Union-Cincy trade adds some intrigue to 2019 MLS SuperDraft

The much-maligned MLS SuperDraft likely isn’t going away any time soon.

MLS’ SuperDraft returns on Friday. It features no surefire top pick, nor are there guaranteed immediate contributors at the top of the class. Many young domestic-developed players go through MLS academies rather than the collegiate system, or they sign a Homegrown contract out of school. The draft’s value has diminished as a source of starting-caliber talent.

But solid guys enter the league every year through this medium, and not long ago elite players like Jack Harrison and Cyle Larin were chosen in the SuperDraft. It’s fairly random, but it can surely be valuable as a cheap roster-building component.

Here are a few of the highly-touted players to keep an eye on:

Siad Haji, VCU, winger: Haji is a creative attacker who is considered “the consensus most talented player in the draft” per MLSsoccer.com’s Matt Doyle. He’s a top contender to be the first overall pick.

Tajon Buchanan, Syracuse, forward: A dynamic attacker, Buchanan is a Generation adidas player, adding to his value due to the cap relief that status provides (Haji is a GA as well).

Dayne St. Clair, Maryland, goalkeeper: Goalkeepers rarely go high in the SuperDraft (unless you’re Andre Blake), so St. Clair’s status as a potential top 10 pick makes him an intriguing option for a keeper-needy team.

Frankie Amaya, UCLA, attacking midfielder: Amaya is a creative number 10 with U.S. youth national team experience.

Callum Montgomery, Charlotte, center-back: Montgomery could be the best defender in the class, along with right-back Manny Perez.

JJ Williams, Kentucky, forward: A tall number 9, Williams is an enticing option for teams looking for striker depth.

There will surely be trades. Already, the Philadelphia Union traded their entire draft — they pulled a Mike Ditka! — to FC Cincinnati for $200k of General Allocation Money, plus an additional $50k in player incentives. Philly’s highest pick was the 13th, and they had two second-round picks and their normal third and fourth. That, needless to say, had never happened in MLS.

Philly’s new sporting director, Ernst Tanner, decided he had no use for the SuperDraft and instead absorbed more allocation money. For a cash-strapped franchise like the Union, more GAM is never bad. They can focus their efforts on developing their own in-house Homegrowns.

Cincy’s perspective is more fascinating. As an expansion team, they had the money to spend. It’s a cheap enough cost, adding to the draft advantages they’re already given. They already aren’t adding another Designated Player at least until the summer after trading for Fanendo Adi. It could be worth a shot to hoard a bunch of draft picks and see what happens.

Sometimes it seems like a random second or third round pick is as likely to turn out well as a mid-to-late first rounder. Cincinnati have the first, 13th and 16th overall selections (after an odd, complicated trade with LAFC on Wednesday), and seven more picks in the bottom three rounds. This will be an interesting test case.

No matter what, the draft likely isn’t going away any time soon; MLS reportedly ditching the combine does not change that. The SuperDraft remains a legitimate method of talent acquisition. Its future is not in peril.

How teams use it, though, is changing. Trades will keep happening, and perhaps clubs will emulate Philly’s approach. Expect some more deals on Friday.