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 2024 MLS SuperDraft getting underway this Friday (December 20), 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 2025 MLS SuperDraft work?
Since 2020, the MLS SuperDraft has been held exclusively via conference call and live web streaming online.
Featuring real-time highlights and live look-ins on club draft rooms, the experience has been way more immersive than before.
With Apple TV having since seized Major League Soccer broadcasting rights, the 2025 MLS SuperDraft will be streamed live on the platform on December 20 at 8:00pm (UK) / 3:00pm (US ET).
What picks do Orlando City SC have?
With the order of Orlando City SC’s 2025 MLS SuperDraft picks already determined, Oscar Pareja’s Lions will have the 27th, 57th, and 87th overall picks.
Since the Lions finished ninth out of 29 teams in the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, we ultimately have three lower-ranked picks this year.
With picks determined by league positioning, the Lions probably won’t secure one of North America’s most prized college talents as they’ve grown accustomed to since joining Major League Soccer.
Nevertheless, they might, should Orlando City SC trade for a higher pick in the hours leading up to the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, however.
This was the case part way through Round 1 of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft when the Lions traded $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money and $75,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money to Colorado Rapids in exchange for the 21st overall pick.
Selecting Jeorgio Kocevski as the 21st overall pick, the 22-year-old American midfielder recently had his option declined after his first and only season in purple.
As for last year’s 25th overall pick, Yutaro Tsukada impressed with Orlando City B before signing a first team contract with Orlando City SC in August 2024.
For 2025 MLS SuperDraft rules and regulations, 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 10 seasons.
2015 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Cyle Larin – 1st overall 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 still surpassed all expectations.
Scoring 43 MLS goals for the Lions before his highly controversial January 2018 move to Beşiktaş, Larin is one of Major League Soccer’s best-ever draft picks.
He’s right up there alongside the likes of Andre Blake, Jack Harrison, Miles Robinson, and Tajon Buchanan.
Now 29-years-old, Cyle Larin plays for La Liga side Mallorca after spells at Zulte Waregem, Club Brugge, and Real Valladolid.
He will have one eye on representing Canada at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – hosted in North America – before retiring from international football.
Conor Donovan – 22nd overall 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 Sacramento Republic.
Akeil Barrett – 25th overall 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 overall 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 the 2024 MLS season with New England Revolution, but made just one league start this year.
Sidney Rivera – 63rd overall 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 overall 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!
Earning a big move to Nottingham Forest in January 2022, Laryea’s stint this side of the pond was short-lived, however.
Now back in Major League Soccer with TFC, Laryea has 60 Canada caps to his name, and can always say that he played at a World Cup!
Laryea featured in three matches for Canada at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, starting against Belgium and Croatia while appearing as a substitute against Morocco.
Hadji Barry – 13th overall 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 overall 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 overall pick (Round 4)
Just like Matarazzo, Tobenna Uzo never made it at Orlando City SC. The striker most recently represented FC Tucson in 2021.
2017 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s pick
Danny Deakin – 64th overall pick (Round 4)
With Orlando City UK exclusively interviewing Danny Deakin in March 2017, the Englishman 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 overall pick (Round 1)
Another hugely successful Orlando City SC MLS SuperDraft selection after Cyle Larin, Chris Mueller was quite simply a fan favourite at Inter&Co Stadium.
Making 112 MLS regular season appearances for the Lions, “Cash” enjoyed a standout 2020 season, one that earned him a senior international debut with the USMNT, scoring a brace on his debut against El Salvador in December that year.
Chris Mueller’s never-say-die attitude, love for the city, and regular motivational tweets meant the Illinois-native was adored during his time in Central Florida.
It’s a shame that Mueller’s subsequent transfer to Scottish Premier League side Hibernian was protracted, leaving a small minority of City supporters disillusioned with the forward who now represents his hometown club back in MLS – Chicago Fire.
2019 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Santiago Patiño – 3rd overall pick (Round 1)
The third highest pick Orlando City SC have received after Cyle Larin (#1 in 2015) and Shakur Mohammed (#2 in 2023), Santiago Patiño was the third overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
A Colombian-born striker who was raised in Orlando, Patiño signed for USL Championship side San Antonio FC in January 2021 after making 13 MLS appearances for City.
Kamal Miller – 27th overall 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 senior Canadian international of 47 caps.
Like Richie Laryea, Miller was in Canada’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Enjoying a meteoric rise in the game, this was an outstanding achievement for Miller.
During the tournament, Miller started and finished all three of Canada’s Group F games against Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco.
With Orlando City UK exclusively interviewing Miller in August 2019, the defender made 16 MLS appearances under James O’Connor in 2019 and has since played for CF Montréal, Inter Miami, and now Portland Timbers.
Tommy Madden – 38th overall 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 overall pick (Round 3)
Just like Madden, Scott DeVoss never made it at Orlando City SC and has since played at USL level for Hartford Athletic and FC Tucson since his 2019 draft.
2020 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Daryl Dike – 5th overall pick (Round 1)
The fourth highest pick Orlando City SC have received after Cyle Larin (#1 in 2015), Shakur Mohammed (#2 in 2023), and Santiago Patiño (#3 in 2019), Daryl Dike was quite simply a sensational draft pick for City!
