Round 2

Princeton goalie Andrew Samuels was a goalie that I had a first round grade on. Find out who got him in the second round.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: December 20, 2025.

31. D.C. United: Isaac Emojong, M, Utah Valley B Grade
    
    
    Houston Dynamo F.C. drafts a central midfielder here. Isaac Emojong plays the 8 at central midfielder and the 11 at left winger on Utay Valley.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 160 lb Isaac Emojong had 6 goals, 2 assists, and 12 points as a sophomore in 2025. A team can draft Isaac Emojong and let him develop in college for two more seasons. This feels like a stash and develop pick more than anything else with Isaac Emojong being a sophomore.
    
    
    
32. Inter Miami C.F.: Kenan Hot, M, Duke A+ Grade
    
    
    Kenan Hot is a player that some had a first round grade on, but people were unsure if Hot would be in the 2026 MLS Draft with Hot playing on New York City F.C. as an Academy player. Kenan Hot got invited to the 2025 MLS College Showcase, so he is draft eligble for 2026. Kenan Hot can play the 6 at defensive midfielder and the 8 at central midfielder.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 165 lb Kenan Hot had 8 goals, 4 assists, 20 points and helped Duke record 10 shutouts in 2025. Kenan Hot began his career as a defensive midfielder, but transitioned to central midfielder while maintaining a high level of defensive play while also improving offensively.
    
    
    
    Inter Miami C.F. drafted Kenan Hot as a depth player and backup to 2024 first round pick Yannick Bright. I like that decision since Bright was a backup to Sergio Besquets who retired at defensive midfielder.
    
    
    
    
    
33. Real Salt Lake: Tre Wright, D, UCLA C+ Grade
    
    
    Real Salt Lake gets another defender for depth. Tre Wright was a big part of UCLA's defense and was the final player that's not a freshman at the 2025 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Tre Wright had 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, and helped UCLA record 8 shutouts in 2025. Tre Wright kept Junior Diouf in check during regulation and overtime despite losing that tournament game against Grand Canyon in penalty kicks.
    
    
    
34. Sporting Kansas City: Sadam Masereka, F, Maryland A+ Grade
    
    
    Sporting Kansas City got their right winger of the future. Sadam Maserka can play the 7 at right winger, the 9 at striker, or the 11 at left winger. He also was one of Maryland's leaders in generating goals this season.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 150 lb Sadam Maserka had 9 goals, 5 assists, and 23 points in 2025. Maryland made the Elite 8 before they lost to Washington. Sadam Masereka also got an invite to the 2025 MLS College Showcase, so he's probably done enough to be drafted this year.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Los Angeles Galaxy: Palmer Bank, D, Stanford A+ Grade
    
    
    The Los Angeles Galaxy run a 4-3-3 formation. The Los Angeles Galaxy have Joseph Paintsil playing the 11 at left winger who led the Los Angeles Galaxy with 11 goals whose under contract until 2027, Gabriel Pec playing the 9 at striker with 6 goals, 9 assists, and is under contract until 2028, and Marco Reus playing the 7 at right winger with 9 assists as Reus has a contract that runs through next season as Reus transitioned from right midfielder to right winger in 2025. Left midfielder Riqui Puig can play the 10 at attacking midfielder when he returns from a season ending injury next year. Edwin Cerrillo can play either the 6 at defensive midfielder or the 8 at central midfielder, but transitioned from the 8 to the 6 after playing the 8 on the Los Angeles Galaxy's 2024 MLS Cup team and is under contract until 2026. Elijah Wyder plays the 8 at central midfielder and is under contract until 2027. John Nelson plays the 2 at left back and is under contract until 2026. Jakob Glesnes plays the 4 at sweeper and Maya Yoshida now plays the 5 at center back with Zanka for depth at center back and is under contract until 2026. Miki Yamane plays the 3 at right back and is under contract until 2026. Novak Micovic plays the 1 at goalie and is under contract until 2026.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Galaxy have a better starting 11 than advertised despite the turnover when everyone is healthy. Los Angeles opted to draft a left back that could be a potential replacement to John Nelson in a year from now when his contract is up in 2027.
    
    
    
    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 had 2 goals, 0 assists, 4 points, and helped Stanford record 7 shutouts once again as a junior redshirt in 2025.
    
    
    
    Palmer Bank has one more year of college eligiblity. He will probably sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy after Stanford's 2026 College Soccer Season. If John Nelson leaves, there's an outside chance, he's a day 1 starter on the Los Angeles Galaxy after he graduates Stanford.
    
    
    
36. Toronto F.C.: Jackson Gilman, D, Pittsburgh A+ Grade
    
    
    Toronto F.C. has one bright spot at goalie with Luka Gavran their 2022 second round pick drafted out of Saint John's. Toronto F.C. did sign Walker Zimmerman to play the 4 at sweeper. Jackson Gilman makes a lot of sense for Toronto F.C. in the early second round. Also, Walker Zimmerman feels like the perfect mentor to Jackson Gilman at the Pro level.
    
