Inter Miami Snags Beloved American Soccer Underdog as Final Pick in MLS SuperDraft

Rarely have soccer players achieved the legendary status of Maximilian Kissel—and now this icon of American college soccer might find himself alongside Lionel Messi and MLS Cup winners Inter Miami. 

The 23-year-old Kissel was chosen last in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, commonly known as Mr. Irrelevant across North American professional sports. Selected 90th overall, he was the final pick of round three and completed Miami's quintet of draft choices.

Though he lacks a guaranteed spot with the Herons, the franchise now possesses his MLS rights and may extend a contract offer if he captures their attention for either the main Inter Miami squad or Inter Miami II in MLS Next Pro.

This represents another remarkable chapter in Kissel's extraordinary soccer journey over recent years, featuring his fairy-tale performances for the University of Vermont Catamounts during the 2024 NCAA College Cup and Vermont Green FC in the 2025 USL League 2 Final. 

The German-American striker delivered the decisive goal for his college team in 2024, finding the net in overtime against Marshall University to claim UVM's inaugural major national championship. 

Subsequently, in August 2025, he struck another crucial late winner, this time representing the grassroots Vermont Green FC, helping secure yet another national crown in USL League 2. 

While the NCAA championship brought the state together, the USL League 2 triumph with the Green maintained that excitement, particularly given the club's rising profile through environmental activism and progressive social initiatives, plus high-profile support from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and musician Noah Kahan.

"It's incredible, beyond words. The passion this sport generates among our state's people, our supporters and their energy throughout every minute is amazing. Kissel shared with NBC following the League 2 championship. "I struggle to express it...I understood my responsibility—and I'm grateful I delivered."

After his dual game-winning heroics, Kissel experienced a setback in 2025, sustaining an injury that sidelined him for multiple weeks during the NCAA campaign in October—he had started the season strongly with four goals and three assists across 10 matches. His early-season form earned him recognition on the midseason MAC Hermann Trophy watchlist, awarded to NCAA soccer's top performer.

Kissel's UVM and Green teammate, goalkeeper Niklas Herceg, was selected 16th overall in round one by FC Dallas, providing a positive conclusion to 2025 after UVM's elimination by Hofstra University in the College Cup. 

Virtue Field in Burlington, Vermont, differs vastly from Inter Miami's glamorous MLS environment. Nevertheless, Kissel has already established himself as an American soccer icon and will now get the opportunity to pen his next story in South Florida's warmth, far from Vermont's harsh winter conditions. 

Inter Miami's 2026 MLS SuperDraft Selections