The MLS SuperDraft is upon us and all 22 clubs will have a chance to draft a future star. Here’s a look at the top forwards available in the draft.
Abu Danladi (UCLA)
The UCLA striker had a shortened season due to injuries. However, he was still able to net seven goals in 12 appearances. He’s had a successful college career, which includes multiple All-Pac 12 selections and the Top Drawer Soccer Freshman of the Year award in 2014.
Gordon Wild (Maryland)
Wild had a superb campaign for the Maryland Terrapins in 2016. He was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and scored an impressive 17 goals. This was his first season with the Big Ten team, as he spent the previous season at USC Upstate, where he scored 16 goals in his freshman season.
Jeremy Ebobisse (Duke/Charleston Battery)
Ebobisse signed a contract with the MLS in 2016, but is unable to sign with a club until the draft. He spent the summer with the Charleston Battery–on loan– where he netted one goal in five appearances. At Duke, he scored nine goals in 37 appearances, In addition, he’s seen action with the U.S. U-20 side, in which he’s netted eight goals in nine appearances.
David Goldsmith (Butler)
The Bristol, England native had a successful senior season for the Butler Bulldogs. Goldsmith had 12 goals in 18 appearances, and was a NSCAA Second-Team All-American selection, as well as the Co-Offensive Big East Player of the Year. He’s had a keen eye for goal during his career, with an impressive 41 goals in 70 appearances during his time in college.
Niko Hansen (New Mexico)
Hansen put together a solid senior season for the New Mexico Lobos. He scored 13 goals in 21 appearances and is one of the best U.S. born players available. Check out this nice display of control and finishing in the 18.
Guillermo Delgado (Delaware)
Delgado has been a versatile striker for the Delaware Blue Hens and recorded three seasons with 12 goals or more. In addition, he set five school records in five different stat categories. He played for the Seattle Sounders U-23 PDL team this past summer, and has plenty of potential up front.
Brian Wright (Vermont)
The Canadian native finished in the top ten in goals scored in the NCAA with 14 in 22 appearances. He was an attendee of the MLS combine, which should help his draft stock.
Nick DePuy (UC Santa Barbara)
DePuy’s senior season stats don’t necessary reveal the top of quality he is capable of. Only six goals in 20 matches didn’t stand out in the terms of stats, but he was still invited to the combine. He is a quality player and has the size to be a difference up top wherever he ends up.
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Nazeem Bartman (South Florida)
It was fair to say that the 2016 season didn’t play out as Bartman hoped, only scoring six goals in the 18 appearances. However, he still was invited to the combine and comes in as one of the best strikers on the draft board, he should be taken in the later rounds.
Chris Nanco (Syracuse)
Nanco was an ACC first-team selection and finished with seven goals in 20 appearances. He should be a second-round pick and comes with plenty of experience playing in one of college soccer’s toughest conferences.
Other Top Forwards
Felix De Bona (Boston University)
Tucker Hume (North Carolina)
Wuiltio Fernandes (UMass-Lowell)
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