Every prospect picked in Friday's MLS SuperDraft hopes to make a roster as an impact player in his first season. Unfortunately for most of these players, that will not be the case.
To know this, all you have to do is look at last year's draft class. Below is every draft pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft and how their rookie seasons played out.
Some were on MLS rosters the whole season, some signed with USL teams, and a couple are – for now – completely out of the professional ranks.
In total, 75 players were picked, and here are some stats on what teams (and leagues) they ended up with:
- Made an MLS roster: 35
- Appeared in 1+ MLS games: 23
- Appeared in 10+ MLS games: 11
- Appeared in 20+ MLS games: 7
- Currently on an MLS roster: 23
- Played in USL while on loan from a MLS club: 25
- Signed by a USL club: 30
One season does not a career make; any number of these players could still develop into regular starters or even stars in this league. But just 19 percent of the players picked in last year's SuperDraft made 10 or more appearances in 2016.
The continued expansion of the American game will provide previously unavailable levels of opportunity, which could help them develop into MLS contributors.
But the bottom line remains:
You are unlikely to find instant impact in this year's SuperDraft.
2016 MLS SuperDraft - Round 1
PICK |
CLUB |
PLAYER |
NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
CHI |
<a href="/players/jack-harrison">JACK HARRISON</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>21 games, 4 goals, 7 assists goals with New York City FC</li><li>Finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting</li></ul> |
2 |
PHI |
<a href="/players/joshua-yaro">JOSHUA YARO</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>17 games, 15 starts for Union</li><li>4 games for Bethlehem Steel in USL on loan</li></ul> |
3 |
PHI |
<a href="/players/keegan-rosenberry">KEEGAN ROSENBERRY</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Only outfield player to play every minute in MLS this season</li><li>2 goals, 2 assists with Union</li><li>Finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting</li><li>Called into USMNT January camp</li></ul> |
4 |
CHI |
<a href="http://mlssoccer.com/players/brandon-vincent">BRANDON VINCENT</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>26 games, 24 starts with Fire</li></ul> |
5 |
RSL |
<a href="http://mlssoccer.com/players/OMAR-HOLNESS">OMAR HOLNESS</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>9 games, 3 starts with RSL</li><li>7 games with Real Monarchs while on loan</li></ul> |
6 |
PHI |
<a href="http://mlssoccer.com/players/fabian-herbers">FABIAN HERBERS</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>32 games, 13 starts with Union</li><li>3 goals, 7 assists</li><li>6 games, 2 goals with Bethlehem Steel while on loan</li></ul> |
7 |
ORL |
<a href="http://mlssoccer.com/players/richmond-laryea">RICHMOND LARYEA</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>23 games with Orlando City B while on loan</li></ul> |
8 |
SJ |
<a href="http://mlssoccer.com/players/andrew-tarbell">ANDREW TARBELL</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 1 game with Earthquakes</li></ul> |
9 |
TOR |
<a href="/players/tsubasa-endoh">TSUBASA ENDOH</a><br>
<strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>21 games, 15 starts, 2 goals with Toronto FC</li></ul> |
10 |
NE |
<a href="/players/jordan-mccrary">JORDAN MCCRARY</a> |
<ul><li>1 games on loan with Rochester in USL</li><li>Option declined by Revs following season</li></ul> |
11 |
DC |
<a href="/players/julian-buescher">JULIAN BUESCHER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>20 games, 1 goal, 4 assists with D.C.</li></ul> |
12 |
CHI |
<a href="/players/jonathan-campbell">JONATHAN CAMPBELL</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>33 games, 30 starts with Chicago</li><li>1 goal, 1 assist</li></ul> |
13 |
ORL |
<a href="/players/hadji-barry">HADJI BARRY</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>8 games, 4 starts, 1 assist with Orlando</li><li>10 games, 4 goals, 2 assists with OCB while on loan</li></ul> |
14 |
COL |
<a href="/players/kyle-fisher">KYLE FISHER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 2 games with Montreal</li><li>Appeared in 14 games with FC Montreal while on loan</li></ul> |
15 |
COL |
<a href="/players/emmanuel-appiah">EMMANUEL APPIAH</a> |
