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MLS SuperDraft 2017: Complete Round-by-Round Results and Twitter Reaction

Tim Daniels@TimDanielsBRFeatured ColumnistJanuary 13, 2017

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 22:  Miles Robinson #19 of the Syracuse Orange controls the ball as Eduvie Ikoba #12 of the Dartmouth Big Green defends during the second half at the SU Soccer Stadium on November 22, 2015 in Syracuse, New York.  Syracuse defeated Dartmouth 2-1.  (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
Rich Barnes/Getty Images

Expansion club Minnesota United made UCLA forward Abu Danladi the top overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft on Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. Syracuse defender Miles Robinson was the second player off the board to fellow expansion team Atlanta United.

Danladi and Robinson represented the first of 44 selections made during Friday's event, which covered the first two rounds. The third and fourth rounds are scheduled to get completed Tuesday through a conference call involving the league's 22 franchises.

Let's check out a complete list of picks made Friday in L.A. That's followed by a recap of some notable selections and a look at the social-media reaction to the annual showcase of incoming players.

                                  

Draft Results

2017 MLS SuperDraft: Round 1 and 2 Results
PickClubSelection
-Round 1-
1Minnesota UnitedAbu Danladi, F, UCLA
2Atlanta UnitedMiles Robinson, D, Syracuse
3New York City FCJonathan Lewis, F, Akron
4Portland TimbersJeremy Ebobisse, F, Duke
5Columbus CrewLalas Abubakar, D, Dayton
6San Jose EarthquakesJackson Yueill, M, UCLA
7Vancouver WhitecapsJakob Nerwinski, D, UConn
8Atlanta UnitedJulian Gressel, M, Providence
9Columbus CrewNiko Hansen, F, New Mexico
10Houston DynamoJoe Holland, M, Hofstra
11Chicago FireDaniel Johnson, M, Louisville
12D.C. UnitedChris Odoi-Atsem, D, Maryland
13Real Salt LakeReagan Dunk, D, Denver
14Sporting Kansas CityColton Storm, D, UNC
15Colorado RapidsSam Hamilton, M, Denver
16New York City FCKwame Awuah, M, UConn
17New York Red BullsZeiko Lewis, M, Boston College
18FC DallasJacori Hayes, M, Wake Forest
19Montreal ImpactNick DePuy, F, UC Santa Barbara
20New England RevolutionBrian Wright, F, Vermont
21Toronto FCBrandon Aubrey, D, Notre Dame
22Seattle SoundersBrian Nana-Sinkam, D, Stanford
-Round 2-
23Minnesota UnitedAlec Ferrell, G, Wake Forest
24Colorado RapidsLiam Callahan, D, Syracuse
25Philadelphia UnionMarcus Epps, M, South Florida
26Chicago FireStefan Cleveland, G, Louisville
27Chicago FireGuillermo Delgado, F, Delaware
28San Jose EarthquakesLindo Mfeka, M, South Florida
29Vancouver WhitecapsFrancis de Vries, D, St. Francis
30Houston DynamoJake McGuire, G, Tulsa
31New England RevolutionNapo Matsoso, M, Kentucky
32Portland TimbersMichael Amick, D, UCLA
33Philadelphia UnionAaron Jones, D, Clemson
34D.C. UnitedEric Klenofsky, G, Monmouth
35Real Salt LakeJustin Schmidt, D, Washington
36Houston DynamoDanilo Radjen, D, Akron
37FC DallasWalker Hume, D, UNC
38New York City FCJalen Brown, F, Xavier
39New York Red BullsEthan Kutler, F, Colgate
40FC DallasAdonijah Reid, F, ANB Futbol Academy
41Montreal ImpactShamit Shome, M, FC Edmonton
42Minnesota UnitedThomas de Villardi, M, Delaware
43D.C. UnitedJo Vetle Rimstad, D, Radford
44Seattle SoundersDominic Oduro, D, FC Nordsjaelland
MLSSoccer.com

                         

Recap and Reaction

Danladi is coming off a strong junior campaign with the Bruins during which he tallied a team-high seven goals and two assists across 11 appearances. In all, he found the net 18 times and assisted on 18 more goals in his three years at UCLA.

The Ghana native could step right in to a key attacking role for the Loons. Although there's always a learning period when a young prospect starts going up against experienced professional players, his vision and playmaking ability make him ready for the challenge.

Minnesota United passed along a message from Danladi to the supporters:

Minnesota United FC @MNUFC

A message for you, Minnesota... https://t.co/PmSpUtA4W4

The Pac-12 Network provided a glimpse at his attacking skills back in November:

Pac-12 Network @Pac12Network

Abu Danladi is CLUTCH. His game-winning screamer is the @UCLAMSoccer @OpusBank #12Best Moment! #Pac12MSOC https://t.co/fQmpATixYG

While Minnesota opted for offense with its first MLS pick, Atlanta United went the opposite direction to select Robinson. The 6'2'', 185-pound defender was an immense physical presence at the collegiate level en route to winning the 2016 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

His stature gives him the look of a future stalwart center back at the pro level, but he does bring some offensive skill to the table, as well. He racked up four goals and an assist for the Orange in 2016.

Major League Soccer relayed an interview with Robinson after his selection:

Major League Soccer @MLS

.@ATLUTD are getting a good one. https://t.co/1NZ9BCAbnz

Bay Area broadcaster Tim Swartz is bullish on the defender, including at the international level:

Tim Swartz @TimSwartz

Congrats to Miles Robinson of Syracuse for going 2nd in MLS SuperDraft. Huge talent could be MNT player.

New York City FC pulled off a trade with the Chicago Fire to acquire the third pick. The club made the decision to take Akron forward Jonathan Lewis, a surprising choice based on the side's immense defending woes across its first two years in MLS.

That said, there's no doubting Lewis' long-term potential. He was one of the nation's best distributors, accumulating 12 assists in 22 games for the Zips in 2016. He also scored a pair of goals during his freshman season.

Glenn Crooks of WFAN showcased comments from the winger, who was named the top player at the MLS Scouting Combine, about manager Patrick Vieira's potential vision after the pick:

Glenn Crooks @GlennCrooks

Lewis #NYCFC named top player #MLSCombine-"I showed pace and he (Vieira) said he loves that-maybe just a Jack (Harrison) on the left" #MLS

Ives Galarcep of Goal USA analyzed the selection:

Ives Galarcep @SoccerByIves

Jonathan Lewis really boosted his stock at the MLS Combine, he's a really dynamic player who gives NYCFC even more depth in midfield attack

In all, the first round featured the selection of six forwards, eight midfielders and eight defenders. Three schools—UCLA, Connecticut and Denver—tied for the lead with two players apiece taken inside the round's 22 picks.

Alec Ferrell became the first goalkeeper taken by Minnesota with the first selection in Round 2. Andy Greder of St. Paul Pioneer Press passed on further details about the Wake Forest standout:

Andy Greder @andygreder

Former MLS coach Sigi Schmid says #MNUFC's 23rd pick, goalkeeper Alec Ferrell, was the best keeper in college last season.

Every team will hope the players it drafted Friday will eventually make an impression on their club. Though in some cases, it could take multiple years before they develop enough to do so. Finding valuable depth through the draft is critical to success in MLS.

That said, the picks are even more important for Minnesota and Atlanta. Those front offices were tasked with trying to secure future faces of the franchise as they build from the ground up. Danladi and Robinson are saddled with those expectations but should prove worth the investment.