    
    
    Jackson Gilman is a three year captain on the Pittsburgh Panthers. Jackson Gilman can play the 2 at left back, the 3 at right back, the 4 at sweeper, and the 5 at center back. Not only does he bring experience and leadership, he's also a guy that you can plug and play anywhere on the backline.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 174 lb Jackson Gilman is the only player on the Pittsburgh Panthers 2022 College Cup team eligible for this draft. Jackson Gilman had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 22 starts as a freshman playing 1,992 minutes as a true freshman in 2022. Jackson Gilman got promoted to team captain the following season posting 2 goals, 2 assists, 6 points, and 1,517 minutes as as sophomore in 2023. Jackson Gilman had 0 goal, 1 assist, 1 point, and played 1,522 minutes in 2024. Jackson Gilman had 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, and played 1,605 minutes as a senior in 2025. Jackson Gilman's three biggest strengths from watching him at Pittsburgh over the years are leadership, versatility, and stamina. Toronto F.C. can add someone like Jackson Gilman to their prospect pool in MLS Next as this pick was the only pick Toronto F.C. had in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, so Toronto F.C. is banking their draft on Jackson Gilman by putting all of their eggs into the Pittsburgh Panthers defender.
    
    
    
    
    
37. St. Louis City SC: Andrew Samuels, G, Princeton A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-5 190 lb Andrew Samuels plays the 1 at goalie. Andrew Samuels went 15-2-2 with 7 goals allowed, a 0.37 goals against average, a .897 save percentage, 12 shutouts, and faced 196 shots as a senior in 2025. Most goalies in soccer do not have a save percentage above .800 the fact that Andrew Samuels got his save percentage within striking distance of .900 says a lot.
    
    
    
    St. Louis lost both their backup and third string goalies. Roman Burki isn't getting any younger. Excellent selection getting the second best goalie for me behind Mitch Budler and only unanimous first round goalie in every MLS Mock Draft with this second round pick.
    
    
    
38. New England Revoultion: Schinieder Mimy, D, UCLA C Grade
    
    
    New England ran a 3-5-2 formation after Caleb Porter got fired in 2024 this season in 2025. New England has Carles Gil at attacking midfielder playing the 10. New England neglected striker for the second year in a row. Outside of Carles Gil, the backline is the strength of this defense with Keegan Hughes at left back playing the 2, Tanner Beason playing the 5 at center back, and Mamadou Fofana playing the 3 at right back. Andrew Farrell did re-sign with New England. New England cut their starting goalie Aljaz Ivacic. Matt Turner is under contract until June of 2026 as he began as the backup goalie before becoming the stating goalie down the stretch. Donovan Parisan last years 2025 first round pick out of San Diego has started 16 games in MLS Next with 6 shutouts showing a lot of potential as he was my top ranked goalie in the 2025 MLS Super Draft for good reason.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 160 lb Schinieder Mimy was my ninty sixth best player. He plays the 2 at left back on the Big 10 Champion UCLA Bruins, and New England is drafting him as a backup to Keegan Hughes. This is a solid pick, but it doesn't fill a need for me.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Houston Dynamo F.C.: Caleb Tommy, D, North Carolina State C Grade
    
    
    Houston drafts a backup right back to Griff Dorsey. The 5-9 155 lb Caleb Tommy was the right back on a North Carolina State soccer team that led the country with 15 shutouts. He wasn't on my big board, but this is a solid depth piece.
    
    
    
40. F.C. Dallas: Edouard Nys, M, UIC A+ Grade
    
    
    Edouard Nys is the biggest riser in the 2026 MLS Draft. He moved up from 35 on my big board as an early second round all the way up to 11 in my initial 2026 MLS Mock Draft. This guy was not even featured on the preseason top 100 for Top Drawer Soccer and moved ahead of Richie Aman in their midseason top 100. Edouard Nys ended up falling to the F.C. Dallas at 40.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 159 lb Edouard Nys plays the 8 at central midfielder and the 10 at attacking midfielder with his versatility. Edouard Nys had 17 goals, 22 assists, and 56 points as a freshman at Northeast Community College as a freshman in 2023. Edouard Nys had 31 goals, 27 assists, and 89 points as a sophomore at Northeast Community College in 2024. Edouard Nys transferred to UIC, Illinois Chicago this year and had 16 goals, 5 assists, and 37 points as a junior in 2025.
    
    
    
    Edouard Nys does a great job of kicking the soccer ball into the corners of the net. This guy is able to hit shots and score goals from the hardest areas of the net to hit. Edouard Nys makes shots that you cannot teach a striker to make the kind of shots you either make from nearly impossible angles or don't. Edouard Nys has that it factor. This kicking power and kicking accuracy is superb.
    
