Round 3

Luka Nikolai was my number one right back in the 2026 MLS Draft. Find out who got him in the third round.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: December 21, 2025.

61. D.C. United: Stephane Njike, F, Maryland A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 176 lb Stephane Njike plays the 11 at left winger. Stephane Njike had 6 goals, 5 assists, and 17 points as a freshman at Long Island in 2024. Stephane Njike had 7 goals, 7 assists, and 21 points with Maryland in 2025.
    
    
    
    D.C. United gets insurance at left winger in case they want to move Richie Aman to attacking midfielder. D.C. United ca also develop Stephane Njike, a player I had a first round grade on at Maryland for the next two years and sign him to push Richie Aman if Aman does not have the success at MLS that he had at Washington this past season.
    
    
    
62. Atlanta United F.C.: Noah James, M, San Diego A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Noah James plays the the 6 at defensive midfielder and the 8 at central midfielder. Noah James had 2 goals, 4 assists, 8 points, helped San Diego record 9 shutouts even after losing his starting goalie in the 2025 MLS Super Draft, and helped San Diego win the 2025 WCC Conference Title game before San Diego lost to Grand Canyon in the round of 32 as a junior in 2025.
    
    
    
    Noah James was a player I had going to Atlanta United F.C. in the second round of my initial final MLS Mock Draft. That was before Atlanta traded their second round pick to Inter Miami C.F. at pick 32. Atlanta still got this first to second round prospect in the third round where he can contribute as a defensive midfielder and join Atlanta United's MLS Next Team as early as this season.
    
    
    
    
    
63. CF Montreal: Tate Lorentz, M, Wake Forest D Grade
    
    
    Tate Lorentz spent his first two years playing the 10 at attacking midfielder. He transferred to Wake Forest in 2025.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 155 lb Tate Lorentz had 6 goals, 5 assists, and 17 points in 2025. Tate Lorentz production feels lackluster compared to Michael Adudoken, the 2024 Hermann Trophy Award winner that CF Montreal ended up cutting after one year after drafting Aduoken in the first round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. CF Montreal has a horrible track record in the SuperDraft whether it is taking Andrew Wenger first overall during their expansion season in 2012, Romario Williams over my number two player Christian Roldan in 2015, they took Grayson Doody who had 0 points tenth overall two years ago in 2024. They traded their first round pick for allocation money and that aged horribly too since F.C. Dallas got Nicholas Simmonds third overall. I'm already preparing for CF Montreal to be the team that picks first overall whenever I decide to make a 2027 MLS Mock Draft.
    
    
    
64. Sporting Kansas City: Blake D'Agostino, F, California Baptist A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 190 lb Blake D'Agostino had 10 goals, 2 assists, 22 points, helped Cal Bapist record 4 shutouts, and was the 2025 WAC Defensive Player Of The Year. Blake D'Agostino also got invited to the 2025 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
    Sporting Kansas City has stability at striker and both winger positions at forward. However, I had a second round grade on Blake D'Agostino making this an excellent selection.
    
    
    
    
    
65. Los Angeles Galaxy: Sebastian Conlon, G, Kentucky A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Sebastian Conlon had 18 goals allowed, a 0.93 goals against average, 56 saves, a .757 save percentage, a 10-4-5 record, and 8 shutouts in 19 starts playing 1,743 minutes with Kentucky in 2025. Sebasitan Conlon was James Madison's goalie before transferring to Kentucky in 2025.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Galaxy needed a backup goalie. This was a top 50 player on my big board making this an excellent draft pick in the third round.
    
    
    
66. F.C. Dallas: Olayinka Ogunleye, D, Louisville A+ Grade
    
    
    F.C. Dallas drafts a center back in the third round. Olayinka Ogunleye is a great center back to stash and develop in the third round. Olayinka Ogunleye can play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 190 lb Olayinka Ogunleye helped Louisville get off to a 5-0 start with 5 shutouts in the first five games. Olayinka Oguneye had 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 points, and helped Louisville record 7 shutouts in 2025.
    
    
    
    
    
67. Minnesota United F.C.: Aiden Bengard, D, Cal State Fullerton A Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 175 lb Aiden Bengard is the son of former fifth round pick and MLS Cup Champion Alex Bengard who was on the 2002 Los Angeles Galaxy drafted by the Los Angles Galaxy. Aiden Bengard is a freshman redshirt, so he has three more years of college eligibility even if Minnesota does not sign him by the time his draft rights with Minnesota United F.C. expire in 2028. Minnesota United F.C. might have until 2029 to sign him and if they do, that makes this an ideal long-term project.
    
