Top 5 picks of the 2022 Major League Soccer SuperDraft
The top five picks of the 2022 Major League Soccer SuperDraft are in. Charlotte FC kicked off the event as the league's latest expansion team, sweeping up one of College's best. Following the first pick, selections are the reverse order of teams that missed out on the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and then teams in order of elimination from the Playoffs.
With just five weeks left until the season starts, teams will have plenty of time to get their newest signings acclimatised.
These are this year's first five selections..
5. Kipp Keller - Saint Louis University
With the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 MLS #SuperDraft, @AustinFC select center back Kipp Keller out of @SLUMensSoccer! pic.twitter.com/CF2aqGwnuG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 11, 2022
Austin FC boost their defense by picking up Kipp Keller as their first pick and the fifth overall pick in their MLS SuperDraft.
Keller played as a sophomore in the spring 2021 season at Saint Louis University, and was named the 2021 Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He started in all 2021 games of his sophomore season and helped the team finish in the top-15 of the NCAA goals-against-average (0.81 goals per contest.)
Keller is a 'Generation adidas' player.
4. Thor Ulfarsson - Duke University
With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 MLS #SuperDraft, @HoustonDynamo select forward Thor Ulfarsson out of @DukeMSOC! pic.twitter.com/fN81hWZA4P
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 11, 2022
The Houston Dynamo selected forward Thorleifur Ulfarsson from Duke University with the fourth pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. The Icelander scored 15 goals this season for the Blue Devils.
Another 'Generation adidas' player on the list.
In Iceland, Ulfarsson began playing with the club Breidablik at age six and earned a place on the club’s Under-23 squad from 2017 to 2020 as a teenager.
3. Isaiah Parker - Saint Louis University
With the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 MLS #SuperDraft, @FCDallas select winger Isaiah Parker out of @SLUMensSoccer! pic.twitter.com/z3PQimJYg9
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 11, 2022
Parker joins FC Dallas after just one year at Saint Louis University. During his freshman year, the player made 21 appearances and made the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie team.
He inspired the Billikens to a 16-1-4 record, an undefeated regular season, and an NCAA quarterfinal appearance. He joins as a 'Generation adidas' player.
2. Roman Celentano - Indiana University
With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 MLS #SuperDraft, @fccincinnati select goalkeeper Roman Celentano out of @IndianaMSOC! pic.twitter.com/sLBXdqVH0b
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 11, 2022
A necessary pick for FC Cincinnati, who have been struggling with the goalkeeper position according to head coach Chris Albright. When asked about the selection, Albright stated: "it's definitely an area of need for us."
Roman spent three years with Indiana University as a Hoosier, and is also a 'Generation adidas' player.
1. Ben Bender - University of Maryland
With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 MLS #SuperDraft, @CharlotteFC select midfielder Ben Bender out of @MarylandMSoccer! pic.twitter.com/gKhG0Jl5Kv
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 11, 2022
Charlotte FC selected midfielder Ben Bender as the number one overall pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
He joins after spending two years at the University of Maryland, and stands as part of this year’s eight-player 'Generation adidas' class.
With the Terrapins, he was a First Team All-American and unanimous Big Ten Midfielder of the Year selection after scoring seven goals and notching five assists in 18 games.