    
    
    
    
41. San Jose Earthquakes: Jack Jasinski, D, Princeton A- Grade
    
    
    San Jose runs a 4-4-2 formation with four defenders, four midfielders, and two strikers. San Jose has two goal scoring strikers in Josef Martinez as the main striker with a club option for next season as Martinez recorded 14 goals and 2 assists in his first season with San Jose. Cristian Arango is the secondary striker and he recorded 13 goals and 7 assists on the San Jose Earthquakes in 2025 as his contract expires in 2026 with a one year option. Preston Judd the backup striker that was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2021 that San Jose traded for scored a career high 7 goals as the backup striker and also received a one year contract extension.
    
    
    
    Ousenni Bouda, San Jose's 2022 first rund pick out of Stanford took over as the starting left winger at the 11 after Cade Cowell left for Liga MX as Ousenni Bouda is under contract until 2027 with a club option for 2028. Christian Espinoza played the 7 at right winger and led the San Jose Earthquakes with 12 assists in 2025 as Christian Espinoza has a contract option for next season. Ronaldo Viera has a contract that runs through 2026 at central midfielder at the 8 and a club option for next season. Beau Leroux the other central midfielder at the 8 has an expiring contract and has a club option for next season.
    
    
    
    Jamar Ricketts, the San Jose Earthquakes 2024 first round pick is now the starting left back at the 2 and while his contract has expired, he has club options for 2025, 2026, and 2027 on his rookie deal. Daniel Munie their 2023 first round pick out of Indiana got a one year extension and still has a club option for 2027 after showing he could play the 4 at sweeper in addition to the 5 at center back. Dave Romney plays the 5 at center back, but has experience in both center back roles. Benji Kikanovic plays the 3 at right back. He does have a club option for next season. San Jose also has two 2025 first round picks Max Floriani drafted second overall and Reid Roberts drafted fifth overall in the 2025 MLS Super Draft for depth.
    
    
    
    Earl Edwards Jr. the starting goalie has a club option for next season after his contract expires as the 1 as San Jose's starting goalie. Francesco Montali the backup goalie is only 25 and he has two club options for 2026 and 2027.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 195 lb Jack Jasinski had 3 goals, 6 assists, 12 points, and helped Princeton record 10 shutouts in 2025. Jack Jasinski could be a solid right back for depth on the right MLS team.
    
    
    
    San Jose's current right back room features Benji Kikanovic as the starting right back job. Last years fifth overall pick Reid Roberts out of San Francisco who can play center back and right back is the backup right back. Jack Jasinski is being drafted to push Reid Roberts to take his game to the next level. This was San Jose's only pick and I had Jasinski going nine picks later to Nashville, so I can get behind this thought process especially if the plan is to move Reid Roberts to a backup center back role along with Max Floriani this season.
    
    
    
42. Real Salt Lake: Jefferson Amaya, M, High Point A Grade
    
    
    Real Salt Lake gets a midfielder for depth. Jefferson Amaya is a player that has been on my radar for four years as my friend in France Florian told me about Amaya during his freshman season.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 175 lb Jefferson Amaya can play the 6 at defensive midfieler, the 8 at central midfielder, or the 10 at attacking midfielder. Jefferson Amaya had 5 goals, 4 assists, 14 points, and 8 shutouts as a freshman in 2022. Jefferson Amaya improved on that with 5 goals, 6 assists, 16 points, and helped High Point post 7 shutouts as a sophomore in 2023. Jefferson Amaya only posted 3 goals, 6 assists, 12 points, and helped High Point post 6 shutouts as a junior in 2024. Jefferson Amaya has 3 goals, 4 assists, 10 points, has helped High Point record 10 shutouts, won 2025 Big South Midfielder Of The Year, helped High Point win the 2025 Big South Tournament, and has High Point in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 College Cup for the first time in school history.
    
    
    
    
    
43. St. Louis City SC: Cooper Forcellini, M, Xavier A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 160 lb Cooper Forcellini had 10 goals, 2 assists, 22 points, and helped Xavier record 4 shutouts as a senior in 2025. He could develop into a true 10 for St. Louis City as a backup attacking midifelder on their roster down the road.
    
    
    
44. F.C. Dallas: Umberto Pela, M, Virginia A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 165 lb Umberto Pela plays the 6 at defensive midfielder. His hometown is Milan Italy.
    
    
    
    Umberto Pela had 4 goals, 6 assists, 14 points, and 8 shutouts with Virginia in 2025. He was also a team captain on the Virginia Cavaliers soccer team this past season.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Portland Timbers: Colin Griffith, F, Maryland D+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 160 lb Colin Griffith missed all of this season with an injury he had 19 starts as a junior in 2024 and a career high 6 goals. What the hell are we doing Portland? This is the first D draft grade that I've handed out.
    
    
    
    
    
46. CF Montreal: Aidan Godinho, M, Georgetown D+ Grade
    
    
    CF Montreal runs a 4-3-3 formation. Prince Owusu at striker and Fabian Herbers are the only good forwards that CF Montreal has. CF Montreal also added Brayan Vera to play the 4 at sweeper.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Aidan Godinho has only started 8 games in two years postinng 1 goal 0 assists and 2 points as a freshman in 2024. Aidan Godinho had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 3 points in 2025. Georgetown won back-to-back Big East Titles, but that doesn't mean you waste a second round pick on a bench player. If this was a consistent starter, I probably would have gave CF Montreal a higher grade here.
    