    
    
68. New England Revoultion: Kyle McGowan, F, Denver A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Kyle McGowan had 11 goals, 3 assists, 25 points, and won the Summeit League Offensive Player Of The Year for the Denver Pioneers in 2025. Kyle McGowan was the key reason Denver stepped up. Kyle McGowan played the 10 at attacking midfielder in 2024, but successfully transitioned to the 9 at striker in a role that suits him much better at forward in 2025. New England needed a striker in the worst way possible.
    
    
    
    
    
69. Houston Dynamo F.C.: Agustin Resch, D, Seton Hall A Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 205 lb Agustin Resch had 3 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, and helped Seton Hall record 8 shutouts in 2025. Agustin Resch accepted an invite to the 2025 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
70. Colorado Rapids: Koven Johnson, M, High Point A Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 155 lb Koven Johnson can play the 6 at defensive midfielder or the 8 at central midfieldler. Koven Johnson had 1 goal, 0 asissts, 2 points, and helped High Points 8 shutouts in the 17 games he started. He helped High Point record 10 shutouts if you include the 2 gaes he came in off the bench.
    
    
    
    
    
71. New York City F.C.: Joey Mueller, M, Central Florida A+ Grade
    
    
    New York City F.C. took an attacking midfielder in the first round and a central midfielder in the second round. Joey Mueller their first third round pick plays the 6 at defensive midfielder.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 155 lb Joey Mueller had 2 goals, 3 assists, 7 points, and helped Central Florida record 5 shutouts in 2025. Joey Mueller has one more year of NCAA eligibility as he will probably join MLS Next in 2027 assuming New York City F.C. signs him.
    
    
    
72. Los Angeles Galaxy: Jaime Amaro, M, Bryant A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-7 160 lb Jaime Amaro can play the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 8 at central midfielder, and the 10 at attacking midfielder. Jaime Amro is the reason that the Bryant Bulldogs have emerged as a top team in College Soccer this fall.
    
    
    
    Jaime Amaro had 10 goals, 7 assists, 27 points, and helped Bryant record 11 shutouts as Bryant got to the Sweet 16 in the 2025 College Cup despite losing the American East Championship game to Vermont in 2025. I listened to a Jaime Amaro interview on a Bryant Bulldogs college radio station and Amaro told the host of that radio station that guys on the Bryant Bulldogs soccer team are talking about winning a national title in College Soccer after seeing American East conference rival Vermont win the 2024 College Cup as underdogs last year.
    
    
    
    I had a first round grade on Jaime Amaro as this was my top player on Bryant despite his size. This was a superb pick by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the third round.
    
    
    
    
    
73. Real Salt Lake: Brayden Beason, F, San Francisco A Grade
    
    
    Real Salt Lake gets a striker to stash and develop. Brayden Beason can 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.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 175 lb Brayden Beason had 7 goals, 1 assist, and 15 points in 2025. Brayden Beason accepted an invite to the 2025 MLS College Showcase.
    
    
    
74. Orlando City S.C.: Mitch Ferguson, D, Notre Dame A+ Grade
    
    
    Orlando City S.C. drafts the best player on the board in a depth role with their final pick. Mitch Ferguson is a steal at this point in the third round as I mocked him to Orlando City S.C. at 14.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 190 lb Mitch Ferguson had 5 goals, 1 assist, 11 points, and helped Notre Dame record 6 shutouts including a shutout over Big 10 Runner Up Michigan. Mitch Ferguson is the most accurate passer that I've seen at center back since Ethan Barlow was drafted by the Houston Dynamo out of Washington back in the 2021 MLS Super Draft. His size, positioning, and inteligence stands out.
    
    
    
    Mitch Ferguson can score with ease on headers if he is in the right place at the right time. Ferguson scored when Notre Dame upset then number fourteen Oregon State n a 1-0 shutout on August 28th. He also made things extremely difficult when I saw Notre Dame defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers with ease at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
    
    
    
    
    
75. Portland Timbers: Lucas Fernandez Kim, M, Orergon State B Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 173 lb Lucas Fenrandez Kim transferred from UC Davis to Oregon State in 2025. Lucas Fernandez Kim had 2 goals, 4 assists, and 8 points in 2025.
    
    
    
    
    
76. San Diego FC: Kyle Durham, G, Connecticut A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 183 lb Kyle Durham plays the 1 at goalie at Connecticut. Kyle Durham had a 12-5-4 record, 24 goals allowed, a 1.14 goals against average, a .803 save percentage, 8 shutouts, has faced 302 shots, and led Connecticut to the 2025 Big East Championship where they lost to Georgetown before guiding Connecticut to the Sweet 16 where they lost to Maryland in the 2025 College Cup in 2025.
    
