With the 2024 Main League Soccer SuperDraft approaching, Toronto FC will need to kick-start their rebuild by making a house run choice with their primary general choose.
As seen in different skilled sport settings, being the primary general choose comes with a ton of stress. In leagues just like the NFL and the NBA, gamers who’re chosen first within the draft are anticipated to contribute to their respective workforce’s success right away.
Whereas many MLS sides actually like their primary alternatives to do the identical, there is not precisely the identical quantity of stress to hit the bottom operating. TFC will turn into the primary workforce to select first general that is not an growth facet since Chicago Fireplace in 2016, signaling the super development the league has seen over the past half-decade.
The 2023 Supporters’ Defend winners FC Cincinnati chosen midfielder Frankie Amaya from UCLA with the primary general choose within the 2019 SuperDraft forward of their debut season in MLS.
In his rookie yr, Amaya made 19 appearances (15 begins) for the Orange and Blue earlier than occurring to start out in all 21 appearances the next season, scoring one aim within the course of.
After two years at TQL Stadium, Amaya was then traded to Jap Convention foes New York Pink Bulls, the place he is since gone on to turn into a mainstay within the workforce’s beginning XI irrespective of who’s on the touchline.
He began simply 10 video games in his first season at Pink Bull Enviornment in 2021, earlier than actually displaying his high quality in 2022 and 2023. Within the final two seasons, Amaya has confirmed his value as a former primary choose by notching 16 aim contributions in 49 appearances in the midst of the park.
Like Cincinnati, Inter Miami had the possibility to construct up their roster forward of their debut season in MLS in 2020 — they usually chosen Robbie Robinson with the primary choose within the 2020 SuperDraft.
Robinson, who was drafted from Clemson, noticed restricted recreation time throughout his first season within the league however did add 4 targets in 24 appearances (16 begins) in 2021.
Nonetheless, a muscle harm sidelined him from Could 2022 to June 2023, as he missed 40 video games in complete for the Herons.
Over the previous two seasons earlier than the long-term setback and after his restoration, Robinson has began simply 9 video games however scored two targets and dished out one help in 828 minutes performed.
Daniel Pereira was drafted primary general in 2021 from Virginia Tech by Austin FC, who have been additionally gearing up for his or her inaugural MLS marketing campaign.
Just like the 2019 first general choose Amaya, Pereira too shortly grew to become a rising star within the league, making 25 appearances (18 begins) within the 2021 marketing campaign as a midfielder who took on a extra defensive function.
Within the earlier two seasons. Pereira has turn into a stalwart within the midfield at Q2 Stadium. He is totaled 55 begins in that interval and dished out the joint-most assists in 2023 with eight. He additionally performed the third-most minutes on the Verde and Black in 2023 with 2,529.
Do not be shocked if European sides come knocking quickly for the signature of the younger Pereira.
One other growth facet in Charlotte FC obtained the primary general choose within the 2022 SuperDraft, because the Crown chosen midfielder Ben Bender from Maryland.
Bender has taken to MLS like a duck to water, making 19 begins (28 complete appearances) in his first season whereas additionally registering a powerful three targets and 6 assists.
He was primed for extra success in 2023 however was hampered by a minor leg harm that saved him out of motion for 5 video games. Nonetheless, Bender nonetheless notched a powerful three targets and three assists in simply 911 minutes performed/17 appearances.
After their first-ever playoff look final time period, Charlotte hope to construct upon their 2023 marketing campaign as they head into 2024 with Bender and new head coach Dean Smith.
Charlotte managed to get their fingers on the primary general choose as soon as once more within the 2023 SuperDraft after a commerce with St Louis CITY, who have been getting ready for his or her first season in MLS.
The Crown chosen Hamady Diop, a defender out of Clemson just like the beforehand talked about Robinson.
Diop did not get a lot time on the sector with the primary workforce, making simply three appearances off the bench that amounted to simply 35 minutes. Diop additionally battled an harm to belly muscle groups in the midst of the season that saved him sidelined for 10 video games.
With a full offseason to recuperate and put together, Charlotte will hope that the gifted Diop will get extra minutes below his belt in his second season on the skilled degree.