    
    
47. Austin FC: Stefan Dobrijevic, F, Akron A+ Grade
    
    
    Austin F.C. runs a 3-4-3 formation. Austin FC has Owen Wolfe at the 11 at left winger and Daniel Pereira the player they drafted first overall as an expansion team in the 2021 MLS Super Draft at the 8 at central midfielder as their only two building blocks. Jon Gallagher is also a solid contributor at left midfielder. Brad Stuver got an extension for what he did at the 1 at goalie with 9 shutouts and 128 saves starting all 34 starts. Austin FC gets a forward that they hope can be a striker or a right winger.
    
    
    
    Austin FC get the best player available. Stefan Dobrijevic out of Akron was a big part of Akron's offense. Stefan Dobrijevic has the versatility to play the 7 at right winger, the 9 at striker, and the 11 at left winger.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 162 lb Stefan Dobrijevec had 8 goals, 12 assists, and 24 points in 2025. Stefan Dobrijevec is one of the better wingers and more versatile forwards in the 2026 MLS Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
48. Real Salt Lake: Niklas Soerensen, D, Pittsburgh B Grade
    
    
    Real Salt Lake gets a defender that can be a complimentary center back that Real Salt Lake can stash and develop. I had Niklas Soerensen as high as second overall at one point during his freshman season, but he regressed quite a bit as a sophomore. He does have a high ceiling, but he's super raw and probably needs a third season at Pittsburgh possibly a fourth season too before an MLS team decides whether to sign him or not. Saying he's rawer than Shedeur Sanders would be an understatement, but like with Sannders the upside to be a star player with the proper development and coaching is there.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 165 lb Niklas Soerensen had 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, and helped Pittsburgh record 7 shutouts as a true freshman in 2024. Niklas Soerensen had 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, and helped Pittsburgh record 4 shutouts in 2025.
    
    
    
49. Columbus Crew: Tarun Karumanchi, M, UCLA A+ Grade
    
    
    The Columbus Crew ran a 4-4-2 formation in their final game in the 2025 MLS Playoffs which involves four defenders, four midfielders, and two strikers. This was the last chance for the 2023 MLS Cup Champions to make another run.
    
    
    
    Columbus used their double digit goal scorer Diego Rossi as the main striker playing the 9 and Hugo Picard a 22-year-old as the secondary striker. Both of them will be back next season.
    
    
    
    Daniel Gazdag plays the 10 at attacking midfielder. Sean Zawadzki can play the 8 at centeral midfielder or the 7 at right winger depending on where you line him up. He plays the 8 in a three midfielder set and the 7 in a four midfielder formation. Columbus loses their left winger at the 11 to Free Agency and their team captain Darlington Nagbe who played the 6 at defensive midfielder is retiring. Max Arfsten can take over at the 11 at left winger next year.
    
    
    
    Yevgen Cherberko plays the 2 at left back and he's back until at least June of 2026. Malte Amundsen plays the 4 at sweeper. Columbus loses Steven Moreiera who can play the 5 at center back as well as the 3 at right back. as well as Lassi Lappalianen who transitioned from the 11 at left winger to the 3 at right back. Andres Herrera came of the bench, but it is safe to say he will probably start at the 3 at right back next season.
    
    
    
    Columbus has Patrick Schulte playing the 1 at goalie as Patrick Schulte will enter year 4 as a starting goalie next year. Evan Bush returned on a one year deal as the backup goalie to Patrick Schulte. Nicholas Hagen is back as the MLS Next Goalie developing. Stanislav Lapkes is a 19-year-old goalie that can get MLS Next minutes as a backup next year.
    
    
    
    Columbus needed a player that could play the 3 at right back, the 5 at center back, and the 6 at defensive midfielder. Columbus ended up drafting someone that could play the 6 in Tarun Karumanchi.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 150 lb Tarun Karumanchi had 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, and helped UCLA record 8 shutouts in 2025. This is a very good defensive midfielder, but he won't have the size, offensive ability, leadership, or ability to shape the culture that Darlington Ngabe had as Darlington Ngabe was one of ten MLS players to win 4 MLS Cups and the other nine players that won four MLS Cups all retired before Ngabe won his first MLS Cup in 2015.
    
    
    
    
    
50. Nashville S.C.: Max Miller, D, Kentucky A+ Grade
    
    
    Nashville S.C. runs a 4-3-3 formation with four defensemen, three midfielders, and three forwards. Nashville has Jacob Shaffelburg playing the 11 at left winger, Sam Surridge plays the 9 at striker as he doubled his goal total from 12 in 2024 to 24 in 2025, and Hany Muhktar can play both the 7 at right winger in a thre forward or the 10 at attacking midfielder in a four midfielder formation as Hany Mukhtar had 16 goals and 12 assists in 2025.
    
