The 2021 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas will once again serve as the kickoff event for a new calendar year, with a virtually streamed format this Thursday afternoon.
With the 2021 season around the corner, here is everything you need to know before this year's SuperDraft gets underway.
THE BASICS
Date: Thursday, January 21
Time: 2 p.m. ET
HOW TO WATCH
This year’s SuperDraft Round 1 will stream live on MLSsoccer.com, the MLS App, Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, and Pluto TV as clubs make their selections. Rounds 2 and 3 will not be streamed but will be tracked live via the MLSsoccer.com's SuperDraft tracker.
SUPERDRAFT FORMAT
The MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas will be jam-packed. Here are the procedures to keep an eye on as the selections are underway:
Draft Rounds:
The 2021 MLS SuperDraft will include three rounds and 86 total selections. All three rounds will be conducted on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. Of note, the SuperDraft shifts this year from four rounds to three. As a result, any club that acquired a Round 4 pick via trade on or before October 29, 2020 will receive a compensatory pick at the conclusion of Round 3.
Selection Clock:
Each team is allotted three minutes to make a selection.
Intermissions:
There will be 10 minute breaks between Rounds.
Timeouts:
Each team is permitted one timeout, lasting three minutes, with their selection made immediately after.
Trades:
Prior to being announced, trades need to be verified and approved by the Commissioner and/or his designee. Trade announcements will not reveal the identity of players until those players have been contacted by their respective clubs. For example, Team A trades a "player to be named later" for Team B's first selection.
Team Passing:
In the event a team passes, it shall be precluded from making any further picks for the remainder of MLS SuperDraft.
Full draft rules and procedures are available HERE.
PROSPECTIVE ATHLETES
The majority of draft prospects are college seniors, with a full list of eligible players available HERE, but there are also several Generation adidas players available for selection. This year, there are five Generation adidas players available.
NEW ENGLAND’S SUPERDRAFT PICKS
NOTE: SuperDraft picks are subject to change all the way up to and during selection
First Round
24th overall
Second Round
51st overall
Third Round
78th overall
FULL SUPERDRAFT ORDER
There will be three total rounds in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas. The league’s newest expansion side, Austin FC, will have the first overall pick, and be selecting first in each of the remaining rounds. Clubs will then make picks in reverse order of the 2020 regular season standings and taking into account performance in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
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 – will have a chance to earn their spot on the roster during preseason.
Make sure to follow along on the Revolution’s social channels for the up-to-date team coverage of the SuperDraft presented by adidas.
