2019 MLS Mock Draft: Version 1.0
December 26, 2018
| ORDER | TEAM | NAME | COLLEGE | POS | HEIGHT | WEIGHT |
| 1 |  |
Siad Haji* | VCU | M | 5-8 | 150 |
| FC Cincinnati have added some wide attacking talent, but are still lacking in the middle of the park. Haji is an electric playmaker with the ability to unlock defenses or play on the break, making him the first player off the board. While he may not be ready to step in right away, Haji arguably has the highest upside in the draft pool. | ||||||
| 2 |  |
Tajon Buchanan* | Syracuse | F | 6-0 | 152 |
| More than anything, the Earthquakes need talent. Chris Wondolowski won’t be around forever, and Buchanan, an effective and well-rounded forward, would do well to learn under Wondolowski. | ||||||
| 3 |  |
Callum Montgomery | Charlotte | D | 6-2 | 170 |
| As bad as Orlando was in 2018, their returning attacking pieces are not bad. The defense, however, is a different story. Montgomery, a 6 foot 2 and technical center back, could slot in as a starter from day one. | ||||||
| 4 |  |
Mohammed Kamara* | UCLA | F | 6-0 | 170 |
| Dallas has enough young talent to take a shot at upside here. Talented yet unpolished, Kamara is a perfect candidate to see minutes on Dallas’ new USL team. | ||||||
| 5 |  |
Marcello Borges | Michigan | D | 5-8 | 150 |
| Following Brandon Vincent’s unexpected retirement, the Fire have a hole at left back. If Andrew Gutman ends up looking abroad, Borges is an intelligent left back capable with the ball who played for the Red Bulls’ Academy before the Wolverines. | ||||||
| 6 |  |
Brad Dunwell | Wake Forest | M | 5-8 | 165 |
| A number 6 who is immensely skilled in possession, Dunwell could be the long-term replacement for Michael Bradley. | ||||||
| 7 |  |
Sergio Rivas | Seattle | M | 5-11 | 150 |
| Rivas adds two things that Minnesota are lacking - firepower and creativity. Rivas can score and create as well as anyone in the draft. | ||||||
| 8 |  |
Andre Shinyashiki | Denver | F | 5-9 | 150 |
| His superb scoring record may not translate to MLS (28 goals his senior season), but Shinyashiki’s motor will be an asset to whoever drafts him. He could fill a super-sub role behind Manotas, and replace him if/when Manotas moves overseas. | ||||||
| 9 |  |
Frankie Amaya* | UCLA | M | 5-4 | 145 |
| Although Kelyn Rowe played sparingly in Brad Friedel’s first season as coach, trading him leaves the Revs lacking in the final third. Amaya, a creative attacking midfield, has been effective with the U20 USMNT and can be a difference-maker. | ||||||
| 10 | |
Camden Riley | Pacific | M/F | 6-1 | - |
| Originally from Texas, Riley makes up for his lack of athleticism with his technical ability. Just like Kamara, it would suit Riley to develop with Dallas’ new USL team. | ||||||
| 11 | |
Griffin Dorsey* | Indiana | F | 6-0 | 160 |
| Dorsey’s hard work and pace make him an intriguing option up front, and New England would do well to add options behind Teal Bunury and Juan Agudelo. | ||||||
| 12 |  |
Abdi Mohamed | Akron | M/D | 5-11 | 151 |
| Simply put, the Galaxy’s defense was not good in 2018. Mohammed moved to right back this past season and can lock down his opposition. The Galaxy desperately need capable defensive players, and Mohamed's versatility (he can fill in central midfield role as well) is another feather in his cap. | ||||||
| 13 |  |
JJ Williams* | Kentucky | F | 6-4 | 200 |
| Williams is a big striker coming off an excellent year for Kentucky. Philly have their backline of the future sorted out, but Williams, if he adds to his game technically, could be an answer up front for years to come. | ||||||
| 14 |  |
Logan Gdula | Wake Forest | D | 5-11 | 160 |
| Looking to build on their outstanding second half of the season, DC could use a long-term piece at right back. Gdula is attack-minded but does not neglect his defensive responsibilities. He would be a good complement to Paul Arriola on the right flank. | ||||||
| 15 |  |
Andrew Samuels | Maryland | M | 5-9 | 150 |
| Neither Cole Bassett or Kellyn Acosta are truly the type of center midfielder to sit in front of the back four and shield them. Samuels filled that role for the national champion Terrapins, and would make an excellent midfield trio with the other two. | ||||||
| 16 |  |
Kamal Miller | Syracuse | D | 6-0 | 185 |
| LAFC’s inaugural season was successful for the most part, but there are questions about their defense going into 2019. Miller is a candidate to play out wide but is best as a center back, and would be a good fit in LA with Walker Zimmerman’s status for next season uncertain. | ||||||
| 17 |  |
Dayne St. Clair* | Maryland | GK | 6-4 | 185 |
| Standing at 6-foot-4, St. Clair was one of the best goalkeeper in college soccer this past season. He has bags of potential and could be a long-term replacement for Nick Rimando. | ||||||
| 18 |  |
Amar Sejdic | Maryland | M | 5-10 | 158 |
| While they still don't have a head coach, Pat Onstad has been pulling the strings as acting GM and doing a solid job. Sejdic, a silky smooth center midfielder, also has the leadership intangibles necessary for success - he captained Maryland to a national championship this past season. He would be an excellent cover option for Wil Trapp and Artur. | ||||||
| 19 |  |
Santiago Patino | Florida International | F | 6-1 | 192 |
| The big question for NYCFC this offseason is how they will replace David Villa. They will likely spend big, but Patino, a target striker with the tendency to be in the right place at the right time, could back up, play with, or even be Villa’s replacement. | ||||||
| 20 |  |
Wouter Verstraaten | Pacific | D | 6-2 | 159 |
| The Sounders will be looking for a Chad Marshall replacement sooner rather than later. Homegrown Sam Rogers will likely get the first shot, but Verstraaten could be capable of stepping in. | ||||||
| 21 |  |
Akeem Ward | Creighton | D | 5-7 | 150 |
| Jaylin Lindsey finally broke into the starting XI as a left back in 2018, but projects as a right back long term. Ward is a quality two-way left back that should either compete for a starting spot or get significant minutes in USL | ||||||
| 22 |  |
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey | Connecticut | D | 6-3 | 195 |
| The Red Bulls lost Fidel Escobar and Hassan Ndam already this offseason, and rumors are linking Aaron Long to Europe. Hauser-Ramsey is a composed, physical center back who could develop similarly to Long if given minutes in the USL. | ||||||
| 23 |  |
Joey Piatczyc | West Virginia | M | 5-8 | 158 |
| Valeri and Chara both turn 33 next season, so the Timbers will be looking for fresh legs in center midfield. Piatczyc has excellent vision, exemplified by his school-record 33 career assists. Scouts are talking him up ahead of the combine, and if he can show the requisite defensive edge, he could be a surprise. | ||||||
| 24 |  |
Tucker Bone | Air Force | M/F | 5-11 | - |
|
Atlanta are loaded, but Bone, an exciting attacker capable of beating defenders 1v1, will add to their depth both in USL and MLS. Whoever they select here faces long odds to make the MLS roster, and Bone's Air Force obligations are likely to leave his path to MLS unclear. If he's available sooner rather than later, there's potential here for a solid pickup. |
||||||
*Denotes projected Generation adidas signee. The GA class has yet to be made official.
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