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The MLS SuperDraft isn’t the key to building a MLS Cup contender. But it can still help. Even as roster-building mechanisms evolve, the SuperDraft remains a pathway that can quickly benefit a club looking to round out a squad.
Ahead of Friday's 2025 MLS SuperDraft, let’s look at the Top 5 players from the last five draft classes, dating back to and including the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
1) Alistair Johnston - Drafted 2020
From the MLS SuperDraft to the longlist for the FIFAPro World XI — Alistair Johnston's rise is one of the best.
The No. 11 overall selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft from Wake Forest University, Johnston spent three seasons in MLS, amassing 77 appearances (5g/7a) with Nashville SC and CF Montréal before moving to Scotland's Celtic FC in 2023.
Last month, Johnston's name popped up on the long list for the FIFAPro World XI amid a standout season with Celtic that follows a fairytale run with the CanMNT at the 2024 Copa América.
He's far from the only Canadian standout from recent SuperDrafts; others include Tajon Buchanan (2019, New England Revolution), Dayne St. Clair (2019, Minnesota United) and Moïse Bombito (2023, Colorado Rapids).
2) Daryl Dike - Drafted 2020
Orlando City SC had seen the story before — a star striker out of the SuperDraft lighting things up in MLS.
First, it was Cyle Larin, and now it’s Duncan McGuire. But Daryl Dike stands out in the last five years. Drafted No. 5 in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Virginia, Dike made 35 regular season appearances with the Lions, scoring 18g/7a.
That quick tally earned him his first of 10 USMNT caps and a transfer to English Championship side West Bromwich Albion, with Orlando receiving a reported $9.5 million transfer fee, performance-based bonuses and 20% of any future sale.
The SuperDraft striker pathway has become Lions lore, but can they do it again in 2025?
3) Patrick Schulte - Drafted 2022
Few goalkeepers from the SuperDraft have settled in MLS, and fewer have found their way to the USMNT.
Real Salt Like legend Nick Rimando might top that list, but Patrick Schulte is carving his path with Columbus Crew. Since the Crew selected him No. 12 out of Saint Louis University in 2022, his club has won MLS Cup 2023, reached this year's Concacaf Champions Cup Final, and lifted the 2024 Leagues Cup title.
In two MLS regular seasons, he’s played 58 games, kept 17 clean sheets, and even got a chance to rep the Red, White and Blue at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. A pretty solid start.
4) Dylan Nealis - Drafted 2020
Get both brothers? Check. Valuable players out of the SuperDraft? Check. From New York? Check. Make MLS Cup presented by Audi? Also, check.
Unfortunately, only Dylan Nealis, the No. 3 overall by Inter Miami CF in 2020 out of Georgetown University, cuts the list. His brother, Sean, remains one of the best from the second-round selections, drafted No. 25 overall in 2019.
After a standout, NCAA-winning spell with the Hoyas, Dylan had stops in Miami and Nashville before becoming a key piece of RBNY’s backline in 2022 — culminating in this year's run to MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi.
With 100 regular-season appearances and signed through 2027 with an option for 2028, Dylan will continue as a critical part of RBNY, especially with Andrés Reyes' recent trade to San Diego FC.
5) Patrick Agyemang - Drafted 2023
Charlotte FC’s leading scorer in 2024, Patrick Agyemang took the long road through the MLS SuperDraft. Starting off in NCAA DIII, he earned a DI shot with the University of Rhode Island in 2020 and hasn’t looked back.
In his first season as a critical piece to Charlotte’s attack, the No. 12 selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft scored 10g/5a in 31 appearances, only 19 of which were starts.
With Charlotte’s attack under construction after not picking up Pep Biel’s option, Agyemang might have a bigger role in 2025. And if he keeps it up, both Ghana and the USMNT may come calling.
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