Warubi Sports Players to MLS - What is the MLS Draft? (2024)

What is the MLS Draft?

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, and each year they hold an event called the MLS Draft. Through the draft, MLS clubs can acquire new players from a pool of collegiate and international talent. SuperDraft and Waiver Draft are the two phases of the draft.

The first stage of the draft, known as the SuperDraft, features four rounds of player selection. The second round of the draft is called the Waiver Draft, and it consists of teams picking up players who were released by their previous MLS clubs.

For college soccer players, the Major League Soccer Draft is a pivotal moment because it’s where their professional careers can officially begin. For Major League Soccer clubs, it is also a crucial time to improve their rosters for the upcoming season.

Warubi Sports Players in the MLS Draft

Many Warubi Sports Players have managed to make it onto the MLS Draft list:

Morris Duggan – Marshall University

Johannes Pex – Seton Hall University

Gabriel Perrotta – UNCW

Luis Grassow – University of Kentucky

Jannis Schmidt – Cleveland State University

Jelldrik Dallmann – Lipscomb University

Luca Erhardt – James Madison University

Emil Jääskeläinen – LIU

How do I get into the MLS Draft?

There are a few steps that soccer players can take in order to increase their chances of being selected in the MLS Draft:

1. Play college soccer: Many players who are drafted into the MLS have played college soccer.

2. Play in a professional league: Players who have already played professionally, either in the United States or abroad, are also eligible for the MLS Draft.

3. Sign with an MLS team as a homegrown player: Some MLS teams have development academies that allow them to sign local players to their first professional contracts. These players are known as homegrown players and are eligible for the MLS Draft.

It is worth noting that being selected in the MLS Draft does not guarantee a spot on an MLS team. Players who are drafted will still need to earn a spot on the team through hard work and strong performances during training and pre-season matches.

What are my options if I don’t make the MLS Draft?

If you do not get selected in the MLS Draft, there are still several options available to you as a soccer player. Here are a few potential paths you could pursue:

1. Continue playing college soccer: If you are still in college and have eligibility remaining, you could continue playing college soccer and try to improve your chances of being drafted in the future.

2. Play in a lower division professional league: There are several professional soccer leagues in the United States that are below the MLS, such as the USL Championship, USL League One, and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). These leagues can provide an opportunity for players to continue their professional careers and potentially work their way up to the MLS.

3. Consider playing soccer abroad: If you are open to the idea of playing soccer in another country, there are many professional leagues around the world that may be interested in your skills.

4. Explore other career options: If you decide that professional soccer is not the right path for you, there are many other careers that you could consider, such as coaching, sports journalism, sports management, or working in sports-related marketing or sales.

Ultimately, it is important to keep an open mind and explore all of your options. There are many different ways to stay involved in soccer, and with hard work and determination, you can achieve your goals.