Now a household name not only in MLS but throughout Europe as well, Daryl Dike’s meteoric rise is undoubtedly one of the United States’ most heartwarming soccer stories in recent memory.
So impressive was his debut season at Orlando City SC that EFL Championship side Barnsley signed Daryl Dike on a short-term loan back in February 2021.
Impressing for the Tykes too, Dike secured a big transfer to West Bromwich Albion in January 2022 and has since made 29 EFL Championship appearances for the Baggies, scoring seven goals.
Unfortunately, serious injuries have curtailed Daryl Dike’s playing time at The Hawthorns but we wish him a speedy recovery as he attempts to get back to the heights experienced early in his career.
These heights also include Dike earning 10 caps for the USMNT with the big striker having been part of the USMNT squad that won the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Las Vegas.
Joey DeZart – 31st overall pick (Round 2)
Making 29 MLS appearances under Oscar Pareja, Joey DeZart never really made it at Inter&Co Stadium and now plays for USL Championship club Miami FC.
The former Wake Forest University was also a former Jamaica U-20 training camp member back in 2016.
Jonathan Dean – 39th overall pick (Round 2)
Now playing for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, former UCF Knights defender Jonathan Dean never kicked a ball for Orlando City SC after being drafted by the Lions in January 2020.
Austin Aviza – 44th overall pick (Round 2)
Drafted from Providence College, goalkeeper Austin Aviza never made 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 overall pick (Round 2)
A previous member of City’s 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.
2021 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Derek Dodson – 8th overall pick (Round 1)
A top-10 pick for Orlando City SC, Derek Dodson never made a first team appearance for the Lions despite showing promise in the USL Championship.
After a stint with Charleston Battery, Dodson had another crack at MLS by joining Minnesota United in January 2024.
But having failed to emulate fellow double-D striker Daryl Dike, first team opportunities have remained elusive with the Loons as well.
Rio Hope-Gund – 19th overall pick (Round 1)
Like Dodson, Rio Hope-Gund was another who didn’t make the grade for Orlando City SC in MLS.
Despite being named as a City substitute 17 times, Hope-Gund never made a single MLS appearance.
Hope-Gund did sign another first team MLS contract with New York City FC in March 2024, but didn’t see any minutes this past season.
Brandon Hackenberg – 22nd overall pick (Round 1)
Coming from a sporting family, Brandon Hackenberg didn’t play any part for Orlando City SC in MLS but did make 16 appearances for Orlando City B back in 2022.
He was also an unused substitute in City’s glamorous mid-season friendly with Arsenal in July 2022 – not something many can say!
Brandon’s father, Erick, was a star high school quarterback at Marian Catholic, and his mother Nikki played volleyball collegiality at Lehigh.
The second of four brothers, Brandon’s older brother, Christian Hackenberg was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets and his younger brother, Adam Hackenberg, played baseball at Clemson and was selected in the 18th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago White Sox.
Brandon’s youngest brother, Drue, also played baseball at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Atlanta Braves with the 59th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft.
Andrew Pannenberg – 49th overall pick (Round 2)
Drafted from Wake Forest University, goalkeeper Andrew Pannenberg never made Orlando City SC’s MLS roster.
In December 2023, Pannenberg signed with MLS NEXT Pro side Carolina Core FC ahead of the team’s inaugural season.
2022 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Jack Lynn – 18th overall pick (Round 1)
Named the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Most Valuable Player, Jack Lynn enjoyed a stellar season with Orlando City B two seasons ago.
Named to the MLS NEXT Pro ‘Best XI’ for the second year in a row, 2023 saw Lynn become the joint-winner of the ‘Golden Boot’, scoring 19 goals and playing in all but one of OCB’s 28 matches (20 starts).
This year, Jack Lynn scored his first two MLS goals for Orlando City SC, bagging his first in a 2-0 win over Austin FC on March 23 before helping City snatch a late 89th minute win (0-1) at San Jose Earthquakes on May 18.
However, Lynn will continue to struggle for first team minutes with Ramiro Enrique, Duncan McGuire, and Luis Muriel all ahead of him in our striking pecking order.
Nathan Dossantos – 46th overall pick (Round 2)
Drafted from Marshall University, defender Nathan Dossantos never made Orlando City SC’s MLS roster.
The Canadian of Brazilian descent spent two seasons playing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC before joining Charleston Battery in January 2024.
Nick Taylor – 74th overall pick (Round 3)
Despite being a lowly pick for Orlando City SC back in 2022, Nick Taylor is now a senior international for Cambodia.
Born in Coppell, Texas, Taylor’s mother is Cambodian making him eligible to represent Cambodia internationally.
Since earning 16 caps for the Asian side, Taylor made his senior international debut back in September 2022, entering as a 60th minute substitute in a 1–0 loss to Bangladesh.
Domestically, he also made 22 appearances for Orlando City B back in 2022.
