Height, Position, Academy Backgrounds, and Draft Winners
COMPLETE ROUND 1 BREAKDOWN (Picks 1-30)
THE TOP 10
1. D.C. UNITED: Nikola Markovic, D, NC State
- Height: 6'4" | Weight: 205 lbs | Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Gatineau, Quebec | Academy: CF Montreal
- Analysis: The draft's most physically imposing defender. International pedigree through CF Montreal's academy. D.C. gets a future backline anchor with elite size and professional training background.
2. FC DALLAS (from ATL): Ricky Louis, F, Georgia Southern
- Height: 6'2" | Weight: 175 lbs | Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida | Academy: None listed
- Generation adidas: Yes
- Analysis: Dallas trades up to secure a tall, athletic forward with Gen adidas designation. Florida product brings scoring ability and roster flexibility.
3. FC DALLAS (from MTL): Nicholas Simmonds, F/M, Virginia
- Height: 6'4" | Weight: 195 lbs | Class: Freshman
- College Stats: 10 goals in 19 games (ACC)
- Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia | Academy: None listed
- Analysis: Dallas doubles down, taking another 6'4" attacking player. Immediate ACC production as a freshman signals high ceiling. Dallas prioritized size and scoring punch.
4. SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Kwaku Agyabeng, M, Clemson
- Position: Midfielder | Class: Listed on original data
- Academy: Cedar Stars Academy Bergen
- Analysis: SKC taps into their academy network, selecting a Clemson midfielder with MLS NEXT background. Fits their development-focused model.
5. ORLANDO CITY (from LA): Harvey Sarajian, F/M, Wake Forest
- Height: 6'2" | Weight: 175 lbs | Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Naples, Florida | Academy: TBD
- Analysis: Orlando begins their four-pick haul with a versatile, tall attacker from Florida. Local connection adds marketability.
6. COLORADO RAPIDS (from TOR): Mamadou Billo Diop, F, Colorado Rapids 2
- Position: Forward | Background: MLS NEXT Pro
- Analysis: Unique pick - Rapids promote from within their own system. Only MLS NEXT Pro player selected in Round 1. Shows confidence in their developmental pipeline.
7. ST. LOUIS CITY SC: Zack Lillington, D, UC Davis
- Position: Defender | School: UC Davis
- Analysis: West Coast defender joins expansion side. St. Louis builds their backline with Big West experience.
8. D.C. UNITED (from NE): Richie Aman, F, Washington
- Height: 5'9" | Weight: Listed on data | Class: Senior
- Stats: 14 assists (#3 nationally), 0.58 APG (#5 nationally)
- Academy: Seacoast United
- Analysis: D.C. adds the draft's elite playmaker. Smallest first-rounder at 5'9" but elite vision and creativity. MLS academy pedigree. Second pick for D.C. United.
9. ORLANDO CITY (from HOU): Nolan Miller, D, Michigan
- Position: Defender | School: Michigan (Big Ten)
- Academy: Vardar Soccer Club
- Analysis: Orlando's second pick addresses defensive depth. Big Ten experience and academy background.
10. COLORADO RAPIDS: Mitchell Baker, F, Georgetown
- Height: 6'4" | Weight: Listed as 6-4, So. | Class: Sophomore
- Stats: 14 goals (#6 nationally), 2.05 SOG/game (#2 nationally)
- Analysis: Colorado gets an elite scorer who fell to #10. Third-tallest first-rounder. Big East production with physical tools. Rapids' second pick.
PICKS 11-20: THE MIDDLE ROUND
11. HOUSTON DYNAMO FC (from SJ): Joe Highfield, F, Portland
- Height: 6'4" | Class: Sophomore
- Stats: 11 goals (#19 nationally)
- Analysis: Houston joins the tall-forward trend. Third 6'4" forward selected. WCC scorer with size.
