Colin E. Braley/Associated Press

The 2018 MLS SuperDraft is almost upon us, with Rounds 1 and 2 scheduled to take place in Philadelphia on Friday.

Expansion team Los Angeles FC will have the first pick, followed by neighbours LA Galaxy and then D.C. United. 

Read on for a first-round mock draft and a look at some of the key players set to be involved.

2018 MLS SuperDraft Mock Selections

1. Los Angeles FC: Tomas Hilliard-Arce, D, Stanford 

2. LA Galaxy: Joao Moutinho, D, Akron

3. D.C. United: Francis Atuahene, M, Michigan

4. Montreal Impact: Ema Twumasi, M, Wake Forest

5. Minnesota United: Chris Mueller, F, Wisconsin

6. Orlando City: Mason Toye, F, Indiana

7. Montreal Impact: Tristan Blackmon, D, Pacific

8. New England Revolution: Mo Adams, M, Syracuse

9. New England Revolution: Jon Gallagher, F, Notre Dame

10. Real Salt Lake: Jon Bakero, M, Wake Forest

11. FC Dallas: Justin Fiddes, D, Washington

12. San Jose Earthquakes: Alan Winn, F, North Carolina

13. Sporting Kansas City: Danny Musovski, F, UNLV

14. Atlanta United FC: Albert Ruiz, F, Florida Gulf Coast

15. Chicago Fire: Ken Krolicki, M, Michigan State

16. New York Red Bulls: Brian White, M, Duke

17. Vancouver Whitecaps: Gordon Wild, F, Maryland

18. Sporting Kansas City: Wyatt Omsberg, D, Dartmouth

19. New York City FC: Drew Skundrich, M, Stanford

20. Houston Dynamo: Ben Lundgaard, G, Virginia Tech

21. Columbus Crew: Chris Lema, M, Georgetown

22. Seattle Sounders: Marcelo Acuna, F, Virginia Tech

23. Toronto FC: Oliver Shannon, M, Clemson 

Here's a look at the draft order in the second round:

MLS SuperDraft 2nd-Round Order

24. Los Angeles FC

25. Colorado Rapids

26. Vancouver Whitecaps   

27. Colorado Rapids

28. Minnesota United FC

29. FC Dallas

30. San Jose Earthquakes

31. New York Red Bulls

32. Columbus Crew

33. Real Salt Lake

34. FC Dallas

35. San Jose Earthquakes

36. Atlanta United FC

37. Montreal Impact

38. Chicago Fire

39. New York Red Bulls

40. LA Galaxy

41. Minnesota United

42. New York City FC

43. Houston Dynamo

44. Columbus Crew

45. Seattle Sounders

46. Toronto FC

Centre-back Tomas Hilliard-Arce looks set to be this year's No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft.

He won a third consecutive NCAA national championship with Stanford in December and looks to be one of the most talented players, and complete defenders, available.

Per Dave Zeitlin of MLSSoccer.com, Hilliard-Arce is convinced he has what it takes to make it in the professional ranks but was diplomatic about where he might end up after Stanford's 1-0 extra-time victory over Indiana in the championship game:

"It would obviously mean a lot [to be No. 1 pick]. That's something that's special to whoever gets that. But, at the same time, I'm just ready to be in a city that wants to have me.

"I think any team looking to add me to their organisation should hopefully see someone who's a leader, someone who has that competitive edge, someone who's a winner. I think that's something I can bring to any organisation, no matter the style of play."

See the video below for a glimpse at what Hilliard-Arce can do:

Other young stars who look set to be picked early in the draft are Akron university defender Joao Moutinho—a former member of Sporting CP's famed academy—and Wisconsin forward Chris Mueller. 

Centre-back Moutinho will likely be much sought-after given he is comfortable with the ball at his feet—so much so he has been tipped widely as a future defensive midfielder. Per Goal's Ives Galarcep, the Akron star has also been backed to become a left-back at professional level.

But rather than his versatility, it is his technique and composure that make him such an exciting prospect and a potential future star in MLS.

Mueller, meanwhile, enjoyed a stellar 2017, as he became the first player in over a decade to provide 20 assists in a single college season. He set up 20 goals in just 21 appearances, per NCAA.com.

He has the versatility to play anywhere across the front line and looks to have more than enough ability to be a superb playmaker or winger in MLS.