2023 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Shakur Mohammed – 2nd overall pick (Round 1)
Orlando City SC selected Shakur Mohammed as the second overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
But disappointingly, the Ghanaian has made just two MLS appearances in two full seasons for City.
Considering he was such a high pick for the Lions, our supporters have long been curious to see what “Shak” can do for City’s first team.
A versatile forward, Mohammed did tally 11 goals and two assists across 2,087 minutes for Orlando City B this past season.
Despite this however, he just hasn’t been able to make inroads into Oscar Pareja’s first team.
Duncan McGuire – 6th overall pick (Round 1)
Enjoying a 2023 rookie season for the ages, nobody, nor Duncan McGuire himself could’ve foreseen 13 Major League Soccer goals being scored so early into his professional career.
A debut season scoring tally only surpassed by Cyle Larin who bagged an outstanding 17 goals back in 2015, Duncan McGuire’s 2023 was so good that the Orlando City SC Front Office decided to part ways with Ercan Kara midway through the campaign.
Unseating a #9 Designated Player during your first ever season as a pro rarely happens in MLS, such was the fast-track nature of McGuire’s meteoric rise.
As a humble guy who is just getting started at Orlando City SC, Duncan McGuire’s outstanding efforts earned him his first USMNT cap back in January 2024.
After his infamous transfer to Blackburn Rovers collapsed back in February 2024, McGuire is now back fully focused on Orlando City SC and signed a new deal with the Lions through 2027 this past August.
A huge fan favourite at Inter&Co Stadium, “Orlando Runs on Duncan”!
Abdi Salim – 17th overall pick (Round 1)
Seeing his option declined at the end of 2024, Orlando City SC supporters recently said goodbye to Abdi Salim who made just three MLS appearances for the Lions.
Rarely called upon by Oscar Pareja, Salim did make 20 appearances for Orlando City B across 2023/24 though.
Now a fully-fledged senior international, October 2023 saw Kenya-born Salim called up to the Somalia national team.
He has since earned six caps for the East African nation.
Luis Grassow – 46th overall pick (Round 2)
Drafted from the University of Kentucky, German / U.S. defender Luis Grassow never made Orlando City SC’s MLS roster.
Unfortunately for Grassow, City’s second-round draft pick decided to retire due to personal reasons – just one month after the Lions selected him.
2024 MLS SuperDraft – Orlando City SC’s picks
Jeorgio Kocevski – 21st overall pick (Round 1)
Selecting Jeorgio Kocevski as the 21st overall pick last year, the 22-year-old American midfielder recently had his option declined after his first and only season in purple.
This was somewhat surprising, especially considering that City traded $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money and $75,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money to Colorado Rapids in exchange for him.
Only making 11 MLS appearances for Orlando City SC, this included just one start at Columbus Crew (4-3) on September 21.
With time on Jeorgio Kocevski’s side, the American of Macedonian heritage will hope to join another MLS roster soon.
Yutaro Tsukada – 25th overall pick (Round 1)
Back on August 15, the Lions officially announced that Orlando City B winger Yutaro Tsukada had signed a first team contract with Orlando City SC through 2025 with club options in 2026 and 2027.
An unused substitute in Orlando City SC’s FC Series 2024 friendly with Flamengo in January 2024, Tsukada spent most of 2024 playing with Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro.
So far, the 23-year-old has tallied seven goals and eight assists across 1,711 minutes of action for Manuel Goldberg’s OCB.
His form for Orlando City B was so impressive that Yutaro Tsukada was previously called up three times on short-term loan agreements by Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC.
Firstly, for the Lions’ game at Philadelphia Union (A) on May 11 before games against Inter Miami (H) and San Jose Earthquakes (A) thereafter.
And it was during the May 15 match against Florida rivals Inter Miami that Tsukada made his Major League Soccer debut for City.
He replaced Facundo Torres during second-half stoppage time, playing three minutes and offering a brief glimpse of his potential in first team soccer.
After that, Yutaro Tsukada was also included in Orlando City SC’s squad for the 2024 Leagues Cup.
He made a nine-minute appearance off the bench against CF Montréal but remained an unused substitute in the matches against Atlético de San Luis and Cruz Azul.
Proving that hard work gets you far, Orlando City UK was delighted to see Yutaro Tsukada not only join Orlando City SC’s first team roster, but become our first-ever Japanese player in MLS.
Filip Mirkovic – 54th overall pick (Round 2)
Drafted from the University of Pittsburgh, Filip Mirkovic never made Orlando City SC’s MLS roster.
But the American midfielder of Serbian descent was an unused substitute in Orlando City SC’s FC Series 2024 friendly with Flamengo in January 2024.
Mirkovic’s time in Central Florida was incredibly short-lived, however.
Just two months after getting drafted, Mirkovic joined Crown Legacy FC of MLS NEXT Pro.
Riyon Tori – 83rd overall pick (Round 3)
Drafted from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, midfielder Riyon Tori couldn’t follow in the footsteps of fellow Japanese draft pick Yutaro Tsukada.
Like Filip Mirkovic, Tori didn’t even receive any game time with Orlando City B.
Now, he’s back at UNC Charlotte playing for the 49ers men’s soccer team.