The first round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia is in the books.
Beginning with the inaugural pick for expansion side Orlando City SC, here are the results:
No. 1 - Orlando City SC
Cyle Larin (FW, University of Connecticut)
Related: Orlando City selects Cyle Larin with No. 1 pick in 2015 MLS SuperDraft
The consensus No. 1 pick, the 19-year-old forward will arrive at the expansion club having scored 23 goals in 39 matches over two seasons at Connecticut. Already with three senior international caps to his name, Larin is widely viewed as one of the best prospects in Canadian soccer.
No. 2 - New York City FC
Khiry Shelton (FW, Oregon State University)
The expansion side surprised many by passing on Cristian Roldan, opting instead for the pace, size and power of forward Khiry Shelton. The product of Oregon State scored 19 goals and added 17 assists over his four-year spell with the Beavers.
No. 3 - Montreal Impact
Romario Williams (FW, University of Central Florida)
Another physically gifted striker, the 20-year-old Jamaican scored 18 goals and added five assists in 51 appearances over his three seasons at Central Florida, and should provide head coach Frank Klopas with a solid option for an attack that already boasts Jack McInerney.
No. 4 - San Jose Earthquakes
Fatai Alashe (MF, Michigan State Univesity)
The run of strikers came to an end with San Jose, who opted for the defensive midfielder out of Michigan State. Alashe, whose mobility separated him from other defensive-minded midfielders in the draft, is capable of playing in central defense, which is always a bonus for team's - like the Earthquakes - who have shortcomings in multiple positions.
No. 5 - Portland Timbers
Nick Besler (MF, Notre Dame)
A polished central midfielder with impressive vision and technique on the ball, the younger brother of American international Matt Besler may be able to step in and provide immediate help for the Timbers this season.
No. 6 - Toronto FC
Alex Bono (GK, Syracuse University)
Joe Bendik's time in Toronto is numbered. The club used their first of three picks in the opening round on the Generation adidas goalkeeper out of Syracuse, whom many are looking towards as the next great American shot-stopper.
No. 7 - Chicago Fire
Matt Polster (DF, SIU-Edwardsville)
Somewhat of a surprise at No. 7, as the Fire went off the board and selected Polster, whose strong showing at the MLS Combine helped overturn initial projections that didn't have him going in the opening round.
No. 8 - Houston Dynamo
Zach Steinberger (MF, Butler University)
Head coach Owen Coyle needed some depth in midfield, and the selection of Steinberger helps accomplish that. The former manager of English sides Bolton and Wigan maintained that he wanted the "best talent available" with the No. 8 pick, which should say a lot about Steinberger's ability considering the names that were still on the board at this point.
No. 9 - Toronto FC
Clement Simonin (DF, North Carolina State)
The big surprise of the opening round came at No. 9. The French central defender, a native of Lorient, will likely be given time to develop at Toronto FC's USL Pro affiliate this season.
No. 10 - Sporting Kansas City
Connor Hallisey (MF, University of California)
The best left-winger available in the draft, Hallisey will help a Sporting Kansas City team that is desperately in need of wide, creative attackers.
No. 11 - Toronto FC
Skylar Thomas (DF, Syracuse University)
Toronto completed its work in the opening round by going local, taking the colossal Pickering, Ont., center-back. Thomas, who stands at 6-foot-4, helps address an obvious need in central defense for the Canadian club.
No. 12 - Sporting Kansas City
Saad Abdul-Salaam (DF, University of Akron)
At 6-foot-4, the right-back, who was a former walk-on at Akron, is an intriguing prospect. It's rare to see a fullback with such impressive height, and while he will obviously need to hit the weight room, the idea of Abdul-Salaam dashing up and down the touchline at Sporting Park is exciting.
No. 13 - Vancouver Whitecaps
Tim Parker (DF, St. John's University)
Another physically imposing central defender, the Whitecaps will be hoping that the pace and power Parker showcases on tape from his time in college will translate into the professional game. If it does, look out.
No. 14 - Colorado Rapids
Axel Sjoberg (DF, Marquette University)
Pick acquired via trade with Columbus Crew
Colorado jumped up from the No. 19 spot in order to select Sjoberg, a mountain of a defender. Towering over opposing strikers due to his 6-foot-7 frame, the Swede is already 24 years old and will likely be able to contribute earlier than many of his younger peers selected on the day.
No. 15 - FC Dallas
Otis Earle (DF, University of California - Riverside)
A skilled player who has wonderful athleticism, Earle was widely viewed as the best left-back in the draft. When you can get a player described as such, more than midway through the opening round, you should be more than happy to jump at the chance.
No. 16 - Seattle Sounders
Cristian Roldan (MF, University of Washington)
Pick acquired via trade with Real Salt Lake
Roldan, who many thought who be off the board with the second overall pick, became that guy on Thursday, sliding down the board. Jumping at the opportunity to take the attacking midfielder, new Seattle general manager Garth Lagerwey swung a deal with his former side to move up. Will this be looked at as the steal of the day?
No. 17 - D.C. United
Selection: Miguel Aguilar (FW, University of San Francisco)
One of the players who most improved his draft stock at the MLS Combine, Aguilar is a skilled attacker who played as a central forward during his collegiate career. At only 5-foot-9 though, he projects to be more of a winger in MLS, which is where he impressed playing out on the right side during the combine.
No. 18 - New York Red Bulls
Leo Stolz (MF, UCLA)
The Red Bulls, now without Thierry Henry, need an influx of attacking talent. Stolz fits that bill. Last season's Hermann Trophy award winner as the top college player in the United States, he scored 20 goals and added 22 assists in 63 matches for UCLA. The only concern with Stolz, a German native, is that he was receiving interest from clubs back home, and did not want to play in MLS.
No. 19 - Columbus Crew
Sergio Campbell (DF, University of Connecticut)
Another towering defender, the Jamaican stands at 6-foot-4, and in the short term could provide good cover for the equally imposing presence of Austrian Emanuel Pogatetz. If a partnership does materialize one day, they certainly wouldn't lose any aerial duels.
No. 20 - Sporting Kansas City
Amadou Dia (DF/MF, Clemson Univeristy)
Closing out their trio of picks in the opening round, Peter Vermes and Sporting Kansas City opted for the versatility of Dia, who started 48 of his 52 matches with Clemson - most of those as a defender.
No. 21 - Los Angeles Galaxay
Ignacio Maganto (FW, Iona College)
One of the stars of the MLS Combine, the ultra-skilled, tricky Spaniard is a versatile option that can play multiple midfield spots, including out wide. It isn't a position of need for the club, but stockpiling talent is a luxury afforded to the reigning champions.
