The MLS SuperDraft is the most exciting event in the lives of every young North American college soccer player.
With Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft getting underway tomorrow, Orlando City UK took this moment to reflect on how Orlando City SC‘s annual picks have fared since our inaugural 2015 season.
How will the 2021 MLS SuperDraft work?
Last year’s 2020 MLS SuperDraft was the first time the event was held exclusively via conference call and live web streaming on Twitter.
Featuring real-time highlights and live look-ins on club draft rooms, the experience was way more immersive than before.
The 2021 MLS SuperDraft will be held virtually once again tomorrow with Round 1 being streamed on mlssoccer.com or the free MLS app at 7:00pm (UK) / 2:00pm (US ET).
As for Rounds 2 and 3, these will be updated on a draft tracker, also featuring on mlssoccer.com.
What picks do Orlando City SC have?
With the order of Orlando City SC‘s 2021 MLS SuperDraft picks already determined, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions will have the 19th and 22nd picks in Round 1.
City acquired the 19th pick from Philadelphia Union on July 17 after trading Homegrown Player rights to Nathan Harriel.
With picks determined by league positioning in 2020, the Lions won’t be able to secure one of North America’s most prized college talents as they’ve grown accustomed to since joining Major League Soccer.
Combining both last season’s Eastern Conference and Western Conference, Orlando City SC finished fifth overall.
Our highest league finish in MLS to date, this means our 19th pick won’t be as sought-after as the likes of Cyle Larin, Chris Mueller, Santiago Patiño and Daryl Dike previously.
Additionally, City will have the 22nd (49th overall) pick in Round 2, and no picks within Round 3.
As is customary in Major League Soccer, 2021 new boys Austin FC will have the first pick overall – in other words the cream of the crop of North American college talent.
For full rules and regulations relating to the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, click here.
Reviewing Orlando City SC’s MLS SuperDraft picks so far
Without further ado, here are the young talents Orlando City SC have acquired via the MLS SuperDraft over the past six seasons.
2015 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Cyle Larin – 1st pick (Round 1)
Cyle Larin is still arguably Orlando City SC‘s finest MLS SuperDraft pick to date. Despite being the number one pick in 2015, the Canadian international surpassed all expectations.
Scoring 43 MLS goals for the Lions before a highly controversial switch to Beşiktaş in January 2018, Larin is right up there alongside Julian Gressel, Jack Harrison, Miles Robinson and Tim Parker in being one of the standout talents drafted from college in recent seasons.
Conor Donovan – 22nd pick (Round 2)
Making his MLS debut for Orlando City SC against Philadelphia Union in August 2015, an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the same game stunted Conor Donovan‘s Lions career before it barely begun.
His only MLS appearance for the Lions, Donovan now plays for USL Championship side OKC Energy FC.
Akeil Barrett – 25th pick (Round 2)
Orlando City SC supporters are probably shouting “who?” and that’s because Akeil Barrett never played a game for the Lions!
The Jamaican forward was the Lions’ 25th pick in 2015 but was waived shortly after.
Earl Edwards Jr. – 43rd pick (Round 3)
Affectionately nicknamed “The Landlord” during his three seasons at Orlando City SC, Earl Edwards Jr. was firmly cast in the role of backup goalkeeper for the Lions.
Making his professional debut against Charleston Battery in a crazy U.S. Open Cup game 4-4 (A.E.T) (7-8 on penalties) in June 2015, Edwards Jr. did go on to make six MLS appearances for Orlando City SC.
He recently completed an off-season transfer to New England Revolution after playing backup to Bill Hamid at D.C. United.
Sidney Rivera – 63rd pick (Round 4)
Dig out your inaugural season posters for this one because Sidney Rivera wasn’t an Orlando City SC player for long.
Taking squad number 26 during City’s first ever MLS campaign, the Staten Island native never made a single appearance under Adrian Heath.
2016 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Richie Laryea – 7th pick (Round 1)
A case of the one that got away, Richie Laryea enjoyed a standout 2019 playing for hometown side Toronto FC in their run to the 2019 MLS Cup Final.
This followed three seasons at Orlando City SC where he was a bit-part sub. Who knew he could do a job at full back? Greg Vanney, that’s for sure!
Hadji Barry – 13th pick (Round 1)
Before earning a senior international cap for Guinea, Hadji Barry was Orlando City SC‘s 13th pick in 2016.