<ul><li>2 games with Charlotte Independence while on loan</li><li>Waived by Colorado on June 30</li><li>Signed by Sporting KC on July 12, 1 start</li><li>6 games with Swope Park Rangers while on loan</li><li>Option declined following season</li></ul> |
16 |
VAN |
<a href="/players/cole-seiler">COLE SEILER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 2 games with Whitecaps</li><li>Appeared in 14 games with WFC2 while on loan</li></ul> |
17 |
DAL |
<a href="/players/ryan-herman">RYAN HERMAN</a> |
<ul><li>0 games with Dallas</li><li>Option declined following season</li></ul> |
18 |
NY |
<a href="/players/justin-bilyeu">JUSTIN BILYEU</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 3 games with Red Bulls</li><li>Appeared in 15 games with NYRBII while on loan</li></ul> |
19 |
CLB |
<a href="/players/rodrigo-saravia">RODRIGO SARAVIA</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 10 games with Crew SC</li><li>Appeared in 2 games with Pittsburgh in USL while on loan</li></ul> |
20 |
POR |
<a href="/players/ben-polk">BEN POLK</a> |
<ul><li>25 games, 1 goal while on loan with T2</li><li>Option declined following season</li><li>Signed with Orlando City B in USL for 2017 season</li></ul> |
2016 MLS SuperDraft - Round 2
PICK |
CLUB |
PLAYER |
NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (21) |
CLB |
<a href="/players/chase-minter">CHASE MINTER</a> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 6 games with Sacramento in USL</li><li>Appeared in 3 games with Tulsa in USL</li><li>Signed with Real Monarchs SLC in USL for 2017 season</li></ul> |
2 (22) |
CHI |
<a href="/players/alex-morrell">ALEX MORRELL</a> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 4 games with Chicago</li><li>Appeared in 2 games with Saint Louis FC while on loan</li><li>Option declined following season</li></ul> |
3 (23) |
PHI |
<a href="/players/taylor-washington">TAYLOR WASHINGTON</a> |
<ul><li>28 games with Bethlehem Steel in USL while on loan</li><li>Option declined following season</li><li>Signed with Pittsburgh Riverhounds in USL for 2017 season</li></ul> |
4 (24) |
MTL |
<a href="/players/michael-salazar">MICHAEL SALAZAR</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>17 games, 8 starts, 2 goals for Montreal</li><li>3 games with FC Montreal while on loan</li></ul> |
5 (25) |
RSL |
<a href="/players/max-lachowecki">MAX LACHOWECKI</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Real Monarchs SLC in USL</li><li>Appeared in 26 games with Real Monarchs SLC</li><li>Will return to Monarchs in 2017</li></ul> |
6 (26) |
HOU |
<a href="/players/ivan-magelhaes">IVAN MAGELHAES</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Rio Grande Valley FC in USL</li><li>Appeared in 26 games with RGV FC</li><li>Re-signed for 2017 season</li></ul> |
7 (27) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/tony-alfaro">TONY ALFARO</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 6 games with Sounders</li><li>20 games with S2 in USL while on loan</li></ul> |
8 (28) |
SJ |
<a href="/players/patrick-hodan">PATRICK HODAN</a> |
<ul><li>Attending graduate school</li></ul> |
9 (29) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/christopher-hellmann">CHRISTOPHER HELLMANN</a> |
<ul><li>8 games with Charlotte Independence in USL</li><li>Signed with German Regionalliga Sudwest side FC Astoria Walldorf in June</li></ul> |
10 (30) |
NE |
<a href="/players/michael-gamble">MICHAEL GAMBLE</a> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 1 game with Rochester in USL while on loan</li><li>Waived June 13</li></ul> |
11 (31) |
CLB |
<a href="/players/kyle-parker">KYLE PARKER</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Wilmington Hammerheads in USL</li><li>23 games, 3 goals with Wilmington</li></ul> |
12 (32) |
DC |
<a href="/players/paul-clowes">PAUL CLOWES</a> |
<ul><li>1 game with Richmond while on loan in USL</li><li>Waived by D.C. on May 11</li><li>15 games with Charlotte Independence in USL</li><li>Signed with Orlando City B for 2017 season</li></ul> |
13 (33) |
DAL |
<a href="/players/timo-pitter">TIMO PITTER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>1 game with Dallas</li><li>11 games, 3 goals, 2 assists with OKC Energy FC while on loan</li></ul> |
14 (34) |
MTL |
<a href="/players/eric-verso">ERIC VERSO</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Rio Grande Valley FC in USL</li><li>Appeared in 4 games with RGV FC</li></ul> |
