MLS SuperDraft 2021 At A Glance

This year, the 2021 MLS SuperDraft consists of 176 eligible college soccer players. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this year interesting for draft prospects due to the lack of games for safety sake. The ACC and SEC were the only college regions to go ahead and play some games this past year. That shortens the list to 39 players who were able to show their skill and talent in competitive soccer in 2020. Out of the players eligible, there are 56 defenders, 51 midfielders, 50 forwards and 19 goalkeepers. The Revolution organization saw one of those players early and contracted defender Michael DeShields from Wake Forest to Revolution II. The MLS recently announced two more signings of MLS Generation Adidas contracts, climbing that number to a total of five. Daniel Pereira , Calvin Harris, Philip Mayaka, Bret Halsey and Ethan Barlow are the names that grace that list.

Speaking of Generation Adidas…

For the Revolution, the past two years of the MLS SuperDraft and Generation Adidas contracts have gone a long way. New England drafted both Henry Kessler last year and Tajon Buchanan in 2019. We have all seen the talent and great play that those two players bring to the Revolution. A few more in the past decade, Teal Bunbury (with Kansas City Wizards), Andrew Farrell and recently out-of-contract Kelyn Rowe. Looking back, there aren’t many years that the Revolution didn’t pick a player on a Generation Adidas or Project-40 contract. Some players of great importance on that list are Clint Dempsey, Rusty Pierce, Shaker Asad, Jamar Beasley and there are many others.

Positions Of Need For The Revolution

As it stands for New England, there are 22 players contracted to the team out of a total possible of 30. For the Revolution II team, they only have 14 players contracted to the team, with a total possible of 30 as well. The USL League One doesn’t have very many roster rules like the MLS does. Currently, the only real restriction is capping international spots at seven. Obviously, the USL League One team has some holes to fill. It is very likely that the second and third round draft picks that the senior team hold go to Revs II. Those picks currently sit at the 51st and 78th overall, both the 24th pick in their respective rounds.

I’d like to think that the 51st and 78th spots go to forwards for Revolution II. They only have two players contracted to the team who play up front. One of which is a winger, a position which the senior team is lacking depth in as the roster currently stands. The 1st round, 24th pick for me, is slated to go to a defender, whether it’s a center back or wing back. There is a great selection of defenders in the draft. In total, there are around 50 or more draftees in each position besides goalkeeper.

Top 3 Players For The First Round Pick

For me, the glaring need is a center back, but I can also see a wing-back being used for the spot. I personally think SBI has got this one wrong having him go in the 2nd round. For my third player, I would choose left-back Musa Qongo from Creighton University. He is a speedy, wing back with the ability to make pinpoint crosses. His assists with Creighton should have been much higher in 2019, as he was hitting players with an amazing accuracy. He also makes great moves to be able to open up midfielders for creative runs into the box. Also, for an extra connection to the Revolution, his coach at Creighton was none other than midfielder Johnny Torres. Torres has been in the coaching team for his alma mater since 2007.

My 2nd choice, for the 1st round draft pick, I go after Justin Malou, 5 foot, 11 inches of a full back from Clemson University. He’s versatile in the fact that he can move from right back to center back. He would be considered a shadow for Andrew Farrell. Very athletic and great passing skills, he would be a player you could count on to make tackles and aerial duels as well.

My 1st choice for the 1st round pick would be 6 foot, 2 inches of a striker in Luther Archimede, from Syracuse. Archimede is an international player who has experience from France with Sochaux’s second team. He also is consistently getting U-20 and now senior call-ups from Guadaloupe’s national team. He scored 4 goals in 16 appearances with Syracuse and 6 goals in five appearances with Guadaloupe’s U-20 team. If we’re going after a forward who isn’t likely to go in the top 15, this is our player. He’s an extremely aggressive player, always ready to put his body on the line for a goal.