2021 MLS SuperDraft
The 2021 MLS SuperDraft will be the 22nd edition of the SuperDraft conducted by Major League Soccer. The SuperDraft is held every January prior to the start of the MLS season. The 2020 SuperDraft was the first held exclusively via conference call and web streaming. Previously, the SuperDraft had been held in conjunction with the annual January United Soccer Coaches convention.
Format
The SuperDraft format has remained constant throughout its history and closely resembles that of the NFL Draft:- Any expansion teams receive the first picks. MLS has announced that Austin FC will begin play as an expansion team in 2021.
- Non-playoff clubs receive the next picks in reverse order of prior season finish.
- Teams that made the MLS Cup Playoffs are then ordered by which round of the playoffs they are eliminated.
- The winners of the MLS Cup are given the last selection, and the losers the penultimate selection.
2021 SuperDraft Trades
- Round 1, Sporting Kansas City → Vancouver Whitecaps. December 14, 2018: Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired a first-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft and a second-round selection in the 2020 SuperDraft from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for forward Erik Hurtado. The traded picks are Kansas City's natural selections.
- Round 1, Philadelphia Union → Orlando City. July 17, 2020: Orlando City SC acquired a first-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft from Philadelphia Union in exchange for the Homegrown Player rights to Nathan Harriel. The traded pick is Philadelphia's natural selections.
- Round 2, Seattle Sounders → Vancouver Whitecaps. August 22, 2019: Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired a second-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for an international roster spot for the remainder of the 2019 MLS season.
- Round 2, Nashville → Chicago Fire. November 12, 2019: Chicago Fire acquired a second-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft, $50,000 in general allocation money, and $50,000 in targeted allocation money from Nashville SC in exchange for midfielder Dax McCarty.
- Round 2, Vancouver Whitecaps → Orlando City. February 24, 2018: Orlando City SC acquired a conditional second-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft and $125,000 in targeted allocation money from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for defender José Aja. The draft pick, which is Vancouver's natural selection, is contingent on Aja remaining with Vancouver during the 2020 season. Trade terms also state that Orlando could acquire up to $300,000 in conditional add-ons and retains a percentage of future transfer if Aja is sold outside of MLS.
- Round 2, Minnesota United → Columbus Crew. February 12, 2020: Columbus Crew SC acquired a conditional second-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft from Minnesota United FC in exchange for the MLS rights to forward Aaron Schoenfeld. The draft pick will be converted to $50,000 in general allocation money should Schoenfeld meet certain performance metrics.
- Round 3, Inter Miami → Toronto FC. December 28, 2019: Toronto FC acquired a third-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft from Inter Miami CF in exchange for the MLS rights to forward Juan Agudelo.
- Round 3, Minnesota United → FC Dallas. January 21, 2020: FC Dallas acquired a third-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft from Minnesota United FC in exchange for midfielder Jacori Hayes.
- Round 4, Atlanta United → Sporting Kansas City. December 10, 2017: Sporting Kansas City acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft, forward Kenwyne Jones, and goalkeeper Alexander Tambakis from Atlanta United FC in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, midfielder Kévin Oliveira, and defender Tyler Pasher. The traded picks are both natural selections.
- Round 4, Colorado Rapids → Real Salt Lake. February 19, 2018: Real Salt Lake acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft from Colorado Rapids in exchange for the MLS rights to midfielder Enzo Martínez.
- Round 4, Vancouver Whitecaps → Inter Miami. January 29, 2020: Inter Miami acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for goalkeeper Bryan Meredith. The traded pick is Vancouver's natural selection.
Future draft trades
2022 SuperDraft Trades
- Round 2, Nashville → Vancouver Whitecaps. November 26, 2019: Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired a second-round selection in the 2022 SuperDraft and the #25 selection in Stage One of the 2019 MLS Re-Entry Draft from Nashville SC in exchange for the #2 selection in Stage One of the 2019 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Nashville used the #2 pick to select defender Eric Miller. The traded 2022 SuperDraft pick is Nashville's natural selection.
- Round 2, Los Angeles FC → Nashville. February 26, 2020: Nashville SC acquired a second-round selection in the 2022 SuperDraft, $350,000 in combined 2020 and 2021 general allocation money, and the #24 spot in the MLS Allocation Order from Los Angeles FC in exchange for the #1 spot in the MLS Allocation Order. The traded 2022 SuperDraft pick is LAFC's natural selection.
- Round 4, Colorado Rapids → Atlanta United. March 4, 2020: Atlanta United FC acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2022 SuperDraft from Colorado Rapids in exchange for the MLS Homegrown player rights to midfielder Will Vint.
- Conditional, Inter Miami → Vancouver Whitecaps. September 5, 2019: Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquired a conditional selection in the 2022 SuperDraft from Inter Miami in exchange for midfielder David Norman Jr.
Future Considerations Trades
- Houston Dynamo → Real Salt Lake. April 23, 2018: Real Salt Lake acquired future considerations and a fourth-round selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft from Houston Dynamo in exchange for the MLS rights to midfielder Luis Gil for the 2018 season.
- Los Angeles FC → New England Revolution. May 1, 2018: New England Revolution acquired $350,000 in General Allocation Money, $350,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, and potential future considerations from Los Angeles FC in exchange for midfielder Lee Nguyen.