The 2025 MLS Draft has come and gone with several of tomorrow’s stars finding their homes for the future.
Manu Duah, Max Floriani, and Dean Boltz headlined the top draft picks in Friday’s draft. The San Jose Earthquakes had two of the top five overall selections in the first round with Floriani and Reid Roberts both heading to Bruce Arena’s squad.
Donovan Parisian was the first goalkeeper selected in Friday’s draft, being selected by the New England Revolution at No. 18 overall.
Expansion side San Diego FC made five selections as Mikey Varas’ squad continues to grow ahead of their 2025 debut.
A total of 90 players were selected in Friday’s action, which surpassed the entire total of the 2024 MLS Draft.
Here is a closer look at the first round selections of the 2025 MLS Draft:
2025 MLS Draft
First Round
1. San Diego FC — Manu Duah, Midfielder
2. San Jose Earthquakes — Max Floriani, Midfielder
3. Chicago Fire — Dean Boltz, Forward
4. Colorado Rapids — Alex Harris, Forward
5. San Jose Earthquakes— Reid Roberts, Defender
6. Colorado Rapids — Matthew Senanou, Defender
7. St. Louis CITY SC — Emil Jaaskalainen, Forward
8. Sporting KC — Jansen Miller, Forward
9. Charlotte FC — Mikah Thomas, Defender
10. DC United — Hakim Karamoko, Forward
11. FC Dallas — Enzo Newman, Defender
12. Colorado Rapids — Efetobo Aror, Midfielder
13. CF Montreal — Michael Adedokun, Forward
14. Portland Timbers — Ian Smith, Defender
15. Vancouver Whitecaps — Tate Johnson, Defender
16. Colorado Rapids— Sydney Wathuta, Forward
17. New York City FC — Max Murray, Defender
18. New England Revolution— Donovan Parisian, Goalkeeper
19. Real Salt Lake — Jesus Barea, Forward
20. LA Galaxy— Jason Bucknor, Defender
21. Real Salt Lake— Max Kerkvilet, Goalkeeper
22. LAFC— Alec Hughes, Forward
23. Toronto FC — Reid Fisher, Defender
24. San Diego FC — Ian Pilcher, Defender
25. Minnesota United — Roman Torres, Midfielder
26. Colorado Rapids – Joshua Copeland, Forward
27. Orlando City — Joran Gerbet, Midfielder
28. Seattle Sounders — Ryan Baer, Midfielder
29. Real Salt Lake – Lineker Rodrigues Dos Santos, Forward
30. Real Salt Lake – Sergi Solans, Forward.
Here is a link to the full list of Friday’s 90 draft selections:
I think San Diego FC is proceeding well. They recently got long time MLS player Anibel Godoy as a free agent and their first choice in this year’s draft is the only college player to have double figures in both goals and assists, with 11 of each. If they sign all their draftees, that will bring them to 19 players and they got two international slots in a trade earlier with Seattle, so they will undoubtedly bring in some international players in January. Their biggest problem may be integrating all the players into a team, which will probably take several months after the start of the season.
Hearing US Soccer will become more involved as a governing body for College soccer. And if College soccer goes to a fall / spring schedule then College soccer becomes more relevant again as a developmental league for aspiring pros.
1400 Colleges have soccer programs with exceptional facilities. Why not use that as assets for the continued growth of soccer in this country. Eligibility rules are basically gone in College sports. MLS / USL teams could also use College as a pretty good development league for kids who may have outgrown MLS next pro etc.. for a few seasons. Every stone should be unturned in this country to develop our young players.