in 2024.
    
    
    
90. Los Angeles Galaxy: Arthur Duquenne, D, Clemson
    
    
    The Los Angeles Galaxy wrap up this 2024 MLS Super Draft with a guy I had a first round grade on. Stanford left back Palmer Bank is a great player that can be developed into a future starting left back if John Nelson moves on.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 160 lb Arthur Duquenne has spent the last two years at Clemson as their starting left back since taking over at the 2 for Joey Skinner. He helped Clemson record 10 shutouts in 2023. Arthur Duquenne helped Clemson record 7 shutouts in 2024.
    
    
    
    The 2025 MLS Draft is the best soccer draft I've ever scouted and I've been covering the MLS Draft since 2011. If you read this far thank you very much and enjoy the 2025 MLS Super Draft.