    
    
    Patrick Yazbek plays the 8 at central midfielder lining up at a left midfielder. Edvard Tagseth also plays the 8 at central midfielder. Bryan Acosta plays the 8 at central midfielder playing right midfielder.
    
    
    
    Daniel Lovitz plays the 2 at left back. Thomas Williams plays the 4 at sweeper, Jeisson Palacios plays the 5 at center back, and Andy Najar plays the 3 at right back. Nashville S.C. also has Josh Bauer, Jack Maher their second overall pick in the 2020 MLS Super Draft at center back, and Wyatt Meyer their 2024 first round pick at center back.
    
    
    
    Joe Willis plays the 1 at goalie and Xavier Valdez replaced Elliott Panicco Nashville's second 2020 first round pick as the backup goalie.
    
    
    
    Nashville S.C. drafts a right back for depth behind Andy Najar. Max Miller was a four year starter playing the 2 at right back on the Kentucky Wildcats as well as a three year captain as the Kentucky Wildcats. I had a different right back going to Nashville with this pick in my mock draft, but he was gone.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 160 lb Max Miller had 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, and helped Kentucky record 8 shutouts in 2025. Max Miller is someone that may be able to push Andy Najar for minutes, but he's not necessarily someone that will start over him. He's an ideal bench player to compliment him if you develop Max Miller.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Seattle Sounders: Joe Dale, M, Washington A+ Grade
    
    
    Seattle ran multiple formations during the 2025 MLS Playoffs. The most common formation they ran was a 4-2-3-1 formation with four defensemen, two central midfielders that play box-to-box with offensive responsibilities as well as defensive responsibilities, 3 midfielders with a left winger, attacking midfielder that generates assists, along with a right winger, and 1 striker.
    
    
    
    Seattle has Danny Musovski playing the 9 at striker. Danny Musovski had 14 goals and 4 assists in 2025. Danny Musovski's contract expires, but he has a club option to return to the Seattle Sounders.
    
    
    
    Ryan Kent plays the 11 at left winger as Ryan Kent does have a club option to return in 2026 after hsi contract expires. Albert Rusnak plays the 10 at attacking midfielder and had 11 goals and 10 assissts in 2025 with Albert Rusnak entering a contract year next year with a club option for 2027. Jordan Morris plays the 7 at right winger and his contact runs through 2027, but has no club option attached to it. Jesus Ferreia who Seattle traded a 2026 first round pick to get is the backup striker as well as the backup winger for depth.
    
    
    
    Obed Vargas and Christian Roldan both play the 8 at central midfielder. Obed Vergas has a one year club option for 2026. Christian Roldan, Seattle's 2015 first round pick is under contract with Seattle until 2027. Danny Leyva plays the 6 at defensive midfielder and the 22-year-old defensive midfielder has a club option for 2027 after his contract expires. Seattle plays Leyva off the bench when they have a lead. Joao Paulo is a backup central midfielder for depth and he has a club option for next season.
    
    
    
    Georgi Minoungou transitioned from the 7 at right winger to the 2 at left back as the 23-year-old Georgi Minoungou is under contract until 2028 with a club option. Jackson Ragen plays the 4 at sweeper as the main center back with a contract that runs through 2027 with a club option to keep him under contract until 2028. Osaze De Rosario transitioned from the 9 at striker to the 5 at center back giving Seattle a quality center back next to Jackson Ragen. Alex Roldan the younger brother of Christian Rolan plays the 3 at right back and was Seattle's 2018 first round pick. The backup left back Nouhou Tolo also has a club option for 2026 despite his contract being up. Yeimar Gomez Andrade the backup center back has a club option. Jon Bell will be gone, but former Penn midfielder Leo Burney, a homegrown player that was on the Seattle Sounders is expected to replace Jon Bell as the fourth center back. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Seattle's 2024 first round pick out of Washington plays the 3 as the backup right back.
    
    
    
    Seattle started Stefan Frei most of the year as he is back playing the 1 as the starting goalie. Seattle does have two younger homegrown goalies in former Stanford goalie Andrew Thomas and former San Diego State goalie Jacob Castro. Andrew Thomas started over Stefan Frei in this years 2025 MLS Playoffs and Jacob Castro has developed enough to where he can be the backup to Andrew Thomas if Seattle moves on from long-time starting goalie Stefan Frei.
    
    
    
    Seattle had the luxury to take the best player available. Seattle took a local in Joe Dale, a guy that played the 7 at central midfielder on the National Champion Washington Huskies.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 163 lb Joe Dale had 2 goals, 5 assists, and 9 points on the National Champion Washington Huskies in 2025. Joe Dale can be a solid backup to Jordan Morris. He can also return to Washington for one more season in 2026 before signing with the Seattle Sounders.
    
