Yesterday, New York City FC had the eighth overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and selected forward Malachi Jones from Lipscomb University. In the third round, NYCFC drafted forward Taylor Calheira from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for the 66th overall pick.
What should NYCFC fans expect from these two players? In Jones, the club selected a forward who contributed to his team’s high-octane attack with buckets of assists. In Calheira, New York picked a goal-scoring machine who was named America East Striker of the Year in 2022 and 2023.
Malachi Jones: 12 assists in 18 games
Jones, a five-foot-ten sophomore, played a key part in Lipscomb’s third-straight Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Championship last season. The Bison’s high-powered attack scored a conference-leading 44 goals with 14 of them coming from number one MLS SuperDraft pick Tyrese Spicer, who was selected by Toronto FC.
Jones led the ASUN conference with 12 assists in 18 games while also scoring five goals. The 20-year-old can be described as primarily a left-winger who uses his pace to get in behind and test the goalkeeper or square the ball to a striker. Jones’s xG+xA per 90 of 0.70 can be attributed to many of Spicer’s goals, which were assisted by Jones.
Jones had a strong freshman season, as he had seven goals and three assists in 17 games. Jones was also named the 2022 Tennessee Soccer Player of the Year before beginning his collegiate career at Lipscomb.
Notably, Jones has two more years left of college, where he is studying engineering. Jones can elect to defer his selection until after graduation, which means we might not see him in sky blue for some time.
Taylor Calheira: 32 goals in 61 games
Calheira, who was named the America East Striker of the Year in 2022 and 2023, netted 32goals in 61 games with the Retrievers. Last season, Calheira scored 10 goals and provided four assists.
Calheira can play anywhere in attack, but the six-foot-one forward primarily played as striker for UMBC. Calheira has the strength and pace that can lead to his success. With Myers solidifying the role of NYCFC II’s number nine, it is possible that Calheira will play as an attacking midfielder or a winger if he signs with the second team.
Will they make the First Team?
NYCFC has found success with its previous draft picks. Jack Harrison, Jonathan Lewis, and Kevin O’Toole have all made a difference in the first team. Last year, New York selected Rutgers University striker MD Myers, who scored 19 goals for NYCFC II and was the joint-winner of the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot.
NYCFC has plenty of depth at the right wing, with players such as Julián FernĂ©ndez, Andress Jasson, and Alonso MartĂnez comfortable on the right. But it’s thinner at the left, where Talles Magno plays. MatĂas Pellegrini served as a backup last year, but he is no longer with the team.
Jones may not slot into the First Team, but he could find a place at NYCFC II. If he does sign with the Second Team, Jones will be able to adjust to New York City’s style of play. If Myers doesn’t begin next season with the First Team, expect Jones and Myers to be a dangerous attacking duo for NYCFC II.
New York now have two strikers in Mounsef Bakrar and Gabe Segal. The club are likely going to try to sign a primary striker this transfer window. Given the success of Myers, it would make sense that he is the backup choice at striker, meaning that the team does not need another striker in the first team.
It is surprising that NYCFC did not draft a center-back or defensive midfielder, but instead drafted two forwards. With impressive statistics, Jones and Calheira are promising and have the talent to make a difference with NYCFC II if they are signed.
