Fansided

10 prospects to watch for the 2017 MLS SuperDraft

By Anthony Gallo

Jan 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A soccer ball signed by all attending draft picks sits by the stage during the 2015 MLS SuperDraft at Philadelphia Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A soccer ball signed by all attending draft picks sits by the stage during the 2015 MLS SuperDraft at Philadelphia Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team Copa midfielder Jacori Hayes (48) and Team Tango forward Abu Danladi (69) go for the ball in game 2 of the MLS Combine at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team Copa midfielder Jacori Hayes (48) and Team Tango forward Abu Danladi (69) go for the ball in game 2 of the MLS Combine at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Abu Danladi

The only player likely to rival Jeremy Ebobisse for the No. 1 pick is UCLA’s Abu Danladi.

The forward could have entered the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, but elected to stay in school after rejecting a Generation adidas contract. That didn’t stop MLS offering him another GA contract in 2017, which he accepted.

There’s some debate as to where exactly Danladi will end up going in the draft, but it seems clear he’ll go early. SBI has Danladi going first overall, TopDrawerSoccer.com has him behind Ebobisse and MLS Soccer expert Matthew Doyle thinks Danladi will go third.

His health seems to be the big reason he isn’t the unanimous first overall pick. However, he’s still a top prospect; if he can stay fit, he’ll be a great addition to any team.

He was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2013-14 and found the back of the net 34 times in 42 games at UCLA. His best season came in 2015, when he racked up 17 goals in 19 games.

Danladi will either go to Minnesota, or slip all the way to third and get selected by the Chicago Fire, but it’s unlikely he’ll fall further than that. Either way, the 21-year-old is a big talent whose pace and skill should translate well to MLS.

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