    
    
52. Charlotte FC: Luke Adams, D, Tulsa C- Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 175 lb Luke Adams grew up in McKinney, Texas prior to enrolling at Tulsa. He showed significant growth going from 0 shutouts as a freshman redshirt in 2024 to having 1 goal, 0 assists, 2 points, and 5 shutouts in 2025. Luke Adams got drafted as a sophomore redshirt and Charlotte FC will most likely let him develop at Tulsa the next two seasons before deciding whether or not to offer him a contract. I was extremely encouraged by the growth Adams showed. The only potential drawback is that Dave Tepper gets to micromanage Adams if he gets an offer to sign an MLS contract after college. I'll admit that factors more into my C- grade than anything else.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Minnesota United F.C.: Bardia Hormozi, M, Princeton C Grade
    
    
    Minnesota opted for a attacking midfielder for depth rather than drafting a starter. The 5-10 160 lb Bardia Hormozi had 6 goals, 4 assists, 16 points, and helped Princeton record 13 shutouts in 19 starts in 2025.
    
    
    
    Joaquin Pereyra is your starting attacking midfielder. Bardia Hormozi has one more year of college eligibility as a junior, so he can return to Princeton in 2026 before signing with Minnesota United F.C.
    
    
    
54. Inter Miami C.F.: Mamadi Jiana, F, Bryant A+ Grade
    
    
    Inter Miami's 2026 first round pick Abdel Talabi may have put in a good word for Mamadi Jiana the same way C.J. Stroud put in a good word for Tank Dell back in the 2023 NFL Draft since Abdel Talabi and Mamadi Jiana were teammates on the Bryant Bulldogs soccer team. That's why it is pretty ironic that Inter Miami C.F. drafted two players from Bryant after the Bryant Bulldogs talked about having aspirations to win the 2025 College Cup before falling in the Sweet 16 to the Final 4 finalist, the Saint Louis Billikens.
    
    
    
    Mamadi Jiana played the 9 at striker on the Bryant Bulldogs and led Bryant with 25 shots on goal and 54 shots which was 15 more than any other player on the Bryant Bulldogs this past Fall. He plays kind of reckless and also led Bryant with 6 yellow cards, but he avoided any red cards despite his reckless play at times. One of those yellow cards came in the tournament loss to the Saint Louis Billikens when Bryant led Saint Louis 2-1 before center back Quinten Blair scored a game-tying goal on a penalty kick thanks to Jiana's foul which allowed Saint Louis to remain tied with Bryant in regulation, overtime, and double overtime before Saint Louis won over Bryant in penalty kicks. If Jiana doesn't committ that foul on Blair, Bryant knocks out SLU, and who knows whether Akron or Bryant ends up in Cary, North Carolina in the 2025 College Cup playing in the Final 4 in that scenario. I doubt either team would have kept things as close as Saint Louis did against North Carolina State before losing to the Wolfpack. Also, Saint Louis would have defeated Furman in a third place College Cup game despite neither Final 4 team having any players drafted this year. I'm pretty convinced of that.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Mamadi Jiana had 7 goals, 4 assists, 18 points, and helped Bryant record 12 shutouts as a senior in 2025. Jiana is a two-way forward that is effective on offense and defense despite not being a dominant double-digit goal scorer. He needs to continue to play physical on defense, but committ less fouls and make an effort to cut down on yellow cards. The reason I say that is Jiana's tendency to get yellow cards ultimately led to Saint Louis barely defeating the Bryant Bulldogs in penalty kicks.
    
    
    
    
    
55. FC Cincinnati: Ayoub Lajhar, D, Connecticut A+ Grade
    
    
    FC Cincinnati runs a 3-5-2 formation. FC Cincinnati has all 11 starters back next year.
    
    
    
    FC Cincinnati has Kevin Denkey playing the 9 at striker who had 15 goals in 2025 and their defensive midfielder at the 6 Obinna Nwobodo is the secondary striker. Kevin Denkey is under contract untl 2028 with a club option for 2029 and Obinna Nwobodo is under contract until 2027 with a club option for 2028. Kei Kamara and Brenner are the two backup strikers and both of them have club options for 2026. Ayaub Jabbari is a third string striker who has a buyout option.
    
    
    
    Luca Orellano can play the 11 at left winger or the 7 at right winger as FC Cincinati's left winger is only 25 and is under contract until 2029. Samuel Gidi plays the 8 at central midfielder, and the 21-year-old is under contract until 2028. Evander plays the 10 at attacking midfielder as he led FC Cincinnati with 18 goals and 15 assists in 2025. Evander is under contract until 2027 with a club option until 2028. Pavel Bucha plays the 8 at central midfielder and has a contract that runs trhough 2026 with a club option for 2027 as Pavel Bucha finished second on FC Cincinnati with 7 assists in 2025. Alvas Powell has transitioned from the 3 at right back to the 7 at right winger. Alvas Powell has a club option to return to FC Cincinnati in 2026. Lukas Engel gves you depth at left winger and he has an option to return or be bought out. Brian Anunga is the backup central midfielder for depth with a contract that runs through 2026. Gerardo Valenzuela is the backup attacking midfielder behind Evander under contract until 2026 with a club option. Ender Echenique is the backup right winger for depth.
    
