FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas will once again feature as the kickoff event for a new calendar year, but with a streamlined twist for 2020. The traditional draft format has been revamped, moving away from a centralized draft location to an online show jointly produced by MLS and ESPN.
With preseason less than two weeks away, here is everything you need to know before the new SuperDraft gets underway.
THE BASICS
Date: Thursday, January 9
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
HOW TO WATCH
This year’s SuperDraft show will stream live on Twitter, with a Twitter Event Card that includes the live stream and real-time highlights from the event all in one experience. Live streams will also be available on the ESPN App, YouTube, and Facebook.
NEW FORMAT
The MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas online show will be jam-packed. The live stream will feature several new elements, including embedded cameras to give you an inside, live look at club draft rooms, as well as with players and club decision makers. This format will be used to conduct Rounds 1 and 2 of the MLS SuperDraft, while Rounds 3 and 4 will be conducted on Monday, January 13, via conference call.
All told there will be 26 players selected in each round, and clubs will now be permitted three minutes – as opposed to four in previous years – to make their player selections. There will also be no intermission between rounds.
Full draft rules and procedures are available HERE.
PROSPECTIVE ATHLETES
The majority of draft prospects are college seniors who have finished their college eligibility, but there are also several Generation adidas players available for selection. This year, there are four Generation adidas players and two pre-signed seniors available.
NEW ENGLAND’S SUPERDRAFT PICKS
NOTE: SuperDraft picks are subject to change all the way up to and during selection
First Round
6th overall (acquired from Sporting Kansas City)
13th overall (natural selection)
Second Round
30th overall (acquired from Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
43rd overall (acquired from D.C. United)
Third Round
NO SELECTIONS
Fourth Round
NO SELECTIONS
FULL SUPERDRAFT ORDER
There will be four total rounds in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas. The league’s newest expansion sides, Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, will have the first two picks, respectively, while Miami also hold the third overall pick.
A live tracker of Thursday’s draft and the draft order are available HERE.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas gives those selected an opportunity to train with the club that selects them. However, this does not guarantee that they will be signed to a contract. Most athletes – apart from those signed to Generation adidas contracts and pre-signed seniors – will have a chance to earn their spot on the roster during preseason.
Make sure to follow along with the Revolution’s social channels for the up-to-date team coverage of the SuperDraft presented by adidas.
