The MLS Super Draft happened on Tuesday and Ben Binder was selected first overall by Charlotte FC. For NYCFC with the last pick in the first round it meant a chance to acquire more GAM and pick up some decent players to boot.
NYCFC traded their 28th pick to Dallas for 50,000 in GAM and the 34th pick. Picking sixth in the second round or last in the first round is not a huge drop off and it gave the team a chance to get more funds to make more memorable signings. It was a smart and savvy move by the front office.
With their second round pic The team selected Kevin O’Toole of Princeton. O’Toole is a two time Ivy League Offensive Player of the year and could prove a nice pick up as a back up for the front line of midfield at NYCFC. He was a unanimous first team All Ivy League selection in 2021 and can play either in the midfield or at forward. He spent 2020 training with the NY Red Bulls. At the very least he will fill out the second team NYCFC squad this year on the MLS Next roster.
For the last pick in the second round, NYCFC selected Kingsford Adjei from the University of Dayton. Born in Ghana and standing only at five feet five inches, he is not a specialist in the air but the midfielder/forward did excel in Dayton. For the past three years he was named to the A-10 First Team. He is ranked first in the A-10 and nationally at penalty kicks and is ranked in the top 50 in shots per game.
For the 84th pick in the draft, NYCFC selected an outright forward in El Mehdi Youssoufi from St Francis Brooklyn. The Moroccan scored six goals in 15 appearances last year and even had a goal appear on ESPN’s Sport Center’s Top 10.
NYCFC went for more attacking options this year in the draft and if one of them pay off then they could help fill the void left by the loss of players like Jesus Medina and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi. The team begins training this Friday and the addition of these young attacking options will be exciting to watch. With Valentine Castellanos eyeing a move to Europe, the team will need viable replacements at least until they are able to shore up their two empty DP slots either in the January window or in the summer.
Ronny Deila is known for player development and the three new additions will have plenty of opportunities to impress before the season begins in March. NYCFC play the first round of the Champions League starting in February. David Lee and Ronny Deila are sure to be hoping they found a diamond in the rough with one of these three. Time will tell.
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