Round 3

Virginia center back Andreas Ueland was the only player in my top twenty to fall to the third round. Find out who secured him in the third round.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: December 30, 2022.

59. Seattle Sounders: Blake Bowen, M, San Diego State B Grade
    
    
    The 5-8 140 lb Blake Bowen is versatile enough to play the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 7 at right winger, and the 8 at central midfielder. The MLS league website has him listed as a defender, but he played right winger on the opposite side of C.J. Fodrey at San Diego State.
    
    
    
    Blake Bowen had 3 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, and helped San Diego State record 4 shutouts in 2022. He's definitely someone who can start out in MLS Next that could be eventual depth piece on the Seattle Sounders as either a backup right winger or midfielder.
    
    
    
60. D.C. United: Aidan Rocha, M, Georgetown A Grade
    
    
    D.C. United drafts a midfielder for depth here. Georgetown right back Aidan Rocha is versatile enough to play the 2 at right back, the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 7 at right winger, and the 8 at central midfielder.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 155 lb Aidan Rocha had 3 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, and 7 shutouts for Georgetown in 2022. He can be used as a depth piece on midfielder or defense.
    
    
    
    Aidan Rocha took over for Dylan Nealis at right back after Georgetown won the 2019 College Cup. He also participated in the 2022 MLS College Showcase. D.C. United traded the second overall pick in the 2023 MLS Super Draft for Orlando City S.C. starting right back Raul. This was a good addition here for depth by D.C. United in the third round.
    
    
    
    
    
61. Toronto F.C.: Charlie Sharp, F, Western Michigan A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-5 185 lb Charlie Sharp hacd 11 goals, 8 assists, and 30 points with Western Michigan after leading them to the final MAC Championship in MAC history in 2022 before helping Western Michigan get to the Sweet 16 in the 2022 College Cup where Western Michigan defeated Louisville on the road in a loud ACC environment before knocking off 9 seed Lipscomb in the round of 32. Western Michigan lost to Portland in the sweet 16 of the 2022 College Cup.
    
    
    
    He was MAC Freshman of the Year as a true freshman in 2019 too. Western Michigan and three other MAC schools are going to the Missouri Valley Conference for Mens Soccer in 2023 while the status of Akron and Chicago State remains unknown at this point. I had a first round grade on Charlie Sharp, but he didn't get an invite to the 2022 MLS College Showcase. I mocked Charlie Sharp to Toronto F.C. in the second round despite him being Toronto F.C.'s third round pick.
    
    
    
    Charlie Sharp is a natural 9 at striker. Toronto F.C. does not have a goal scoring striker and I'd argue he's an upgrade over every current striker on Toronto F.C..
    
    
    
62. San Jose Earthquakes: Hunter George, F, Maryland C Grade
    
    
    San Jose gets a left winger for depth behind Cade Cowell. Maryland left winger Hunter George makes a lot of sense here since he's someone that can play the 9 at striker and the 11 at left winger.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 145 lb Hunter George started 20 games at forward for Maryland. Hunter George had 3 goals, 4 assists, and 10 points in 2022.
    
    
    
    San Jose had 0/2 left backs, 0/2 attacking midfielders, and 1/2 defensive midfielders on the teams active roster heading into the 2023 MLS Super Draft. San Jose had a golden opportunity to complete their rebuild, but instead opted to draft for depth at center back, striker, and left winger.
    
    
    
    I know some San Jose Earthquakes fans are disappointed. Travis Clark gave San Jose an A grade for their draft, but I couldn't disagree further with that. San Jose reached in all three rounds drafting for value over need. Daniel Munie in the first round, Liam Butts in the second round, and Hunter George in the third round are all good players. None of those three were at positions of need for San Jose, and all three of those selections felt like slight reaches in terms of overall value.
    
    
    
    I didn't hate this draft to the point where I handed out F grades. That being said, San Jose may be one of the five biggest losers from the 2023 MLS Super Draft if you take away the allocation money they got from New England when trading down from 4 to 10.
    
    
    
    
    
63. Houston Dynamo F.C.: Frantz Pierrot, F, Connecticut A- Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 205 lb Frantz Pierrot is versatile enough to play the 9 at striker or the 11 at left winger. Frantz Pierrot had 5 goals, 2 assists, and 12 points with Connecticut in 2022.
    
    
    
64. Chicago Fire F.C.: Noah Egan, D, Vermont A Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Noah Egan started all 22 games for Vermont playing in all 11 of the teams shutouts in 2022. He can play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back. He complimented center back Garrett Lillie and goalie Nate Silveria. Lillie and Sliveria may have been captains, but Noah Egan was the most consistent of those three in terms of production. That trio with Vermont having two center backs and a great goalie got them to the Elite 8 of the 2022 Men's College Cup.
    
