2015 MLS SuperDraft

2015 MLS SuperDraft
source
Name	2015 MLS SuperDraft
Sport	Association football
Date	January 15, 2015
Location	Philadelphia
League	Major League Soccer
First	Jacksonville Armada (trade) — Kei Kamara (note: see selections)

2015 MLS SuperDraft was the annual player selection meeting held by Major League Soccer in 2015. The event followed the 2014 Major League Soccer season and preceded the 2015 Major League Soccer season, drawing attention from clubs such as New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC, and Sporting Kansas City. College programs including University of Akron, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of California, Los Angeles, and Indiana University Bloomington supplied prominent prospects.

Background

The draft evolved from earlier mechanisms like the 1996 MLS College Draft and reflected reforms influenced by labor talks involving the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) model, FIFA transfer frameworks, and precedent set by the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft when New York City FC and Orlando City SC entered Major League Soccer. Collegiate competitions such as the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship and tournaments like the College Cup produced talent scouted at combines in venues near Camden Yards and Lincoln Financial Field. MLS roster strategies integrated policies from the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2010) and the Designated Player Rule debates influenced allocation of college picks among franchises including FC Dallas and Toronto FC.

Format and Draft Order

The draft used a four-round structure similar to prior drafts, with each round order determined by the previous season's standings, playoff results, and MLS Expansion Draft concessions. The order prioritized clubs like New York Red Bulls II affiliates, then expansion considerations for teams such as Orlando City SC in earlier years, reflecting tiebreakers applied by United States Soccer Federation regulations. The SuperDraft format incorporated tradeable picks, allocation money, and rights to homegrown players as negotiable assets among clubs like Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union. Draft eligibility included graduates from programs at Stanford University, Wake Forest University, Duke University, and international academies tied to CONCACAF scouting networks.

Player Selections

Top selections drew from collegiate standouts and Generation Adidas signees who had been announced by Major League Soccer Players Association partners and covered by outlets such as ESPN, The Guardian, Fox Sports, and CBS Sports. Clubs selected players across positions, often choosing from universities like University of Maryland, College Park, Syracuse University, Clemson University, and University of Virginia. Draft day featured picks for forwards, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers with precedents set by previous first-overall selections like Maurice Edu and Graham Zusi shaping club evaluation criteria. Scouts from Real Salt Lake, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Montreal Impact attended combines to evaluate technical metrics used in selections.

Trades and Transactions

Multiple trades involved draft picks, allocation money, and player rights; prominent franchises such as New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders FC, and LA Galaxy negotiated with rivals including Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers. Transactions referenced past deals like trades involving Michael Bradley and leveraged mechanisms similar to the MLS Allocation Order. Trade partners sometimes included United Soccer League affiliates and international clubs from Liga MX and English Football League who monitored surplus candidates. Front offices led by executives from Atlanta United FC-era thinking and veteran general managers applied strategies comparable to those used by FC Cincinnati in later expansion contexts.

Notable Draftees and Impact

Selected players who later influenced MLS rosters included individuals from programs like University of Notre Dame, Georgetown University, and Penn State University who developed into starters or rotation players for clubs such as New York City FC, Columbus Crew SC, and Orlando City SC. The long-term impact echoed careers of alumni from Indiana University Bloomington and University of Connecticut who became international call-ups, some representing United States men's national soccer team or joining squads in Bundesliga and Premier League systems. The draft also produced late-round gems reminiscent of players who graduated into the CONCACAF Champions League rosters and contributed to playoff campaigns in the MLS Cup era.

Draft-Day Events and Reactions

Media coverage spanned outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated, with analysts referencing collegiate awards such as the Hermann Trophy and conferences like the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten Conference. Coaches from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University commented on player development paths, while supporters groups from clubs like Seattle Sounders Supporters' chapters reacted on social platforms alongside commentary from commentators associated with NBC Sports and Univision. Post-draft evaluations compared selections to historic MLS drafts and speculated on future transfers to competitions such as the CONMEBOL tournaments and European leagues.

Category:Major League Soccer drafts