2021 MLS Draft Rankings: Version 1.0

2021 MLS Draft Rankings: Version 1.0
by TopDrawerSoccer
January 15, 2021

The 2021 edition of the MLS Draft is set to go ahead on January 21.

This despite the fact that all but a handful of college programs played in the fall, which predominately featured ACC teams and a few others.

MLS announced a list of 176 players eligible, which featured an interesting group of names. Included in it are players that competed in the 2019 college season, but went on to sign contracts with USL Championship or League One teams. It's unclear how exactly that will work, as it will be dependent on each player's contract and whether or not that they structured to let them leave for a training camp opportunity for an MLS shot.

As an example, Josh Bauer signed a deal with Birmingham Legion, but a source confirmed that it is structured to allow him to compete for a spot on an MLS team. The other players to watch in this scenario are all included in the TDS Top 50: Joshua Penn (Indiana), Daniel Steedman (Virginia), Nicky Hernandez (SMU) and Aedan Stanley (Duke). At the very least, players like that could have their MLS rights drafted at some point.

Three Generation adidas signees were also introduced, as Philip Mayaka, Calvin Harris and Daniel Pereira make the jump from ACC programs. All three will require international roster spots, but could develop into quality players in the league. Surveying the talent pool, there's not a Daryl Dike-level talent in the mix either -- none of these players jump out as potentially attracting interest from overseas teams. Andrea Ueland could potentially join the GA class prior to next week's draft.

Below is the Top 50 rankings for the draft, compiled in consulation with The Soccer Syndicate.

Rank Player Position School
1 Philip Mayaka* M Clemson
2 Calvin Harris* F Wake Forest
3 Josh Bauer D New Hampshire
4 Daniel Pereira* M Virginia Tech
5 David Egbo F Akron
6 Nabi Kibunguchy D UC Davis
7 Aime Mabika D Kentucky
8 Rio Hope-Gund D Georgetown
9 Matt Di Rosa D Maryland
10 Rodney Michael M/F UC Santa Barbara
11 Joshua Penn F Indy Eleven
12 Kimarni Smith F Clemson
13 Aedan Stanley D Unattached
14 Luther Archimede F Syracuse
15 Daniel Steedman M Atlanta United 2
16 Joshua Drack D Denver
17 Logan Panchot D Stanford
18 Edward Kizza F Pittsburgh
19 Irakoze Donasiyano M Virginia
20 Danny Trejo F CSUN
21 Spencer Glass D Indiana
22 Giuseppe Barone M Michigan State
23 Derek Dodson F Georgetown
24 Justin Malou D Clemson
25 Nicky Hernandez M North Texas SC
26 Kristofer Strickler F Virginia Tech
27 Jon-Talen Maples D SMU
28 Alexander Dexter F Pittsburgh
29 Louis Perez M UCF
30 Matthew Constant D North Carolina
31 Jackson Ragen D Michigan
32 Andrew Panenberg GK Wake Forest
33 Lamine Conte D Louisville
34 Thomas Judge D James Madison
35 Leroy Enzugusi M Drake
36 Thomas Williamson F California
37 Avionne Flanagan M South Florida
38 Justin McMaster F Wake Forest
39 Joe Hafferty D Oregon State
40 Diego Gutierrez F Creighton
41 Ben Di Rosa D Maryland
42 Javain Brown D South Florida
43 Mitch Guitar M Wisconsin
44 Yoni Sorokin M UCF
45 Charlie Wehan F Stanford
46 Paul Rothrock M Georgetown
47 Umar Farouk Osman F Michigan
48 Michael DeShields D Wake Forest
49 Mark Winhoffer M Yale
50 Jacob Stensson M Denver
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