15 (35) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/zach-mathers">ZACH MATHERS</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Sounders 2 in USL</li><li>24 games, 3 goals, 4 assists with S2</li></ul> |
16 (36) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/thomas-sanner">THOMAS SANNER</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC II in USL</li><li>17 games, 4 goals for WFC2</li></ul> |
17 (37) |
COL |
<a href="/players/dennis-castillo">DENNIS CASTILLO</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Colorado on April 22</li><li>2 games with Charlotte in USL while on loan</li></ul> |
18 (38) |
NY |
<a href="/players/zach-carroll">ZACH CARROLL</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with New York Red Bulls II in USL</li><li>28 games with NYRBII</li><li>Named to All-USL Second Team</li><li>Signed with Orlando City B for 2017 season</li></ul> |
19 (39) |
MTL |
<a href="/players/keegan-smith">KEEGAN SMITH</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Orlando City B in USL</li><li>13 games, 1 goal with OCB</li><li>Option declined following season</li></ul> |
20 (40) |
POR |
<a href="/players/neco-brett">NECO BRETT</a> |
<ul><li>28 games, 7 goals, 3 assists with T2 while on loan</li><li>Option declined following season</li></ul> |
21 (41) |
CLB |
<a href="/players/marshall-hollingsworth">MARSHALL HOLLINGSWORTH</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>24 games with Pittsburgh Riverhounds while on loan</li></ul> |
2016 MLS SuperDraft - Round 3
PICK |
CLUB |
PLAYER |
NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (42) |
LA |
<a href="/players/josh-turnley">JOSH TURNLEY</a> |
<ul><li>23 games, 4 assists for LA Galaxy II in USL</li></ul> |
2 (43) |
COL |
<a href="/players/chris-froschauer">CHRIS FROSCHAUER</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Colorado on March 4</li><li>0 games with Rapids</li><li>Waived on June 30</li></ul> |
3 (44) |
PHI |
<a href="/players/mitchell-lurie">MITCHELL LURIE</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Saint Louis FC in USL</li><li>Appeared in 15 games with Saint Louis</li><li>Released following season</li></ul> |
4 (45) |
DAL |
<a href="/players/colin-bonner">COLIN BONNER</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>1 game with Dallas</li><li>15 games, 2 goals for OKC Energy FC in USL while on loan</li></ul> |
5 (46) |
RSL |
<a href="/players/amass-amankona">AMASS AMANKONA</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Real Monarchs SLC in USL</li><li>26 games, 1 goal, 2 assists with Monarchs</li></ul> |
6 (47) |
HOU |
<a href="/players/robert-casner">ROBERT CASNER</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Rio Grande Valley FC in USL</li><li>29 games, 2 goals, 5 assists with RGV FC</li><li>1 game with Dynamo in US Open Cup while on loan</li></ul> |
7 (48) |
ORL |
<a href="/players/antonio-matarazzo">ANTONIO MATARAZZO</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Orlando City B in USL</li><li>Appeared in 7 games with OCB</li><li>Option declined following season</li></ul> |
8 (49) |
SJ |
<a href="/players/kip-colvey">KIP COLVEY</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 4 games with Earthquakes</li><li>6 games with Sacramento Republic FC in USL while on loan</li></ul> |
9 (50) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/james-moberg">JAMES MOBERG</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Real Monarchs SLC in USL</li><li>Appeared in 8 games with Monarchs</li><li>Re-signed with team following season</li></ul> |
10 (51) |
NE |
<a href="/players/femi-hollinger-janzen">FEMI HOLLINGER-JANZEN</a><br><strong>(active MLS player)</strong> |
<ul><li>19 games, 2 goals, 1 assist with Revs</li><li>Selected by Minnesota United FC in Expansion Draft</li></ul> |
11 (52) |
SKC |
<a href="/players/ryan-james">RYAN JAMES</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Rochester Rhinos</li><li>28 games, 1 goal, 2 assists with Rochester</li><li>Option picked up by Rochester for 2017 season</li></ul> |
12 (53) |
LA |
PASSED |
<ul></ul> |
13 (54) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/emir-alihodzic">EMIR ALIHODZIC</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Sounders 2 in USL</li><li>Appeared in 18 games with S2</li></ul> |
14 (55) |
MTL |
<a href="/players/brendan-hines-ike">BRENDAN HINES-IKE</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Orebro in Sweden's Allsvenskan</li><li>Appeared in 17 games with Orebro</li></ul> |
15 (56) |