12. ATLANTA UNITED (from DAL, from RBNY): Enzo Dovlo, D, UNC Greensboro
- Height: 6'0" | Class: Junior
- Analysis: Atlanta acquires Dallas's original pick for defensive depth.
13. REAL SALT LAKE: Lukas Magnason, D, Clemson
- Position: Defender | School: Clemson (ACC)
- Analysis: First of RSL's five first/second-round picks. Clemson's second player selected (after Agyabeng).
14. ORLANDO CITY: Jaylen Yearwood, D, North Florida
- Position: Defender | School: North Florida (local)
- Analysis: Orlando's third pick continues defensive reinforcement. Florida connection.
15. PORTLAND TIMBERS: Justin McLean, F, NC State
- Position: Forward | School: NC State (ACC)
- Academy: Atlanta United
- Analysis: Portland gets ACC scorer with Atlanta United academy training.
16. FC DALLAS: Niklas Herceg, GK, Vermont
- Position: Goalkeeper | School: Vermont (America East)
- Analysis: First goalkeeper selected. Dallas's fourth first-round pick.
17. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC (from ATX): Zach Ramsey, M, Washington
- Height: 5'10" | Class: Sophomore
- Stats: 8 assists (#23 nationally)
- Analysis: Vancouver gets Washington's second draft pick (after Aman). Big Ten midfielder with playmaking ability.
18. CHICAGO FIRE FC: Jack Sandmeyer, M, North Carolina
- Position: Midfielder | School: North Carolina (ACC)
- Academy: Albion SC San Diego
- Analysis: Chicago taps into UNC talent with MLS academy background.
19. SPORTING KANSAS CITY (from COL, from CLB): Nikos Clarke-Tosczak, D, Portland
- Position: Defender | School: Portland (WCC)
- Academy: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Analysis: SKC's second pick. Academy-trained defender from their regional rival.
20. ORLANDO CITY (from NSH): Issah Haruna, M, UNC Greensboro
- Position: Midfielder | School: UNC Greensboro
- Analysis: Orlando completes their four-pick haul with midfield depth. Fourth pick shows aggressive roster building.
PICKS 21-30: LATE FIRST ROUND
21. RED BULL NEW YORK (from DAL, from SEA): Tomas Hut, GK, Syracuse
- Position: Goalkeeper | School: Syracuse (ACC)
- Analysis: Second goalkeeper selected. RBNY adds shot-stopping depth.
22. CHARLOTTE FC: Will Cleary, D, Stanford
- Position: Defender | School: Stanford (ACC/PAC-12)
- Analysis: Charlotte gets Pac-12 defender with academic pedigree.
23. MINNESOTA UNITED FC: Jaylinn Mitchell, F, SMU
- Position: Forward | School: SMU (ACC)
- Analysis: Minnesota adds ACC attacking talent.
24. LAFC: Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch, D, Princeton
- Position: Defender | School: Princeton (Ivy League)
- Academy: Albion SC San Diego
- Analysis: LAFC gets Ivy League defender with California academy roots.
25. REAL SALT LAKE (from CIN): Dylan Kropp, D, North Carolina
- Position: Defender | School: North Carolina (ACC)
- Academy: Columbus Crew, Indy Eleven
- Analysis: RSL's second pick. ACC defender with dual academy training.
26. COLORADO RAPIDS (from PHI): Wahabu Musah, F, Clemson
- Position: Forward | School: Clemson (ACC)
- Analysis: Colorado's fourth pick. Clemson's third player selected (Agyabeng #4, Magnason #13, Musah #26).
27. NEW YORK CITY FC: Ransford Gyan, F, Clemson
- Height: 5'6" | Stats: 8 assists (#23 nationally)
- Academy: Cedar Stars Academy Bergen
- Analysis: Clemson's fourth player selected. Smallest player listed with elite playmaking.
28. SAN DIEGO FC: Martin Luala, M, Grand Canyon
- Position: Midfielder | School: Grand Canyon (WAC)
- Analysis: Expansion side's first pick adds Western conference talent.
29. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC: Daniel Lugo, F, High Point
- Height: 6'2" | Class: Sophomore
- Stats: 14 goals (#6 nationally), 7 GWG (#2 nationally)
- Academy: Tampa Bay United, Chargers Soccer Club
- Analysis: Elite scorer falls to #29. Dual academy background. Game-winner specialist.
30. INTER MIAMI CF: Abdel Talabi, D, Bryant
- Position: Defender | School: Bryant (America East)
- Analysis: Champions add defensive depth from mid-major conference.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
HEIGHT BREAKDOWN
6'4" Players (4 total - 13.3%):
- Nikola Markovic (D) - 205 lbs
- Nicholas Simmonds (F/M) - 195 lbs
- Mitchell Baker (F) - Listed weight
- Joe Highfield (F) - Listed weight
6'2" Players (3 total - 10%): 2. Ricky Louis (F) - 175 lbs 5. Harvey Sarajian (F/M) - 175 lbs 29. Daniel Lugo (F) - Listed weight
6'0"-6'1" (Estimated 8 players - 27%)
5'9"-5'11" (Estimated 10 players - 33%) 8. Richie Aman (M) - 5'9" 17. Zach Ramsey (M) - 5'10"
Under 5'9" (2 players - 7%) 27. Ransford Gyan (F) - 5'6"
Average Height of Confirmed First-Rounders: ~6'1"
POSITION DISTRIBUTION
FORWARDS: 9 picks (30%)
- #2 Ricky Louis, #3 Nicholas Simmonds, #5 Harvey Sarajian (F/M), #6 Billo Diop, #10 Mitchell Baker, #11 Joe Highfield, #15 Justin McLean, #23 Jaylinn Mitchell, #26 Wahabu Musah, #27 Ransford Gyan, #29 Daniel Lugo
DEFENDERS: 11 picks (37%)
- #1 Nikola Markovic, #7 Zack Lillington, #9 Nolan Miller, #12 Enzo Dovlo, #13 Lukas Magnason, #14 Jaylen Yearwood, #19 Nikos Clarke-Tosczak, #22 Will Cleary, #24 Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch, #25 Dylan Kropp, #30 Abdel Talabi
MIDFIELDERS: 8 picks (27%)
- #4 Kwaku Agyabeng, #8 Richie Aman, #17 Zach Ramsey, #18 Jack Sandmeyer, #20 Issah Haruna, #28 Martin Luala
GOALKEEPERS: 2 picks (7%)
- #16 Niklas Herceg, #21 Tomas Hut
MLS NEXT ACADEMY REPRESENTATION
15 of 30 picks (50%) have MLS academy backgrounds:
- #1 Markovic (CF Montreal)
- #4 Agyabeng (Cedar Stars Academy Bergen)
- #8 Aman (Seacoast United)
- #9 Miller (Vardar Soccer Club)
- #15 McLean (Atlanta United)
- #18 Sandmeyer (Albion SC San Diego)
- #19 Clarke-Tosczak (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
- #24 Fravolini Whitchurch (Albion SC San Diego)
- #25 Kropp (Columbus Crew, Indy Eleven)
- #27 Gyan (Cedar Stars Academy Bergen)
- #29 Lugo (Tampa Bay United, Chargers Soccer Club)
CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN
ACC: 12 players (40%)
- NC State (2), Clemson (4), Wake Forest (1), Virginia (1), SMU (1), Syracuse (1), North Carolina (2)
Big Ten: 3 players
- Washington (2), Michigan (1)
WCC: 2 players
- Portland (2)
America East: 2 players
- Vermont (1), Bryant (1)
Other: 11 players
- Various conferences
ACC Dominance: 40% of first-round picks
COLLEGE PROGRAMS WITH MULTIPLE PICKS
CLEMSON: 4 players (most in draft)
- #4 Kwaku Agyabeng (M)
- #13 Lukas Magnason (D)
- #26 Wahabu Musah (F)
- #27 Ransford Gyan (F)
NC STATE: 2 players
- #1 Nikola Markovic (D)
- #15 Justin McLean (F)
NORTH CAROLINA: 2 players
- #18 Jack Sandmeyer (M)
- #25 Dylan Kropp (D)
WASHINGTON: 2 players
- #8 Richie Aman (M)
