2018 MLS Mock Draft: Version 3.0

by Travis Clark

January 18, 2018

The 2018 Major League Soccer Combine kicks off on January 11, a little more than week before this year's draft.

Six players have signed Generation adidas deals to join as underclassmen, while three seniors have also inked contracts.

MORE: Scouting the Generation adidas class | MLS Big Board version 3.0 | Top 5 prospects by position

TDS releases its final editoin of the First Round mock draft below.

FIRST ROUND

ORDER	TEAM	NAME	COLLEGE	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT
1		Joao Moutinho*	Akron	D	6-0	156
Versatility, roster flexibility and talent. Moutinho has plenty to offer LAFC whether it’s now or heading into the future.
2		Jon Bakero	Wake Forest	F	6-3	165
With several active wide players, the Galaxy can snap up Bakero at this point in the draft to boost the team’s scoring woes. While not the typical No. 9, the Galaxy have the right kind of talent to draft him in, and give him a chance as a goal-scorer and playmaker leading the line.
3		Mason Toye*	Indiana	F	6-3	180
The team's gone out and brought in some internationals, leaving them likely to pick an American. Toye's a bit of a project, though he fits the mold to potential succeed in MLS and can battle for playing time as the long striker for D.C.
4		Tomas Hilliard-Arce	Stanford	D	6-1	168
After trading away Laurent Ciman, the Impact can add to their defensive corps by drafting in the senior standout.
5		Francis Atuahene*	Michigan	M/F	5-9	170
Minnesota can add another Right to Dream prospect by snapping up the speedster out of Michigan. The team has plenty of attacking options, but can add Atuahene to that mix as a spark off the bench.
6		Wyatt Omsberg	Dartmouth	D	6-4	180
The Lions dealt Tommy Redding to the Red Bulls and could use someone to partner with Jonathan Spector. Omsberg, who tested well and has the build to compete in MLS, comes off the board early here though as he could be one of the surprises of this draft pool.
7		Christopher Mueller	Wisconsin	M/F	5-9	160
A dynamic attacking presence, Mueller is a senior signee that should be able to impact the game early in 2018, which would be a welcome development for Montreal.
8		Mo Adams	Syracuse	M	5-6	165
Boasting plenty of flair attacking players, Adams is a hard-nosed midfielder that would add a depth piece behind Scott Caldwell in the center of the park.
9		Tristan Blackmon	Pacific	D	6-2	-
It wouldn't be surprising to see the Revolution deal one of their Top 10 picks. If they decide to hang onto this one, adding Blackmon isn’t a bad route to go. Primarily a right back, potentially able to play centrally, he’s another depth add.
10		Daniel Musovski	UNLV	F	6-0	-
While Musovski didn’t exactly light up the combine and could certainly slip down the draft, he’s someone RSL could consider as an out-and-out striker.
11		Mohamed Thiaw	Louisville	F	6-2	170
Anyone drafted by FC Dallas, even at this spot, faces a bit of an uphill battle for playing time – depending on their future roster moves. Thiaw’s the kind of active front-runner that could potentially supply goals that FCD could turn to.
12		Ema Twumasi*	Wake Forest	M	5-8	160
While Twumasi has the most upside of any of the Generation adidas players, the lack of a clear position and a down combine could see him slide on draft day. The Quakes would welcome the electric winger into the fold with open arms.
13		Ken Krolicki	Michigan State	M	5-10	159
Another central midfield option for Sporting KC is never a bad thing, and Krolicki has plenty of quality despite not excelling at the combine.
14		Lucas Stauffer	Creighton	D	5-6	160
Considering the ambition Atlanta United has shown in the transfer market, the draft isn’t exactly critical as the team eyes to build to its 2018 roster. Stauffer’s a versatile outside back, a domestic player on the cheap, which would all be assets for them.
15		Edward Opoku*	Virginia	F	5-7	140
Bringing in a Generation adidas player at this point in the draft is never a bad decision, and while Opoku has some work to do, the Fire could end up with a gamble that pays off down the road.
16		Brian White	Duke	M	5-11	180
It’s a bit lazy to assume that the Red Bulls would snap up White, though if he’s there at 16, it’s easy to imagine they would grab the goal-scorer and Red Bull PDL veteran.
17		Drew Skundrich	Stanford	M	5-10	165
Carl Robinson can’t turn down the chance to add another defensive-minded central midfielder to his group. Skundrich, if he can hang technically, has the mentality that most coaches would love.
18		Justin Fiddes	Washington	D	5-11	-
While shaky moments at the combine could see Fiddes slip down the draft, he fits the Sporting KC ethos, is an athletic player, and could get minutes with Swope Park Rangers as he adjusts to the next level.
19		Rafael Andrade Santos	VCU	M	5-7	140
The No. 10 could thrive as midfield depth for Patrick Vieira. He could play centrally or out wide in the team’s 4-3-3.
20		Gordon Wild*	Maryland	F	5-10	172
Questions are sure to follow Wild into the draft after his down season in 2017. However, if he finds himself in the right system, he could excel. Houston can roll the dice on him here and see if Wild's up to the challenge of scoring goals in MLS.
21		Christopher Lema	Georgetown	M	5-10	160
A natural backup for Wil Trapp, Lema’s and the Crew would fit nicely together.
22		Ricky Lopez-Espin	Creighton	F	6-2	200
Last year’s draft pick for Seattle didn’t even make the MLS team. Can the tall striker from Crieghton make the cut as depth for the Sounders, getting reps with S2?
23		Carter Manley	Duke	D	5-11	170
Outside backs that can cover a lot of ground will be hard to find at this point in the draft, and TFC is going to be on the hunt for cheap depth at that spot. Manley played in a back three at Duke, and his versatility would also be an asset, either as a right back or an undersized central defender.