    
    
    Chicago Fire F.C. could use some youth at center back. I really like the value this pick provides in the third round.
    
    
    
    
    
65. Nashville S.C.: Makel Rasheed, D, Xavier B Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 197 lb Makel Rasheed is extremely versatile. He can play the 2 at right back, the 3 at left back, the 4 at sweeper, the 5 at center back, and the 6 at defensive midfielder.
    
    
    
    Makel Rasheed had 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, and helped Xavier record 7 of their 8 shutouts in 2022 before his season ending injury. Really good job by Nashville S.C. find big versatile defenders in the 2023 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    
    Makel Rasheed is really effective when healthy. This would have been an A grade had Rasheed not suffered a season ending injury.
    
    
    
66. New York City F.C.: MD Myers, F, Rutgers A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 165 lb MD Myers also known as Matthew Myers had 14 goals, 4 assists, and 32 points in the Spring of 2021 at High Point. MD Myers had 7 goals, 3 assists, and 17 points in the Fall of 2021 at High Point. MD Myers transferred to Rutgers for his senior season. MD Myers had 13 goals, 7 assists, and 33 points in 2022. MD Myers played in the 2022 MLS College Showcase after leading Rutgers to a Big Ten Championship in 2022 and he won't occupy an International roster slot.
    
    
    
    I had a top 20 grade on MD Myers. This was a massive steal for New York City F.C. here in the third round.
    
    
    
    
    
67. Chicago Fire F.C.: Billy Hency, M, Loyola A Grade
    
    
    Chicago Fire F.C. get a hometown player in the third round. Billy Hency from Loyola Chicago is a great value pick here.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 150 lb Billy Hency had 7 goals, 7 assists, and 21 points in 2022. Billy Hency can play the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 8 at central midfielder, and the 10 at attacking midfielder. Very versatile box-to-box midifelder that can play anywhere in the center of your midfield.
    
    
    
68. New England Revoultion: Andreas Ueland, D, Virginia A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-5 190 lb Andreas Ueland had 2 goals, 4 poitns, and has helped Virginia record 8 shutouts in 2022. Ueland is one of the best center backs in College Soccer when it comes to taking up space and defending effectively. Andreas Ueland won the 2022 ACC Defensive Player Of The Year Award.
    
    
    
    Andreas Ueland can play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back. He can get too handsy sometimes, but when he plays clean he's one of the most reliable center backs in College Soccer.
    
    
    
    I had Andreas Ueland at fourteenth on my final big board. He was my top ranked player entering the third round of the 2023 MLS Super Draft. The New England Revolution are gonna stash him in MLS Next and develop him on New England Revolution II if they sign him to a contract.
    
    
    
    
    
69. Charlote FC: Andrew Privett, M, Penn State C Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 170 lb Andrew Privett dominated at the 10 playing attacking midfielder with 9 goals, 4 assists, and 22 points in 2021. He played more of the 8 at central midfielder in 2022 and had less points as a result. He's clearly a depth player at this point in the third round.
    
    
    
70. Colorado Rapids: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Colorado was the first team to pass on a pick in the 2022 MLS Super Draft too. The best player available in the 2022 MLS Super Draft when Colorado passed on their pick was Pedro Dollabella. The best player available this year was Pedro Dollabella's Marshall teammate Gabriel Alves.
    
    
    
    MLS, can you require teams to draft players. That would at least give more players in College Soccer hope about turning professional.
    
    
    
    Last year, everyone in my top 24 overall got drafted, it's a huge improvement by the scouting departments compared to previous MLS Super Drafts, but Pedro Dollabella was my twenty fifth best overall player and he went undrafted because Colorado passed on their late second round pick in 2022. I'm glad nobody passed on their pick until the third round, but I'm still disappointed in Colorado since there were five players that I had first round grades on still available in the third round. Colorado still needs to be held accountable for passing on their pick.
    
    
    
    
    
71. Vancouver Whitecaps: Buster Sjoberg, D, Syracuse A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-5 195 lb Buster Sjoberg had 1 assist and helped Syracuse record 6 shutouts in 2021. Buster Sjoberg has helped Syracuse record 8 shutouts in 2022. He can play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back. Buster Sjoberg can be a good center back for Vancouver Whitecaps II in MLS Next and will not require an International roster slot unless he gets promoted to Vancouver's MLS roster. This was a pick that I ended up correctly mocking and I even provided a link to my 2023 MLS Mock Draft if you don't believe me.
    
    
    
    
    
72. Austin FC: Salvatore Mazzaferro, D, South Florida A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 170 lb Salvatore Mazzaferro is versatile enough to play the 3 at left back, the 4 at sweeper, the 5 at center back, and the 11 at left winger. He'll probably be a depth player on the back line at either left back or center back in MLS Next if he signs a contract to play in MLS Next. This guy showed some ability to play on offense and utilize his speed effectively when watching him and South Florida against Florida International.
    