    
    
    FC Cincinnati has Teenage Hadebe playing the 2 at left back. He's filling in that role for an injured Brad Smith, but FC Cincinnati can use a club option on either left back. FC Cincinati brought back Hadebe, but let the aging Brad Smith, their backup left back walk. Miles Robinson plays the 5 at center back. He can play the 4 at sweeper. Matt Miazga also has a club option for 2026 if he comes back as either a complimentary center back next to Miles Robinson or maybe he ends up playing next to Robinson in a four defender set. Nick Hagglund plays the 3 at right back and his contract runs through 2027, but he has no club option at the moment. Gilberto Flores is the current backup to Matt Hagglund.
    
    
    
    Roman Celentano plays the 1 at goalie. FC Cincinnati's 2022 first round pick out of Indiana was the draft pick that FC Cincinnati hit on to turn this rebuild around. Evan Lauro the backup goalie has an expiring contract, but he has a club option for 2026. Paul Walters the former Northwestern goalie signed a homegrown contract with FC Cincinnati, but is developing in MLS Next. FC Cincinnati also traded their third round pick to D.C. United for Nate Crockford.
    
    
    
    There are only two players in FC Cincinnati's starting lineup that do not have club options. Those two players are starting goalie Roman Celentanoand starting right back Nick Hagglund. Both are UFAs after the 2027-2028 MLS Season. I have to believe Roman Celentano gets locked up if FC Cincinnati wins an MLS Cup in 2026. I took Inter Miami C.F. over LAFC for my 2025 MLS Cup Prediction, but am leaning FC Cincinnati over the Seattle Sounders for 2026. With how active Inter Miami C.F. has been in the offseason, Inter Miami C.F. is now the favorite to repeat as MLS Cup Champions in 2026 and could very easily repeat next season.
    
    
    
    FC Cincinnati drafted a left back as a replacement to Brad Smith. Ayoub Lajhar played the 2 at left back for Connecticut.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 168 lb Ayoub Lajhar had 1 goal, 7 assists, 9 points, and helped Connecticut record 7 shutouts during his junior season in 2025. Ayoub Lajhar can return to Connecticut for one more season before becoming the backup left back behind Teenage Hadebe who took the starting left back job from an injured Brad Smith. If Hadebe cannot dominate without competition in his first full-time season as a starter, then perhaps competition may be needed for him in 2027.
    
    
    
56. Colorado Rapids: Asher Hestad, D, Washington B+ Grade
    
    
    The crazy thing is if Reggie Cannon moves back to the 2 at left back, Colorado could bring up Asher Hestad right now and start him at the 3 at right back. Asher Hestad plays the 2 at right back and is bigger than most right backs as the Washington sophomore could end up playing center back during his senior season at Washington if the Colorado Rapids let him stay in college for two more years.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 175 lb Asher Hestad had 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 points, and helped Washington record 7 shutouts in 2025. Hestad is big enough to play inside center back. The only thing keeping Hestad outside at right back is that Washington has Harrison Bertos, San Diego FC's 2025 second round pick playing the 4 at sweeper as their main center back with Bertos, a junior having one more year of college eligiblity in 2026 before San Diego FC has to sign him to an MLS contract. Washington also has Egor Akulov a junior redshirt majoring in computer science, that went undrafted also back playing the 5 at center back, and Akulov was higher on my board than Hestad. This means, Asher Hestad will not get the opportunity to play center back until 2027 at the earliest in the event that Colorado does not sign Hestad.
    
    
    
    Asher Hestad could end up being a C+ grade if he doesn't improve from this season. He could also end up being an A+ grade if he starts this season or goes back to Washington and shows he can play multiple roles on defense both outside and inside. For now, I'm giving the Colorado Rapids a B+ grade since this was their best selection outside of the two strikers they took in the top 10 in Billo Diop of the Colorado Rapids 2 MLS Next team and Mitchell Baker the big Georgetown striker.
    
    
    
    
    
57. New York City F.C.: Kevin Pierre, M, Georgia Southern A+ Grade
    
    
    Kevin Pierre can play all three different midfielder positions. Kevin Pierre played the 10 at attacking midfielder in High School, then he transitioned to the 6 at defensive midfielder for the Lander Bearcats a Division 2 school. Georgia Southern recruited Kevin Pierre in the transfer portal after he only started 4 games for Lander after his freshman redshirt season in 2022 ad he's played the 8 at central midfielder with Georgia Southern the past three seasons.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 138 lb Kevin Pierre had the second most minutes among any player on Georgia Southern with 1,484 minutes played and 4 shutouts as a sophomore redshirt in 2023. Kevin Pierre had 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points, 1,147 minutes played, and 5 shutouts as a junior redshirt in 2024. Kevin Pierre had 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points, was third on Georgia Southern with 1,500 minutes played, and helped Georgia Southern record 8 shutouts as a senior redshirt in 2025.
    
