MLS SuperDraft 2026: Ranking the Biggest Winners Who Dominated Draft Day
Several elements make Major League Soccer distinctly different from soccer worldwide. Most notably: The MLS SuperDraft.
While the SuperDraft no longer serves as a crucial component for team success and has transitioned to an entirely virtual format, departing from traditional face-to-face gatherings, it continues to be an important element of squad construction for numerous MLS organizations.
Though the league's top talent may no longer emerge through this pathway, multiple players have leveraged this chance to achieve excellence on the international stage, including Canadian and American prospects for the 2026 World Cup such as Moïse Bombito, Dayne St. Clair, Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman.
The 2026 SuperDraft featured selections predominantly from these two nations, with many possessing the capability to become genuine contributors in MLS during 2026.
But which organizations can claim victory from this event?
Here, Sports Illustrated evaluates the top five teams that maximized their returns from the 2026 SuperDraft proceedings.
5. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
While Austin FC has reason to celebrate their transaction and selection sent to Vancouver, the Whitecaps also emerged from the draft quite satisfied, securing four selections across three rounds.
Using the 17th selection, they chose Zach Ramsey from the Washington Huskies. Recognized for his aggressive box-to-box style, he's been praised as an MLS-ready talent and might be positioned to join the roster for the upcoming season. Additionally, they selected striker Daniel Lugo from High Point University with the 29th choice, before completing the draft with Seattle University forward Yeider Zuluaga at 39th and Washington attacker Conor Lofy.
Considering their picks and dealings with Austin (details to follow), Vancouver has good reason to be satisfied with their performance. They'll now hope at least one selection achieves success similar to their 15th overall choice, Tate Johnson in 2025, who appeared in 29 matches as a defender.
4. Austin FC
Austin FC possessed only two selections in the SuperDraft following a mutually beneficial trade executed earlier that day, investing $1.25 million in GAM and transferring their 17th overall choice to the Vancouver Whitecaps for Canadian international winger Jayden Nelson.
Though the cost is substantial, Austin clearly identified a gap in their squad and seized the chance to use the pick to persuade Vancouver to release Nelson, who will contribute meaningful playing time next season.
SuperDraft day exchanges have become increasingly rare, but this represented a solid agreement for Austin.
3. Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids secured eight selections in the SuperDraft, including multiple picks originally belonging to the Philadelphia Union.
More than a year prior, the Rapids obtained eight natural SuperDraft selections from the Union, encompassing their first and third-round choices in the 2025 Draft, plus first, second and third-round selections in this year's event and the following season's, in return for $350,000 in GAM.
The Rapids' initial choice at 8th overall was Mamadou Billo Diop, a center back who competed with Rapids II in 2025 but gained draft eligibility and was consequently available to any franchise. At 10th, they added a pure striker in Mitchell Baker from Georgetown University, following his 14-goal campaign for the Hoyas.
Their final first-round selection, Wahabu Musah, distinguished himself as a winger with Clemson University in 2025, and the organization's remaining second and third-round choices will also receive opportunities to earn roster spots with multiple openings available.
2. D.C. United
D.C. United experienced an excellent week, beginning with the acquisition of MLS Golden Boot candidate Tai Baribo from the Philadelphia Union for $4 million, and culminating with obtaining several promising players in the SuperDraft.
Holding the premier selection in each round plus additional choices, the club acquired five players, including leading center back prospect Nikola Markovic at first overall and highly-regarded forward Richie Aman at eighth overall, after completing a trade with the New England Revolution for $200,000 in GAM.
Both top 10 selections were also among those who had previously signed Generation Adidas agreements.
Markovic has recorded 27 appearances with NC State University, contributing two goals and three assists, securing a position on the 2024 ACC All-Freshman squad and attracting attention in his home province of Québec.
Meanwhile, Aman registered eight goals and 23 assists across 81 appearances during his tenure with the 2025 national champion University of Washington, earning Big Ten Midfielder of the Year recognition in 2025.
Both premier selections could assume immediate first-team responsibilities next season, particularly given their Generation Adidas agreements and their salary cap implications.
1. FC Dallas
FC Dallas has every reason to be extremely pleased with their SuperDraft acquisitions, as these players could become genuine contributors within their initial weeks in MLS. Dallas selected six individuals, including three within the draft's top 20, and utilized this mechanism to address potential roster gaps.
With the second and third overall choices, they acquired pre-signed Generation Adidas players, winger Ricky Louis from Georgia Southern and striker Nicholas Simmonds, both recognized as standout performers in collegiate soccer this season.
Following a nine-goal, three-assist campaign for Georgia Southern, Louis joins a rebuilding Dallas squad that could provide opportunities for him to establish himself on the flanks as a more offensive complement to the front pairing of Petar Musa and Logan Farrington.
Simultaneously, the club enhanced its depth with Simmonds, who netted 10 goals and five assists with Virginia, earning ACC Freshman of the Year recognition.
Beyond selecting two of the draft's premier talents, they also secured goalkeeper Niklas Herceg from the University of Vermont, who contributed to NCAA and USL League 2 championships in 2024 and 2025. He could potentially serve as backup if the club parts ways with Indonesia international Maarten Paes, considering Michael Collodi's strong late-season performance.