Complete Analysis of Picks 31-60: Who Filled What Gaps
THE BIGGEST STORY: EDOUARD NYS FINALLY DRAFTED
Pick #40 - FC Dallas: Edouard Nys, M, Illinois Chicago
Height: 5'8" | Stats: 16 goals (#3 nationally among draft-eligible), 5.50 shots/game (#1), 2.72 SOG/game (#1)
Analysis: The draft's most productive scorer fell to #40—a shocking slide for the nation's third-leading goal scorer. Dallas gets the steal of the draft, adding elite offensive production to complement their tall forwards from Round 1 (Louis 6'2", Simmonds 6'4"). Nys's size (5'8") clearly scared teams, but Dallas now has a player who consistently gets shots off and converts at high rates. Gap Filled: Creative goal-scoring midfielder
ROUND 2 COMPLETE BREAKDOWN
STATISTICAL LEADERS SELECTED
GOALKEEPERS:
37. ST. LOUIS CITY SC: Andrew Samuels, GK, Princeton
Stats: 12 shutouts (T-2 nationally), 0.370 GAA (#1), 0.897 Save% (#1)
Analysis: The draft's best statistical goalkeeper went 37th overall. St. Louis gets elite shot-stopping after drafting defender Lillington in Round 1. Gap Filled: Starting goalkeeper
FORWARDS - TOP SCORERS:
47. AUSTIN FC: Stefan Dobrijevic, F, Akron
Height: 6'2" | Stats: 12 assists (#5 nationally)
Analysis: Austin finally addresses their attack with a dual-threat forward from championship-pedigree Akron. At 6'2" with elite playmaking (12 assists), Dobrijevic can create and finish. Gap Filled: Target forward with vision
45. PORTLAND TIMBERS: Colin Griffith, F, Maryland
Academy: Players Development Academy
Analysis: Portland adds Maryland attacking talent with MLS academy training. Gap Filled: Forward depth
53. MINNESOTA UNITED: Bardia Hormozi, F, Princeton
Academy: Bethesda SC
Analysis: Minnesota takes Ivy League forward with DMV academy roots. Gap Filled: Attacking depth
54. INTER MIAMI CF: Mamadi Jiana, F, Bryant
Academy: Boston Bolts
Analysis: Champions add America East forward with New England academy background. Gap Filled: Developmental forward
58. SAN DIEGO FC: Remi Agunbiade, F, Akron
Analysis: Expansion side gets Akron forward depth. Gap Filled: Forward rotation
59. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS: Yeider Zuluaga, F, Seattle
Analysis: Local connection—Seattle University forward joins Vancouver. Gap Filled: Pacific Northwest forward
MIDFIELDERS - PLAYMAKERS:
31. D.C. UNITED: Isaac Emojong, M, Utah Valley
Academy: Sacramento Republic FC, Barca Residency Academy
Analysis: D.C.'s third pick adds Western midfielder with dual academy training. Strong developmental pedigree. Gap Filled: Midfield depth behind Aman
32. INTER MIAMI CF: Kenan Hot, M, Duke
Academy: Red Bull New York, New York City FC
Analysis: Champions get ACC midfielder with dual NYC academy background. Elite developmental pipeline. Gap Filled: Midfield rotation
34. SPORTING KC: Sadam Masereka, F, Maryland
Analysis: SKC adds Big Ten forward to their academy-heavy roster. Gap Filled: Forward depth
40. FC DALLAS: Edouard Nys, M, UIC (Already covered above)
42. REAL SALT LAKE: Jefferson Amaya, M, High Point
Analysis: RSL's second Round 2 pick adds Big South midfielder. Gap Filled: Midfield depth
43. ST. LOUIS CITY SC (from ORL): Cooper Forcellini, M, Xavier
Stats: 10 goals, 0.613 shot accuracy (#3 nationally)
Analysis: St. Louis trades for Orlando's pick to get elite finishing midfielder. Third-best shot accuracy nationally means high conversion rate. Gap Filled: Box-to-box goal-scoring midfielder
44. FC DALLAS (from SKC): Umberto Pela, M, Virginia
