The ever-growing list of international players at the collegiate is easy to observe every year when the MLS Draft takes place. In the 2021 draft, 13 of the 27 players selected in the first round had ties abroad. Some arrived just for college, while others came earlier and matriculated to major DI programs.
This year should be no different, with another long list of international players hoping to be the next Julian Gressel in MLS. That’s becoming more and more challenging, with international spots in MLS typically reserved for higher level players – not guys already in their mid-20s that don’t have as much upside or investment surrounding them.
Still, there are players that should receive consideration. While players have extra eligibility and it remains unclear which players may return to school or transfer elsewhere, here’s a look at some of the international players (from outside the U.S. and Canada) to know ahead of the draft.
