The 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas is set for Wednesday at 4 p.m. CT and the first round will stream live on MLS’s YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook, at MLSSoccer.com and in the MLS app beginning with the Pre-Draft show at 3:30 p.m. CT. Sporting Kansas City holds the eighth overall pick in the first round and the 37th overall pick in the second.
Currently, Sporting has four players rostered who were selected in the MLS SuperDraft, two of which rank first and second in Sporting’s all-time matches played chart.
Roger Espinoza was taken 11th overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft after scoring for Ohio State in the 2007 College Cup Final. Graham Zusi is Sporting’s all-time appearance leader at 395 matches played after being selected 23rd overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft out of Maryland where he guided the Terrapins to National Championships in 2005 and 2008, scoring in the 2008 contest.
In 2014, defender Ben Sweat was drafted 14th overall as the all-time appearance leader for the University of South Florida. Forward Khiry Shelton was also taken in the SuperDraft as the second overall pick in 2015 after a 52-appearance, 19-goal career at Oregon State.
In advance of the MLS SuperDraft, technical staffs from every MLS club attended the adidas MLS College Showcase from Dec. 9-12 in Raleigh, N.C. in conjunction with the 2022 NCAA Men’s College Cup. The four-day event showcased 44 of the top collegiate prospects in the nation via a series of training sessions, testing, interviews and match play.
On Monday, Major League Soccer announced the tentative list of players eligible for selection in Wednesday’s MLS SuperDraft highlighted by eight players in the 2023 Generation adidas class. Generation adidas is a joint program between MLS and adidas that sees top collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players signed by MLS to Generation adidas contracts and made available in the SuperDraft. In order to provide Generation adidas players with the best professional environment, Generation adidas player salaries are not charged against an MLS team’s annual salary budget, providing an added incentive for that club to develop the player.
The 2023 MLS SuperDraft will consist of three rounds of player selection. The MLS SuperDraft order is set by taking the reverse order of the club standings at the end of each MLS season, taking postseason performance into account, with expansion club St. Louis CITY SC granted the first overall pick.