    
    
73. Portland Timbers: Jaden Jones-Riley, D, Dayton A Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 160 lb Jaden Jones-Riley plays the 2 at right back. Jaden Jones-Riley had 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 points, and helped Dayton record 7 shutouts in 2022. Jaden Jones-Riley led Dayton in minutes played with 1,544. He's money when he puts the right amount of kicking power and kicking accuracy into his shot.
    
    
    
    
    
74. Real Salt Lake: Moses Mensah, D, Campbell A Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 160 lb Moses Mensah is versatile enough to play the 3 at left back, the 4 at sweeper, and teh 5 at center back. Moses Mensah was also a four time Big South First Team defender.
    
    
    
    Moses Mensah had 6 assists and 6 points in 2021. Moses Mensah had 3 assists, 3 points, and helped Campbell record 7 shutouts in 2022.
    
    
    
    Moses Mensah will start out in MLS Next and could work his way up to Real Salt Lake's roster. This is a low risk high reward selection in the third round.
    
    
    
75. CF Montreal: Ousman Jabang, D, Mercer B- Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 162 lb Ousman Jabang is versatile enough to play the 4 at sweeper, the 5 at center back, and the 6 at defensive midfielder. Ousman Jabang is fast and versatile. He can mirror both wingers and strikers with his speed.
    
    
    
    Ousman Jabang had 2 goals, 5 assists, 9 points, and helped Mercer record shutouts in 2022. Jabang showcases superb athleticism, but I'd like to see him play with more physicality. Mercer's best player Dylan Gaither was also still on the board which is why I gave CF Montreal a B- grade here.
    
    
    
    
    
76. Chicago Fire F.C.: Wilmer Cabrera Jr., F, Butler A Grade
    
    
    The 5-8 155 lb Wilmer Cabrera Jr. is the son of former Houston Dynamo and Montreal Impact head coach Wilmer Cabrera. Wilmer Cabrera coached his son Wilmer Cabrera Jr. on the Rio Grand Valley FC Toros in the USL in the Spring and Summer when Wilmer Cabrera Jr. wasn't on Butler.
    
    
    
    Wilmer Cabrera Jr. is versatile enough to play the 8 at central midfielder, the 9 at striker, and the 10 at attacking midfielder. Wilmer Cabrera Jr. had 6 goals, 4 assists, and 16 points with Butler in 2022.
    
    
    
77. Los Angles Galaxy: Passed F Grade
    
    
    The Los Angeles Galaxy had two third round picks and opted not to use either one. If the Galaxy felt this strongly, then maybe they should have tried to move both third round picks and some allocation money to improve their draft position. As a fan of the Los Angeles Galaxy I'm kind of pissed about this.
    
    
    
78. Nashville S.C.: Rory O'Driscoll, M, New Hampshire A Grade
    
    
    Nashville S.C. gets a central midfielder here for depth. The 5-10 150 lb Rory O'Driscoll plays the 8 at central midfielder. Rory O'Driscoll won American East Midfielder Of The Year in The Spring of 2021. Rory O'Driscoll had 7 goals, 2 assists, and 16 points in 21 starts in the Fall of 2021. Rory O'Driscoll still had 6 goals, 2 assists, and 14 points in only 7 starts in 2022. I mocked Rory O'Driscoll to Nashville S.C. in this exact spot, so this was the second third round pick that I correctly guessed.
    
    
    
    
    
79. New York Red Bulls: Amos Shapiro-Thompson, M, Boston College D Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 150 lb Amos Shapiro-Thompson felt like a reach. Someone like Boston College left back Tyshawn Rose would have been a better selection then Amos Shpairo-Thompson.
    
    
    
    Amos Shapiro-Thompson is a solid central midfielder at the 8. Rose was a captain at left back and impressed me more on film.
    
    
    
    Amos Shaprio-Thopson had 2 goals, 3 assists, and 7 points in 2022. This pick felt like a reach.
    
    
    
    
    
80. FC Cincinnati: London Aghedo, D, Air Force A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 184 lb London Aghedo led Air Force with 1,452 minutes played in 2021 during his junior season when 2022 second round pick Tristan Trager was there. Travis Clark has him ranked as his sixth best center back despite not being at the 2022 MLS College Showcase because Air Force only allowed 1.31 goals per game in 2022. London Aghedo had 2 goals, 1 assists, 5 points, and helped Air Force record 4 shutouts while playing 1,205 minutes, leading Air Force to the number one seed in the WAC Tournament, earning WAC Defensive Player Of The Year in 2022. London Aghedo has enough stamina and dedication to be drafted in the first two rounds of the 2023 MLS Super Draft. He's versatile enough to play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back.
    