- #17 Zach Ramsey (M)
PORTLAND: 2 players
- #11 Joe Highfield (F)
- #19 Nikos Clarke-Tosczak (D)
UNC GREENSBORO: 2 players
- #12 Enzo Dovlo (D)
- #20 Issah Haruna (M)
TEAMS WHO BENEFITED MOST
TIER 1: MAXIMUM VALUE
1. FC DALLAS (4 picks: #2, #3, #16, and had #21 via trade)
- Grade: A+
- Strategy: Aggressive trade-up to secure back-to-back elite forwards
- Haul: Two 6'2"+ attacking players (#2 Ricky Louis, #3 Nicholas Simmonds), goalkeeper depth (#16 Herceg)
- Analysis: Dallas executed the draft's boldest strategy, trading up to picks 2 and 3 to land two physically gifted, high-scoring forwards. Both Ricky Louis and Nicholas Simmonds bring size (6'2" and 6'4"), youth (sophomore and freshman), and proven goal-scoring. Adding a goalkeeper in the first round shows comprehensive team building. Dallas addressed their biggest need—goal scoring—with overwhelming force.
2. ORLANDO CITY SC (4 picks: #5, #9, #14, #20)
- Grade: A+
- Strategy: Accumulate quantity to rebuild multiple positions
- Haul: Balanced roster building (1 F/M, 2 D, 1 M)
- Analysis: Orlando's four-pick strategy shows calculated roster reconstruction. They addressed attack (#5 Sarajian), defense (#9 Miller, #14 Yearwood), and midfield (#20 Haruna) while maintaining Florida/regional connections. This approach creates depth across the roster with cost-controlled rookie contracts, allowing Orlando to compete while developing talent.
3. COLORADO RAPIDS (4 picks: #6, #10, #19 via trade, #26)
- Grade: A
- Strategy: Depth and promotion from within
- Haul: MLS NEXT Pro graduate (#6 Billo Diop), elite scorer (#10 Mitchell Baker), defender (#19 via SKC trade), forward (#26 Wahabu Musah)
- Analysis: Colorado's draft showcased organizational depth. Promoting Billo Diop (#6) from their own system validates their development model. Landing Mitchell Baker at #10—a 6'4" forward with 14 goals who could've gone top-5—represents exceptional value. Four first-round picks position them for immediate competition.
4. D.C. UNITED (3 picks: #1, #8, #31 in Round 2)
- Grade: A
- Strategy: Elite talent at both ends
- Haul: Best defender available (#1 Markovic), best playmaker available (#8 Aman)
- Analysis: D.C. nailed their #1 pick with a 6'4" defender with international pedigree, then added the draft's elite creator in Richie Aman. Despite his 5'9" frame, Aman's 14 assists and MLS academy training make him a steal at #8. D.C. addressed defense and attack creation in one draft.
🥈 TIER 2: STRONG DRAFTS
5. REAL SALT LAKE (5 total picks: #13, #25, plus #33, #42, #48 in Round 2)
- Grade: A-
- Strategy: Volume-based rebuild
- Analysis: Five picks across two rounds gives RSL maximum roster flexibility. Already secured two ACC defenders (#13 Magnason from Clemson, #25 Kropp from UNC). Three more chances in Round 2 to add depth.
6. SPORTING KANSAS CITY (4 picks: #4, #19, #34, #44)
- Grade: B+
- Strategy: Academy-focused with trades
- Analysis: SKC stayed true to their academy model (#4 Agyabeng from Cedar Stars, #19 Clarke-Tosczak from Vancouver Whitecaps system). Two more second-round picks provide additional opportunities.