    
    
    Kevin Pierre doesn't just have stamina for his consistent amount of minutes played. He's also has the book smarts to compliment his street smarts. What do I mean by that? He made the Sun Belt Academic Commissioners List which is basically the Sun Belt's honor roll for student Athletes two years in a row in 2024 and 2025. It is safe to say his GPA was in the 3.4 to 4.0 range for him to make that list. You have to be very smart to qualify for that list.
    
    
    
    Kevin Pierre's best role is as a defensive midfielder. He can pivot to central midfielder if he excels offensively in MLS Next. He also gives you an insurance plan at attacking midfielder if first round pick Ransford Gyan does not pan out.
    
    
    
    That's why the thought process for drafting Kevin Pierre adds up. It is also why New York City F.C. is getting another A+ grade after extensive research and careful consideration.
    
    
    
58. San Diego FC: Remi Agunbiade, F, Akron A+ Grade
    
    
    San Diego FC needed a guy that could play the 9 at striker. They also need an attacking midfielder. Remi Agunbiade has the versatility to play the 9 at striker and the 10 at attacking midfielder.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Remi Agunbiade had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 2 points as a true freshman in 2024. Remi Agunbiade had 7 goals, 2 assists, and 16 points as a true sophomore in 2025.
    
    
    
    Remi Agunbiade is one of the youngest players in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, as he's only 19-years-old. San Diego FC needed a striker of the future and an attacking midfielder of the future. Agunbiade plays both roles, but he hasn't asserted himself as a guy that can get 10 goals or 10 assists consistently despite shining in his first year as a starter on the Akron Zips.
    
    
    
    Remi has two more years to develop with Akron. He also went to St. Joan Of Arc High School in which is in Barrie, Ontario which is more famous for their NHL Draft prospects than their MLS prospects as Remi Agunbiade became the first MLS player from St. Joan Of Arc High School to get drafted.
    
    
    
    You can argue San Diego FC reached here. They hit on both first round picks last year as an expansion team with their second round pick Harrison Bertos getting the game-winning goal for the Washington Huskies in the 2025 College Cup. I'm giving San Diego FC the benefit of the doubt and rewarding them with a second A grade.
    
    
    
    
    
59. Vancouver Whitecaps: Yeider Zuluaga, M, Seattle U C Grade
    
    
    Yeider Zuluaga was a four year starter at Seattle U. You have to give the Colombian soccer player respect for staying loyal to Seattle U and not entering the transfer portal. The kicker to his story is he got drafted.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 158 Yeider Zuluaga led Kent Meridian High School to the soccer playoffs for the first time in twenty five years prior to enrolling at Seattle U. Yeider Zuluaga was on the WAC All-Freshman team starting 8 games as a freshman in 2022. Yeider Zuluaga had 5 goals, 4 assists, and 14 points in 12 starts as a sophomore getting Second Team All-WAC in 2023. Yeider Zuluaga only had 1 goal, 5 assists, and 7 points as a junior in 2024. Yeider Zuluaga had 9 goals, 5 assists, and 23 points as a senior in 2025.
    
    
    
    Yeider Zuluaga's main position is the 10 at attacking midfielder. His secondary position is at striker, but he's got the ideal size to be an MLS winger.
    
    
    
    A player from Seattle U left the team and entered the transfer portal. I'm not sure who it was, but Vancouver already drafted Zach Ramsey earlier and Zuluaga will require an International spot if he makes the leap to the MLS which is the biggest reason Vancouver got a C grade here. This is still a solid pick though.
    
    
    
    Zuluaga will more than likely be an MLS Next experiment as this is the first International player that the Vancouver Whitecaps have drafted since taking UNC Greensboro International players J.C. Ngando in the first round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft and Theo Collomb in the third round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
    
    
    
60. Inter Miami C.F.: Alex Barger, D, Indiana A+ Grade
    
    
    Miami drafts a left back for depth. One guy that has won consistently playing the 2 as a starting left back is Indiana left back Alex Barger who was the starting left back on Indiana's two Big 10 Championship teams in 2023 and 2024 as Indiana was the runner up to Syracuse in 2023.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 155 lb Alex Barger is getting drafted as an MLS Next starter that can evenutally develop into a quality backup to Sergio Reguilon, a former left back on Tottenham. Alex Barger just finished his junior season at Indiana and will probably return to Indiana for one more season in 2026 before Inter Miami C.F. decides whether or not to offer him a rookie contract.
    
    
    
    I would have given a team that needed a starting left back a significantly worse grade like a C+ grade for taking Barger. He goes to a stacked Inter Miami C.F. team that will give him the time and patience to become the best version of himself which is why I gave Inter Miami C.F. an A+ grade since I love the fit more than anything else.
    
    
    

MLS Draft Process

MLS Draft Prospects

Draft Utopia MLS Draft Database-A database list of MLS Mock Drafts