    
    
    San Diego didn't need a goalie. Kyle Durham was my top second round goalie and this feels like great value to draft a project goalie as Kyle Durham has two more years of NCAA eligibility before he has to sign with San Diego FC.
    
    
    
77. Austin FC: Patrick Cayelli, M, Penn A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 150 lb Patrick Cayelli had 9 goals, 8 assists, 26 points, and has helped the Penn Quakers record 9 shutouts at midfielder in 2025. Patrick Cayelli has the versatility to play the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 8 at central midfielder, and the 10 at attacking midfielder.
    
    
    
    
    
78. Houston Dynamo F.C.: Austn Brummett, F, Connecticut A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 195 lb Austin Brummett started out at San Diego State, but transferred to Connecticut where he now plays the 9 at striker for the Connecticut Huskies. Austin Brummett had 10 goals, 4 assists, and 24 points for Connecticut in 2025.
    
    
    
79. Columbus Crew: Isaac Heffess, D, North Carolna State A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 175 lb Isaac Heffess complimented Nikola Markovic at center back on North Carolina State's soccer team. Columbus needs multiple center backs, so this is a fantastic value pick. Isaac Heffess had 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, and helepd North Carolina State record 15 shutouts in 2025.
    
    
    
    
    
80. Nashville S.C.: Charles-Emile Brunet, M, SMU A+ Grade
    
    
    Nashville uses this final pick on a defensive midfielder. Charles Emile Bruent was the catalyst of the 2025 ACC Champion, SMU Mustangs.
    
    
    
    Nashville S.C. gets a player that can play the 6 at defesive midfielder in the third round. Coincidentally, Charles-Emile Brunet is a former Academy player for CF Montreal. He has domestic status and will not count as an International player for an American or Canadian MLS team. Charles-Emile Brunet is only a sophomore, but the passing, kicking power, kicking accuracy you want from a midfielder is there.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 145 lb Charles-Emile Brunet had 2 goals, 6 assists, 10 points, and helped SMU record 7 shutouts as their defensive midfielder as a sophomore in 2025. Charles-Emile Brunet was considered the best player on SMU this season after transferring from Central Arkansas to SMU.
    
    
    
    
    
81. Seattle Sounders: Stockton Short, G, Utah Tech D Grade
    
    
    Seattle brought back Stefan Frei and has two quality homegrown goalies. If Seattle wanted a goalie they should have drafted someone that had good tape like Mitch Budler or Jeremi Abonnel over a goalie that had a season ending injury like Stockton Short the Utah Tech goalie that the Seattle Sounders spent a third round pick on.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 180 Stockton Short went 1-2-3 in six starts with 6 goals allowed, a 1.14 goals against average, 24 saves, a .800 save percentage, 1 shutout, and 69 shots faced in 2025. Stockston Short got a season ending injury in the twenty fifth minute of the sixth game which is why he did not play the rest of this season. Stockton Short does have one more season of NCAA eligibility at Utah Tech in 2026 before the Seattle Sounders have to sign him to a contract.
    
    
    
82. Charlotte FC: Jaheim Wickman, G, South Florida C- Grade
    
    
    Jaheim Wickman plays the 1 at goalie. He began his career at Syracuse as the backup on their national championship team in 2022. Jaheim Wickman started at Syracuse in 2023. He missed all of the season with an injury and took a medical redshirt in 2024. Jaheim Wickman transferred to South Florida in 2025.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 177 lb Jaheim Wickman had a 9-3-5 record with a 25 goals allowed, a 1.47 goals against average, 61 saves, a .709 save percentage, 3 shutouts, and 208 shots faced with South Florida in 2025. Jaheim Wickman still has one more season of NCAA eligibility before he has to sign his MLS contract.
    
    
    
    
    
83. Minnesota United F.C.: Michal Mroz, G, Evansville C Grade
    
    
    Minnesota needed a goalie to replace Dayne St. Clair. Michal Mroz was ranked ninety eighth on the Top Drawer Soccer midseason rankings. Minnesota drafted the Evansville sophomore with their third round pick.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 190 lb Michal Mroz had 1,800 minutes played, 19 goals allowed, a 0.95 goals against average, 57 saves, a .750 save percentage, a 7-5-8 record, 6 shutouts, and 204 shots faced. Of the three goalies picked in the third round, Michal Mroz was the most deserving of the trio to get drafted.
    
