2021 MLS SuperDraft


The 2021 MLS SuperDraft was the 22nd edition of the SuperDraft conducted by Major League Soccer. The SuperDraft is held every January prior to the start of the MLS season. The 2020 SuperDraft was the first held exclusively via conference call and web streaming. The Draft was once again held virtually, and began on January 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and consisted of three rounds. Compensatory picks were conveyed to teams that received fourth-round picks via trades.

Format

The SuperDraft format has remained constant throughout its history and closely resembles that of the NFL draft:
  1. Any expansion teams receive the first picks. MLS has announced that Austin FC would begin play as an expansion team in 2021.
  2. Non-playoff clubs receive the next picks in reverse order of prior season finish.
  3. Teams that made the MLS Cup Playoffs are then ordered by which round of the playoffs they are eliminated.
  4. The winners of the MLS Cup are given the last selection, and the losers the penultimate selection.

Player selection

Compensatory picks

The draft was shortened to three rounds, from four rounds as in prior years. Compensatory picks were awarded to clubs that had acquired fourth round picks via earlier trades.
MLS teamPlayerCollegeConferenceAcademy teamAmateur teamSigned
82Sporting Kansas CityPASS
83Inter Miami CFPASS
84Real Salt Lakesortname|Rene|Whiterefn|No. 85: New England Revolution → Inter Miami. September 8, 2020: New England Revolution reacquired midfielder Lee Nguyen from Inter Miami CF in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft and up to $50,000 in general allocation money.|group=TradeN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/Arefn|No. 86: Minnesota United → Nashville. September 18, 2020: Minnesota United FC acquired goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2021 SuperDraft and up to $100,000 in general allocation money if he meets certain performance-based metrics for Minnesota.|group=Trade

2021 SuperDraft trades

;Round 1
;Round 2
;Round 3
;Compensatory picks

Notable undrafted players

Homegrown players

Original MLS teamPlayerPositionCollegeConferenceNotesRef.
Atlanta United FCWake ForestACC
New York City FCYaleIvy
Columbus CrewWake ForestACC

Players who signed outside of MLS

This is a list of eligible players who signed in leagues outside of MLS prior to the SuperDraft
PlayerNat.PositionCollegeConferenceTeamLeagueNotesRef.
Haitisortname|Mitch|Guitar

Other notable players

PlayerPosAffiliationPlayed in MLSNotes
Will PulisicGKDuke2021–2022