A familiar face, Barry had been playing for Orlando City U-23 in 2015 but unfortunately, he never got a consistent run in the team.
Making 11 appearances for City’s first team, much of his game time came for Orlando City B where he struck 14 goals in 29 appearances.
Antonio Matarazzo – 48th pick (Round 3)
Again, a player who never made a first team appearance for Orlando City SC, midfielder Antonio Matarazzo last played for New York Cosmos B.
Tobenna Uzo – 68th pick (Round 4)
Just like Matarazzo, Tobenna Uzo never made it at Orlando City SC. The striker now plays in the USL Championship with FC Tulsa.
2017 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s pick
Danny Deakin – 64th pick (Round 4)
(Credit: @KDanielDeakin)
Running an exclusive interview with the Englishman in March 2017, Danny Deakin unfortunately didn’t make a first team appearance for Orlando City SC.
Instead, the Sheffield-born midfielder made 20 appearances for Anthony Pulis‘ Orlando City B.
2018 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s pick
Chris Mueller – 6th pick (Round 1)
Another hugely successful Orlando City SC MLS SuperDraft selection after Cyle Larin, Chris Mueller is quite simply a fan favourite at Exploria Stadium.
Making 83 MLS appearances for the Lions since 2018, “Cash” enjoyed a standout 2020 season and has since made his senior international debut with the USMNT, scoring a brace on his debut against El Salvador in December.
Chris Mueller‘s never-say-die attitude, love for the city and regular motivational tweets mean the Illinois-native is adored in Central Florida.
2019 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Santiago Patiño – 3rd pick (Round 1)
The second highest pick Orlando City SC have received following Cyle Larin‘s number one pick in 2015, Santiago Patiño was the third overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
A Colombian-born striker who was raised in Orlando, the 23-year-old signed for USL Championship side San Antonio FC earlier this month after making 13 MLS appearances for City.
Kamal Miller – 27th pick (Round 2)
A success story considering Orlando City SC‘s picked him up 27th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, Kamal Miller is now a fully fledged Canadian international.
Running an exclusive interview with Miller in August 2019, the defender made 16 MLS appearances under James O’Connor in 2019 and completed an off-season transfer to Club de Foot Montréal in December.
Tommy Madden – 38th pick (Round 3)
Playing for New Mexico United in the USL Championship in 2019, Tommy Madden never kicked a ball for Orlando City SC after being drafted by the Lions earlier that year.
Scott DeVoss – 59th pick (Round 3)
Just like Madden, Scott DeVoss never made it at Orlando City SC and has been playing at USL level for Hartford Athletic and FC Tucson since his 2019 draft.
2020 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Daryl Dike – 5th pick (Round 1)
The third highest pick Orlando City SC have received following Cyle Larin (1st) in 2015 and Santiago Patiño (3rd) in 2019, Daryl Dike has totally lived up to his 5th pick in 2020 – and how!
Just a year on from caps of Daryl Dike celebrating with family inside his Edmond, Oklahoma home, the 20-year-old is currently part of Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT January training camp, awaiting his senior international debut.
One of the United States’ most talked about young prospects, it’s been a meteoric rise for Dike.
Joey DeZart – 31st pick (Round 2)
With a lot more to come from 22-year-old Joey DeZart, the former Wake Forest University man made 11 MLS appearances under Oscar Pareja last season.
A former Jamaica U-20 training camp member in 2016, the defensive central midfielder would’ve appeared more had it not been for the strength in depth Orlando City SC possess in his position.
Jonathan Dean – 39th pick (Round 2)
Now playing for Birmingham Legion in the USL Championship, former UCF Knights defender Jonathan Dean never kicked a ball for Orlando City SC after being drafted last year.
Austin Aviza – 44th pick (Round 2)
Drafted from Providence College, Austin Aviza didn’t make Orlando City SC‘s MLS roster.
However, he did make 11 appearances for Marcelo Neveleff’s Orlando City B before being released at the end of the 2020 season.
Nick O’Callaghan – 57th pick (Round 2)
A previous member of the Orlando City SC academy, Winter Springs native Nick O’Callaghan unfortunately didn’t get to live out his dreams of playing for the Orlando City SC first team.
He did however make six appearances for Marcelo Neveleff’s Orlando City B before being released at the end of the 2020 season.