    
    
    I'm still disappointed that Mitch Budler and Jeremi Abonnel didn't get drafted. Both of those goalies were only 6-0 versus being 6-2 or taller. Abonnel was also 25 turning 26, which probably factored into both of those goalies getting weeded out.
    
    
    
84. LAFC: Iain Wagner, M, San Diego B Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 160 lb Iain Wagner had 9 goals, 4 assists, and 22 points in 2025. He's only a true sophomore and he's someone that LAFC can stash and develop at the NCAA for the next two years.
    
    
    
    
    
85. D.C. United: Lasse Kelp, D, Maryland A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb Lasse Kelp plays both the 4 at sweeper and the 5 at center back from his time with both UMBC and Maryland the college he transferred to this season. Lasse Kelp had 1 goal, 3 assists, 5 points, has helped Maryland record 9 shutouts, and helped Maryland get to the Elite 8 of the 2025 College Cup with a 3-0 shutout over Connecticut in the Sweet 16 before Maryland lost to Washington in the Elite 8 in 2025.
    
    
    
    Lasse Kelp is a senior. He will go straight to D.C. United's MLS Next Team. There's a chance we could see him and Nikola Markovic on the backline at some point. D.C. United came away from the 2026 MLS Super Draft with two center backs that I had first round grades on.
    
    
    
86. Colorado Rapids: Jabari De Coteau, D, Xavier C Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 180 lb Jabari De Coteau had 1 goal, 0 assists, 2 points, and helped Xavier record 4 shutouts in 2025. Jabari De Coteau can return to Xavier for his senior season before signing a rookie contract with the Colorado Rapids in 2026. This is a solid pick, but Jabari De Coteau's four shutouts came against teams that missed the 2025 College Cup.
    
    
    
    
    
87. New York City F.C.: Luca Nikolai, D, North Carolina A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 181 lb Luca Nikolai plays any defensive role regardless of where you plug him whether that is the 2 at left back, the 3 at right back, the 4 at sweeper, the 5 at center back, and the 6 at defensive midfielder. Luca Nikolai had 1 goal, 4 assists, 6 points, and helped James Madison record 5 shutouts during his freshman season in 2023 guiding James Madison to the Sweet 16 in the 2023 College Cup after helping James Madison upset Pittsburgh in the round of 48 before upsetting Georgetown in a 1-0 shutout in the round of 32. Luca Nikolai had 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 points, and helped James Madison record 8 shutouts in 2024.
    
    
    
    Luca Nikolai transferred from James Madison to North Carolina this year. Luca Nikolai had 3 goals, 7 assists, 13 points, and has helped the North Carolina Tar Heels record 8 shutouts in 2025. I saw this guy come into Pittsburgh and give Pittsburgh some problems as a true freshman playing at center back. He moved to right back when he transferred to North Carolina this year. St. Louis City SC will need depth at both center back and right back, so Luca Nikolai is a perfect fit here at 7.
    
    
    
    Luca Nikolai was seventh on our big board. This was a massive steal by New York City F.C. New York City F.C. ended up making the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals and still came away with the sixth and seventh best player. Outside of F.C. Dallas who got my number one and number two player, you can argue New York City F.C. was the biggest winner of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.
    
    
    
88. San Diego FC: Gilberto Rivera, M, San Jose State A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 160 lb Gilberto Rivera had 2 goals, 8 assists, and 12 points in 2025. San Diego FC drafted Gilberto Rivera to be their 10 at attacking midfielder. If Remi Agunbiade their second round pick that they drafted at striker and Gilberto Rivera both pan out, San Diego FC will have their two missing pieces to compete and win an MLS Cup in the future.
    
    
    
    
    
89. Vancouver Whitecaps: Connor Lofy, M, Washington A+ Grade
    
    
    Vancouver drafts a 8 at central midfielder for depth. Connor Lofy is the top central midfielder left on the board in the third round.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 155 lb Connor Lofy had 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 points, and helped Washington record 9 shutouts in 2025. Connor Lofy is another piece on the National champion Washington Huskies team that won the 2025 College Cup.
    
    
    
90. Inter Miami C.F.: Maximilian Kissel, F, Vermont A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 150 lb Maximilian Kissel had 11 goals, 2 assists, and 24 points when Vermont won the 2024 College Cup. Maximilian Kissel was a preseason top ten pick, but he had an underwhelming season with 5 goals, 4 assists, and 14 points in 2025. That's why Maxmilian Kissel was Mr. Irrelevant in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.
    
    
    

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