Analysis: Dallas's fourth Round 2 pick (!) adds ACC midfielder depth. Gap Filled: Midfield rotation
46. CF MONTRÉAL: Aidan Godinho, M, Georgetown
Academy: Orlando City
Analysis: Montreal gets Big East midfielder with Orlando City academy background. Gap Filled: Midfield creation
49. COLUMBUS CREW: Tarun Karumanchi, M, UCLA
Analysis: Crew add Pac-12 midfielder. Gap Filled: Midfield depth
51. SEATTLE SOUNDERS: Joe Dale, M, Washington
Analysis: Local pick—Washington midfielder stays in Pacific Northwest. Gap Filled: Homegrown-style depth
57. NYC FC: Kevin Pierre, M, Georgia Southern
Analysis: NYC adds Sun Belt midfielder. Gap Filled: Midfield rotation
DEFENDERS:
33. REAL SALT LAKE: Tre Wright, D, UCLA
Analysis: RSL's first Round 2 pick addresses defensive depth with Pac-12 talent. Gap Filled: Center back depth
35. LA GALAXY: Palmer Bank, D, Stanford
Analysis: Galaxy get Pac-12 defender from elite academic program. Gap Filled: Defensive depth
36. TORONTO FC: Jackson Gilman, D, Pittsburgh
Academy: Philadelphia Union
Analysis: TFC adds ACC defender with Philly Union academy training. Gap Filled: Backline reinforcement
38. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: Schinieder Mimy, D, UCLA
Analysis: Revs cross-country for Pac-12 defender. Gap Filled: Center back
39. HOUSTON DYNAMO: Calem Tommy, D, NC State
Stats: 8 assists (#23 nationally for a DEFENDER)
Analysis: Houston gets ball-playing defender with elite distribution for his position. Gap Filled: Possession-oriented center back
41. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Jack Jasinski, D, Princeton
Academy: Philadelphia Union
Analysis: Quakes get Ivy League defender with Philly Union academy roots. Gap Filled: Technical defender
48. REAL SALT LAKE: Niklas Soerensen, D, Pittsburgh
Analysis: RSL's third Round 2 pick continues defensive reinforcement. Gap Filled: Defensive depth
50. NASHVILLE SC: Max Miller, D, Kentucky
Academy: FC Cincinnati
Analysis: Nashville adds SEC defender with in-state academy background. Gap Filled: Center back depth
52. CHARLOTTE FC: Luke Adams, D, Tulsa
Analysis: Charlotte adds American Athletic defender. Gap Filled: Backline depth
55. FC CINCINNATI: Ayoub Lajhar, D, UConn
Analysis: Cincy gets Big East defender to shore up backline. Gap Filled: Center back
56. COLORADO RAPIDS: Asher Hestad, D, Washington
Academy: Seattle Sounders FC
Analysis: Colorado's fifth Round 2 pick (!) gets Sounders academy product. Gap Filled: Developmental defender
60. INTER MIAMI CF: Alex Barger, D, Indiana
Analysis: Champions' third Round 2 pick adds Big Ten defender. Gap Filled: Depth piece
TEAMS WHO MAXIMIZED ROUND 2
FC DALLAS: THE ROUND 2 KINGS (4 PICKS!)
Picks: #40, #44, plus inherited picks from trades
#40 Edouard Nys, M, UIC - STEAL OF THE DRAFT
#44 Umberto Pela, M, Virginia - ACC midfielder
Draft Summary (Rounds 1+2):
Round 1: #2 Ricky Louis (F, 6'2"), #3 Nicholas Simmonds (F, 6'4"), #16 Niklas Herceg (GK)
Round 2: #40 Edouard Nys (M, 5'8"), #44 Umberto Pela (M)
Analysis: Dallas executed the draft's most aggressive strategy. They secured two tall forwards in Round 1, then added the nation's most productive goal-scoring midfielder in Round 2. The contrast is brilliant: tall target forwards (Louis 6'2", Simmonds 6'4") paired with a small, technical creator (Nys 5'8") who led the nation in shots and shots on goal. Add goalkeeper depth and another ACC midfielder, and Dallas built a complete roster refresh.
