GOAL digs into the four biggest takeaways from MLS SuperDraft 2024
MLS SuperDraft Round One wrapped Tuesday afternoon, with all 29 teams across the league making deals, looking at prospects and evaluating their 2024 roster.
Some sides managed to obtain multiple picks, while others traded out of the draft entirely. General and Targeted Allocation Money flowed as deals were made for spots high in the draft, as Chief Soccer Officers and technical staff of the respective teams collaborated to come up with their pick.
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GOAL takes a look at the four biggest takeaways from Round One of the showcase event…
Who was the No. 1 overall pick?
Tyrese Spencer – Forward, Lipscomb University
The Trinidad and Tobago native was selected first overall by Toronto FC and boss John Herdman. His 2023 season saw him score 14 goals and add three assists in 16 games, a feat that helped him earn First Team All-American honors. He was the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year and a Herman Soccer Trophy semifinalist. Across his collegiate career, he registered 29 goals and 18 assists over 57 appearances.
AdvertisementWho will play in Inter Miami with Lionel Messi?
Yannick Bright – Midfielder, New Hampshire
Bright will head south and enjoy the warm weather of South Beach, linking up with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and recent World Cup champion. He will link up with Tata Martino and Co as they look to bolster their midfield ahead of the next campaign. In the Northeast at UNH, Bright – a First Team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist – started and played in all 19 games for his College, recording two assists and the honor of American East Conference Midfielder of the Year.
Ryan Carmichael – Forward, Hofstra
With the No. 24 selection, the Herons brought in the Northern Ireland native, who is second all-time in the scoring charts at Hofstra. Over his collegiate career, Carmichael bagged 46 goals and 110 points for the Flying Dutchmen. Now, the senior is set to move to Miami and link up with three ex-Barcelona legends in Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – with a potential fourth in Luis Suarez on the way. What a group to learn from as a rookie!
Getty ImagesWhat teams traded their picks?
Draft Day trades saw teams splash the cash, with multiple sides moving up in the draft while others dealt their picks for assets.
Minnesota United were the first team to move up in the draft Tuesday, trading $100,000 in GAM to the New England Revolution for the No. 20 and 78 picks in the draft. The Portland Timbers followed it up by moving back in the draft, handing the No. 11 pick to Nashville SC for $125k in Allocation Money.
Minutes before the draft began, Inter Miami made a bombshell play, giving up the No. 3 overall pick for $300k in Allocation Money to FC Dallas. The last trade of the day saw 2023 expansion side and Western Conference champions St. Louis CITY SC trade into Round One (they previously did not hold a pick), gaining the No. 17 overall pick for $75k in GAM.
GettyHow did Apple TV's first MLS SuperDraft fare?
MLS changed course for the 20024 College SuperDraft, streaming through partner Apple TV. The entirety of Round One – featuring all 29 teams – and a 30-minute buildup saw their Apple MLS studio host the draft remotely. No commissioner Don Garber announcing picks, no fans in attendance and no draftees in attendance. Instead, there were cameras set up in the homes of those expecting to be drafted, and a host announced the picks off his laptop on a screen.
The verdict? Room for improvement. There were – and will be – growing pains, with some fans complaining on social media that the SuperDraft lacked a sense of emotion, and it forced viewers to sit for over three hours for just one round of the draft. It also struggled to capture the beauty of the moment a player gets drafted, and it feels like that was what was missed more than anything.
MLS is already under fire for their decision to remove first-teams from the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – now, the famous SuperDraft has fans questioning their decision-making during the first year it has ever been televised on a global scale.
