Going into Thursday, the expected story for the MLS SuperDraft was well-worn. Philip Mayaka would have been the top pick in the draft in 2020 had he signed his Generation adidas contract then, and 2021 should be no different.
Mayaka was referred to multiple times by MLS pundits as “the most obvious number one pick in the draft since 2015.” But when the time came, Austin FC chose Daniel Pereira with their first selection. At two, FC Cincinnati needed to address their issues at forward and selected Calvin Harris.
So, after trading into the top 10 and then again into the top three, the Rapids got a player said to be the most likely to make an immediate impact in the league in Mayaka,
“We’re thrilled with how the draft went.