Gaps Filled: Starting forwards (2), goalkeeper, creative midfielder, midfield depth
Grade: A+
🥈 REAL SALT LAKE: VOLUME STRATEGY (3 Round 2 picks)
Picks: #33, #42, #48
#33 Tre Wright, D, UCLA - Pac-12 defender
#42 Jefferson Amaya, M, High Point - Midfield depth
#48 Niklas Soerensen, D, Pittsburgh - ACC defender
Draft Summary (Rounds 1+2):
Round 1: #13 Lukas Magnason (D, Clemson), #25 Dylan Kropp (D, UNC)
Round 2: #33 Tre Wright (D), #42 Jefferson Amaya (M), #48 Niklas Soerensen (D)
Analysis: RSL's five-pick strategy focused heavily on defense (4 of 5 picks). They've built an entirely new defensive corps with ACC (Magnason, Kropp, Soerensen), Pac-12 (Wright), and one midfielder (Amaya). This suggests defensive struggles in 2025 prompted a complete backline rebuild.
Gaps Filled: Center backs (4), defensive midfield (1)
Grade: A- (would be A+ if they added attacking talent)
ST. LOUIS CITY SC: SMART VALUE (2 picks)
Picks: #37, #43 (from ORL)
#37 Andrew Samuels, GK, Princeton - Nation's best statistical keeper
#43 Cooper Forcellini, M, Xavier - Elite finishing midfielder
Draft Summary (Rounds 1+2):
Round 1: #7 Zack Lillington (D, UC Davis)
Round 2: #37 Andrew Samuels (GK), #43 Cooper Forcellini (M)
Analysis: St. Louis hit on every pick. Round 1 defender, then the draft's best goalkeeper (#37), then traded for Orlando's pick to get Forcellini—a midfielder with the third-best shot accuracy nationally. They addressed three key positions with quality starters.
Gaps Filled: Center back, starting goalkeeper, goal-scoring midfielder
Grade: A
TIER 2: STRONG ROUND 2 EXECUTIONS
INTER MIAMI CF (3 picks: #32, #54, #60)
#32 Kenan Hot, M, Duke - Dual NYC academy (RBNY, NYCFC)
#54 Mamadi Jiana, F, Bryant - Boston Bolts academy
#60 Alex Barger, D, Indiana - Big Ten defender
Analysis: As champions, Miami can afford long-term developmental picks. All three have MLS academy backgrounds, fitting their pipeline model. Grade: B+
AUSTIN FC (Pick #47)
#47 Stefan Dobrijevic, F, Akron - 12 assists, 6'2", dual threat
Analysis: After missing Round 1 (traded to Vancouver), Austin addressed their biggest need—goal-scoring—with a championship-proven forward who can create (12 assists) and finish. Grade: A- for addressing clear gap
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC (Pick #39)
#39 Calem Tommy, D, NC State - Defender with 8 assists
Analysis: After trading up in Round 1 for forward Joe Highfield, Houston added a ball-playing defender with elite distribution. Grade: B+
COLUMBUS CREW (Pick #49)
#49 Tarun Karumanchi, M, UCLA
Analysis: Defending champions add Pac-12 midfielder for depth. Grade: B
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
POSITION DISTRIBUTION (Round 2)
DEFENDERS: 13 picks (43%)
Higher than Round 1's 37%, suggesting teams felt defense was deeper in Round 2
MIDFIELDERS: 11 picks (37%)
Up from Round 1's 27%, showing midfield value in second round
FORWARDS: 5 picks (17%)
Down dramatically from Round 1's 30%, confirming forwards went early
GOALKEEPERS: 1 pick (3%)
Andrew Samuels was the only GK selected despite elite stats
MLS NEXT ACADEMY REPRESENTATION (Round 2)
Academy Players: 10 of 30 (33%)
Down from Round 1's 50%