    
    
    London Aghedo fell to the third round because FC Cincinnati and other MLS teams were worried about his committment to the military. This is an amazing value pick at this point though since I had a second round grade on London Aghedo while Travis Clark had this guy as his dark horse player to sneak into the first round.
    
    
    
81. Los Angeles Galaxy: Passed F Grade
    
    
    London Aghedo was selected by F.C. Cincinnati because we passed on our first third round pick. Passing on that pick meant the Los Angeles Galaxy didn't pick here. Los Angeles could have drafted London Aghedo and Keegan Hughes and didn't come away with either center back. Drafting my number one goalie Russell Shealy is the lone reason why I haven't lost my cool as a fan of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
    
    
    
    
    
82. F.C. Dallas: Kameron Lacey, F, Charlotte A Grade
    
    
    F.C. Dallas gets a forward for depth. Kameron Lacey makes a lot of sense for F.C. Dallas in the third round.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 175 lb Kameron Lacey is versatile enough to play the 7 at right winger, the 8 at central midfielder, the 9 at striker, the 10 at attacking midfielder, and the 11 at right winger. He was on F.C. Dallas and Orlando City S.C.'s Academy Teams growing up. He was born in Jamacia, but his hometown was Miami FL before playing High School at Monverde Academy.
    
    
    
    Charlotte was 8-0-0 when Lacey recorded a point in in 2021. Lacey had 5 goals, 5 assists, and 15 points in 2021. Lacey had 9 goals, 7 assists, and 25 points in 2022. Kameron Lacey will develop on North Texas SC which is the official MLS Next team of F.C. Dallas, but could be on F.C. Dallas by 2024 or 2025. F.C. Dallas won't have to give him an MLS contract if he requires an International roster slot and can make Lacey earn bigger opportunities in MLS Next.
    
    
    
83. CF Montreal: Nick Christoffersen, G, Penn A Grade
    
    
    CF Montreal extended their starting goalie. This was a team that needed to draft a quality backup goalie to develop for the future.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 185 lb Nick Christopffersen was the best Ivy League goallie in College Soccer this past Fall dominating at the 1 showing MLS Scouts why he was worthy of being drafted. Nick Christoffersen in the third round is a way better value pick then Elian Haddock in the first round.
    
    
    
    Nick Christopffersen went 13-3-2 with an Ivy League best 0.77 goals against average, 14 goals allowed fewest in the Ivy League, and 7 shutouts in 2022. His goaltending got the Penn Quakers an Ivy League Championship in 2022.
    
    
    
    
    
84. Nashville S.C.: Lyam MacKinnon, F, Villanova B Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 175 lb Lyam MacKinnon is versatile enough to play the 6 at defensive midfielder, the 7 at right winger, the 8 at central midfielder, the 9 at striker, the 10 at attacking midfielder, or the 11 at left winger. He's a big versatile offensive dynamo when healthy. Lyam MacKinnon had 5 goals, 1 assist, and 11 points in 12 games for Villanova in 2022.
    
    
    
    Nashville S.C. will add Lyam MacKinnon to develop on Huntsville City FC which is the official MLS Next team of Nashville S.C., but could be on Nashville S.C. by 2024 or 2025. Nashville won't have to give him an MLS contract if he requires an International roster slot and can make Lyam MacKinnon earn bigger opportunities in MLS Next.
    
    
    
85. Portland Timbers: Tyler Clegg, D, James Madison B+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 196 lb Tyler Clegg is versatile enough to play the 4 at sweeper or the 5 at center back. Tyler Clegg had 5 goals, 1 assist, 11 points, and helped James Madison record 6 shutouts in 2022.
    
    
    
    Tyler Clegg has good short and medium kicking accuracy on his passes. He was a team captain on a James Madison soccer team that made it all the way to the 2022 Sun Belt Championship game.
    
    
    
    
    
86. Philadelphia Union: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Philadelphia had 7/8 International roster slots occupied prior to the 2023 MLS Super Draft. Philadelphia drafted a domestic and International player in the first two rounds before passing on their third round pick. Philadelphia also has a very good Academy for developing players too.
    
    
    
87. LAFC: Noah Dollenmayer, D, Cal State San Bernardino D Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 195 lb Noah Dollenmayer only played 3 games with Cal State San Bernardino. LAFC could have drafted someone else in state like Stanford's Keegan Hughes. Drafting a local player in state is what saves this pick from being the first F grade. Also, LAFC drafted for need here.
    
    
    
88. Portland Timbers: Passed F Grade
    
    
    Portland had all 8 International slots occupied prior to the 2023 MLS Super Draft. Portland got this fourth round pick in a trade with Real Salt Lake, and since Portland didn't draft anyone here I'm counting this fourth round compensation pick as the final third round pick in the 2023 MLS Super Draft.
    
    
    

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