Let's talk about the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.
First, the draft isn't quite the talent generator it once was, even as recently as the last decade. In past years, teams could unearth a player like Clint Dempsey, and many Major League Soccer stars came through the draft. These days, you're more likely to find back-end roster stalwarts.
That's not a knock on the draft; it's an acknowledgement that player scouting across MLS is covering so much more territory as teams look for every edge they can find.
Look at how many teams are signing players from Sweden, for instance! Generally, though, players drafted in the first round are MLS-caliber players; players in the second and third rounds are either USL-level or below (although that is more of a rough assessment than anything else).
You can get a sense of what MLS really thinks about the draft by the fact that, even as recently as a decade ago, it was either televised or live-streamed, and you could attend it as a fan. Now, it's a conference call held privately, and the league posts the picks on their website with little fanfare.
• Ransford Gyan (Round One, #27)
Forward, Clemson University
• Kevin Pierre (Round Two, #57)
Midfielder, Georgia Southern University
• Joey Mueller (Round Three, #71)
Midfielder, University of Central Florida
• Luca Nikolai (Round Three, #87)
Defender, University of North Carolina
One other thing to remember: New York City FC just brought on Todd Dunivant as the chief soccer officer to replace David Lee. In his time at Sacramento and elsewhere, Dunivant earned a reputation for effective roster-building on a budget, a huge part of which is finding overlooked talent. This is his first draft, even if he doesn't officially join the club until January 1. Did he unearth some gems here? Only time will tell, but historically, New York City hasn't relied much on the draft for roster building. With the exception of Jack Harrison (who technically was drafted by Chicago Fire FC in 2016), most of the Pigeons' picks haven't really made an impact.
OK, let's briefly break down each of these players, and rate their chances of making the NYCFC roster.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Ransford Gyan, forward
Roster Chances: 7/10
Paul Harvey at American Soccer Analysis describes Ransford Gyan as arguably the funnest player in this year's draft; I'd probably agree. I watched a solid amount of men's college soccer this fall on ESPN+, and after New York City picked him this afternoon, I pulled up a couple of Clemson games. Gyan has a scoring touch, he's creative on the ball, and he was probably one of Clemson's best players, even as a sophomore. Gyan is a Ghanaian international, and a two-time Gatorade national player of the year.