COL |
<a href="/players/javan-torre">JAVAN TORRE</a> |
<ul><li>Looking to play professional soccer this season after suffering hamstring injury</li></ul> |
16 (57) |
CHI |
<a href="/players/vincent-keller">VINCENT KELLER</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Bahlinger SC in German lower divisions</li></ul> |
17 (58) |
COL |
<a href="/players/bradley-kamdem">BRADLEY KAMDEM</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Rochester Rhinos in USL</li><li>Appeared in 26 games with Rhinos</li><li>Option picked up for 2017 season</li></ul> |
18 (59) |
TOR |
<a href="/players/mitchell-taintor">MITCHELL TAINTOR</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Toronto FC II in USL</li><li>Appeared in 22 games with TFCII</li><li>Option picked up following season</li></ul> |
19 (60) |
CLB |
<a href="/players/vince-cicciarelli">VINCE CICCIARELLI</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Saint Louis FC in USL</li><li>23 games, 5 goals with Saint Louis</li><li>Currently out of contract</li></ul> |
20 (61) |
POR |
<a href="/players/wade-hamilton">WADE HAMILTON</a> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 11 games with Timbers 2 while on loan</li><li>Option declined following season</li></ul> |
2016 MLS SuperDraft - Round 4
PICK |
CLUB |
PLAYER |
NOTES: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (62) |
CHI |
<a href="/players/vincent-mitchell" target="_blank">VINCENT MITCHELL</a> |
<ul><li>Assistant coach with Indiana Fire Juniors</li></ul> |
2 (63) |
COL |
<a href="/players/john-manga" target="_blank">JOHN MANGA</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Pittsburgh Riverhounds on November 15</li></ul> |
3 (64) |
PHI |
<a href="/players/cole-missimo" target="_blank">COLE MISSIMO</a> |
<ul><li>Appeared in 19 games with Bethlehem Steel while on loan</li><li>Option declined by Union following season</li></ul> |
4 (65) |
RSL |
<a href="/players/connor-sparrow" target="_blank">CONNOR SPARROW</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Real Monarchs SLC in USL</li><li>Appeared in 2 games with Monarchs</li><li>Option picked up for 2017 season</li></ul> |
5 (66) |
RSL |
PASSED |
<ul></ul> |
6 (67) |
DC |
<a href="/players/liam-doyle" target="_blank">LIAM DOYLE</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Harrisburg City Islanders</li><li>Appeared in 28 games for Harrisburg</li><li>Signed with Swope Park Rangers in USL for 2017 season</li></ul> |
7 (68) |
ORL |
<a href="/players/tobenna-uzo" target="_blank">TOBENNA UZO</a> |
<ul><li>Played in NPSL with Myrtle Beach Mutiny</li></ul> |
8 (69) |
SJ |
<a href="/players/tyler-thompson" target="_blank">TYLER THOMPSON</a> |
<ul><li>Analyst at North Point Advisors in the Bay Area</li></ul> |
9 (70) |
TOR |
<a href="/players/darius-madison" target="_blank">DARIUS MADISON</a> |
<ul><li>Played with Kitsap Pumas in the NPSL</li></ul> |
10 (71) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/josh-heard" target="_blank">JOSH HEARD</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Bethlehem Steel in USL</li><li>22 games, 2 goals with Bethlehem</li></ul> |
11 (72) |
SKC |
<a href="/players/faik-hajderovic" target="_blank">FAIK HAJDEROVIC</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with NK Lucko in Croatian 2nd division</li></ul> |
12 (73) |
LA |
PASSED |
<ul></ul> |
13 (74) |
DC |
PASSED |
<ul></ul> |
14 (75) |
MTL |
PASSED |
<ul></ul> |
15 (76) |
SEA |
<a href="/players/michael-nelson" target="_blank">MICHAEL NELSON</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Sounders 2 in USL</li><li>Appeared in 19 games with S2</li></ul> |
16 (77) |
VAN |
<a href="/players/tyler-david" target="_blank">TYLER DAVID</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Saint Louis FC in USL</li><li>Appeared in 22 games with Saint Louis</li><li>Option picked up for 2017 season</li></ul> |
17 (78) |
DAL |
<a href="/players/jacob-speed" target="_blank">JACOB SPEED</a> |
<ul><li>Did not play professional soccer in 2016</li></ul> |
18 (79) |
DC |
PASSED |
<ul></ul> |
19 (80) |
TOR |
<a href="/players/brian-james" target="_blank">BRIAN JAMES</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with USL's Toronto FC II</li><li>29 games, 2 goals, 2 assists with TFCII</li><li>Option picked up following season</li></ul> |
20 (81) |
POR |
<a href="/players/trevor-morley" target="_blank">TREVOR MORLEY</a> |
<ul><li>Signed with Timbers 2 in USL</li><li>Appeared in 17 games with T2</li></ul> |