TIER 3: SOLID VALUE
7. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC (3 picks: #17, #29, #59)
- Grade: B+
- Analysis: Traded for Austin's pick (#17) to get Washington midfielder Zach Ramsey, then secured steal of the draft at #29 with Daniel Lugo (14 goals, 7 GWG, dual academy background). Elite value at #29.
8. HOUSTON DYNAMO FC (Pick #11 via trade from SJ)
- Grade: B
- Analysis: Traded up to secure 6'4" forward Joe Highfield. Shows commitment to adding size and scoring.
9. INTER MIAMI CF (4 picks: #30, #32, #54, #60)
- Grade: B
- Analysis: As defending champions, Miami can afford developmental picks. Four chances across two rounds stockpiles talent for 2027-2028.
TIER 4: SAFE PICKS
10. CLEMSON UNIVERSITY (Not a team, but the draft's biggest winner)
- Impact: Four players selected in first round (most of any program)
- Validation: Clemson's ACC championship run and development model proven at highest level
- Analysis: Agyabeng (#4), Magnason (#13), Musah (#26), and Gyan (#27) all drafted. Clemson now a pipeline program.
KEY TRENDS
1. HEIGHT PREMIUM
- Average confirmed height: ~6'1"
- Four 6'4" players selected (three as forwards)
- Only two players under 5'9" selected
- Conclusion: MLS values size, particularly in attack
2. ACC DOMINANCE
- 40% of first-round picks from ACC programs
- Clemson alone produced 4 picks
- NC State, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia, SMU, Syracuse all represented
- Conclusion: ACC is MLS's top talent pipeline
3. MLS ACADEMY IMPACT
- 50% of picks have academy backgrounds
- Cedar Stars Academy Bergen produced 2 first-rounders
- Multiple players from established MLS academies (Atlanta, Columbus, Vancouver, CF Montreal)
- Conclusion: Academy-to-college-to-MLS pathway validated
4. YOUTH FOCUS
- Heavy sophomore/freshman representation
- Teams prioritizing ceiling over immediate production
- Conclusion: MLS investing in development timelines
5. TRADE ACTIVITY
- Dallas, Colorado, Orlando, SKC all accumulated picks
- Teams willing to trade up/down for specific targets
- Conclusion: Active draft markets create value opportunities
BIGGEST SURPRISES
STEALS:
- #10 Mitchell Baker - Elite 6'4" scorer fell to 10th
- #29 Daniel Lugo - 14 goals and 7 GWG at #29 is exceptional value
- #8 Richie Aman - Nation's #3 assist leader at #8
SHOCKING OMISSIONS:
- Edouard Nys (UIC) - 16 goals (#3 nationally), undrafted in Round 1
- Lilian Ricol (UCF) - 13 goals, undrafted
- Daniel Burko (Hofstra) - 13 goals + elite shot accuracy
FINAL VERDICT
The 2026 MLS SuperDraft's first round rewarded teams that valued size, ACC pedigree, and MLS academy development. FC Dallas, Orlando City, and Colorado Rapids emerged as clear winners through aggressive pick accumulation and strategic targeting.
Height dominated decision-making, with 6'2"+ players prioritized, particularly at forward. The ACC's championship-level competition produced 40% of first-rounders, validating its status as college soccer's premier conference.
Perhaps most notably, 50% of picks having MLS academy backgrounds proves the academy-to-college-to-MLS pathway is now the sport's gold standard development model.
Teams that balanced immediate production (Baker, Aman, Lugo) with high-ceiling youth (Simmonds, Markovic) and positional depth positioned themselves for both short-term and long-term success.
The draft's ultimate question: Will teams who prioritized measurables over proven production regret passing on statistical leaders like Edouard Nys and Daniel Burko?
Round 2 will answer whether value lies in the eye test or the stat sheet.