Notable academies: Red Bull NY, NYCFC, Philadelphia Union, Orlando City, Seattle Sounders, Sacramento Republic, Barca Residency, Boston Bolts, Players Development Academy, Bethesda SC
CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN (Round 2)
ACC: 9 players (30%)
Still dominant but down from Round 1's 40%
NC State, Duke, Maryland (2), Virginia (2), Pittsburgh (2), Georgetown
Pac-12/Big West: 6 players (20%)
UCLA (3), Stanford, Washington (2)
West Coast representation increased
Big Ten: 3 players
Maryland, Indiana, Washington
Ivy League: 3 players
Princeton (3) - Strong showing
Big East: 3 players
Xavier, Georgetown, UConn
HEIGHT ANALYSIS (Confirmed)
Notable Heights:
Edouard Nys: 5'8" (shortest pick, highest scorer)
Stefan Dobrijevic: 6'2"
Most defenders appear to be 6'0"+
Trend: Round 2 still favored size but allowed more skill-based smaller players like Nys
BIGGEST GAPS FILLED
GOALKEEPER CRISIS SOLVED
St. Louis landed the nation's best statistical goalkeeper (#37 Andrew Samuels):
#1 GAA (0.370)
#1 Save% (0.897)
T-2 Shutouts (12)
This is a starting-caliber goalkeeper at pick #37—exceptional value.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH
Real Salt Lake built an entire new backline:
Four defenders drafted (Magnason, Kropp, Wright, Soerensen)
Mix of ACC and Pac-12 talent
Addressed clear defensive gaps
Toronto FC, Houston, New England, Charlotte, FC Cincinnati all added center back depth
CREATIVE MIDFIELD
FC Dallas solved their creation issue:
Edouard Nys (16 goals, elite shot volume)
Umberto Pela (ACC experience)
D.C. United added depth behind Richie Aman:
Isaac Emojong (dual academy background)
FORWARD DEPTH
Austin FC finally got their striker:
Stefan Dobrijevic (6'2", 12 assists, Akron champion)
Portland, Minnesota, Miami, San Diego, Vancouver all added forward depth
SHOCKING OMISSIONS (Still Undrafted After Round 2)
Lilian Ricol, UCF - 13 goals
Daniel Burko, Hofstra - 13 goals, #2 shot accuracy
Arnold Matshazi, San Jose St. - 12 goals
Austin Brummett, UConn - 10 goals, MLS academy
Daniel D'Ippolito, Fordham - 9 assists
Giacomo Zizza, Lehigh - 9 assists
Taig Healy, NC State - 8 assists, MLS academy
These players will be Round 3 targets or potential post-draft signings.
ROUND 2 MVP: EDOUARD NYS
Falling to pick #40 with 16 goals, nation-leading shot volume, and elite production represents the draft's biggest value. FC Dallas gets a proven goal-scorer who can unlock defenses their tall forwards attract. If Nys proves size doesn't matter at MLS level, Dallas gets a potential All-Star at pick #40.
FINAL VERDICT
Round 2 proved that statistical production matters when physical tools are less overwhelming. Teams that prioritized:
✅ Proven college performance (Nys, Dobrijevic, Samuels, Forcellini)
✅ MLS academy development (33% still had academy backgrounds)
✅ Positional need over best available (43% defenders)
...found immediate contributors at discount prices.
Winners: FC Dallas (4 picks, including Nys steal), Real Salt Lake (volume strategy), St. Louis (quality over quantity)
Key Trend: The goalkeeper position is undervalued—Andrew Samuels at #37 with nation's best stats suggests teams don't prioritize the position until late.