Twenty-eight ECNL Boys alumni selected in MLS SuperDraft, a new high for the league

A record 28 ECNL alumni were selected in December’s 2026 MLS SuperDraft, highlighted by “Generation Adidas” signings Ricky Louis and Nick Simmonds being selected 2nd and 3rd overall by FC Dallas, marking the two-highest selections in MLS SuperDraft history for ECNL alumni.

“Generation Adidas” is an MLS partnership through which Adidas sponsors the athlete’s first professional contract for the team that drafts them. In total, nine ECNL alumni from eight different clubs were selected in the first round.

Harvey Sarajian (Florida West), Zack Lillington (Marin FC), Joe Highfield (Minnesota Thunder Academy), Jaylen Yearwood (GSA), Zach Ramsey (Eastside FC), Thomas Hut (Match Fit Academy), and Jaylinn Mitchell (Slammers FC) were all selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft.

After scoring four goals in his freshman season at Georgia Southern, Louis made a leap in year two, leading the team with nine goals and 21 points. The sophomore shined in key moments of the year, scoring both goals in Georgia Southern’s 2-1 win over then No. 4 Marshall, marking the first top five win for the Eagles in program history.

“I’m super excited. This is something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid,” Louis said. “I’m just grateful for my family who’s been there by my side, all my teammates that helped me work hard, and all the coaches giving me the experience.”

Louis credited his time with Florida West in the ECNL for helping get him to the position he is in today, most notably an opportunity he had in the 2022 ECNL National Selection Game in South Carolina. Louis scored the game-winning penalty in that game and put himself on Georgia Southern’s radar with his performance.

“All it takes is one opportunity for someone to see your talent,” Louis said. “When I got the opportunity to play in that showcase that’s how Georgia Southern found me.”

“I have to thank my coaches from Florida West because I was blessed with the opportunity to get to play in South Carolina,” Louis said. “Without them I wouldn’t be at Georgia Southern.”

Simmonds starred for Virginia this year being named the ACC Freshman of the Year following an outstanding season where he scored 10 goals and added five assists. A former ECNL National Champion with Richmond United in 2023, Simmonds was sensational for the Cavaliers this season scoring two goals in Virginia’s win over then No. 1 Wake Forest, a game-winning goal over then No. 2 North Carolina State, and the first hat trick by a Virginia player in 13 years in a win over Clemson. Simmonds also assisted on the game-winning goal that clinched the regular season ACC title for Virginia in a win over SMU. His 10 goals were the most of any freshman in a power-four program.

Simmonds comes from a strong soccer background. His father Greg played professionally in the MLS and USL, and also made two appearances for DC United in the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup, while his sister Kameron, also an ECNL alumni with Richmond United, helped lead Florida State to this year’s NCAA National Championship and appeared for Jamaica at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Simmonds believes that background contributed to giving him the extra push to become a pro.

“I think as a young kid your goal is always to play at the highest level. For me, with Richmond United through ECNL, that was a goal I was striving for,” Simmonds said. “My sister being there and making that jump as well gave me that extra drive to push forward.”

Louis and Simmonds follow in the footsteps of ECNL alumni Alex Harris (Columbia Premier) and Joey Skinner (Charlotte Independence) who also both signed Generation Adidas contracts. Harris was selected 4th overall in last year’s MLS SuperDraft, while Skinner was selected 11th overall in 2023.

With the ECNL continuing to see record numbers of players selected at the professional level, Simmonds described his time in the ECNL as the perfect platform to help him get to where he is now.

“The ECNL should definitely get its flowers, for me,” Simmonds said. “It was the perfect setup for me. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was competitive and it was fun to be a part of. I look back on those times and it was a lot of fun doing showcases and playoffs. It was a very fun and competitive league.”

Below is a full list of ECNL alumni selected in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, along with the club who selected them, and their draft position.

Ricky Louis (Florida West)
2nd overall – FC Dallas

Nick Simmonds (Richmond United)
3rd overall – FC Dallas

Harvey Sarajian (Florida West)
5th overall – Orlando City

Zack Lillington (Marin FC)
7th overall – St. Louis City SC

Joe Highfield (Minnesota Thunder Academy)
11th overall – Houston Dynamo

Jaylen Yearwood (GSA)
14th overall – Orlando City

Zach Ramsey (Eastside FC)
17th overall – Vancouver Whitecaps

Thomas Hut (Match Fit Academy)
21st overall – New York Red Bulls

Jaylinn Mitchell (Slammers FC)
23rd overall – Minnesota United

Tre Wright (Lonestar SC)
33rd overall – Real Salt Lake

Jefferson Amaya (Charlotte Independence*)
42nd overall – Real Salt Lake

Aidan Godinho (Florida Kraze Krush)
46th overall – CF Montreal

Joe Dale (Seattle United)
51st overall – Nashville SC

Luke Adams (FC Dallas)
52nd overall – Charlotte FC

Asher Hestad (Seattle United)
56th overall – Colorado Rapids

Yeider Zuluaga (PacNW SC)
59th overall – Vancouver Whitecaps

Noah James (SDSC Surf)
62nd overall – Atlanta United

Tate Lorentz (NC Fusion)
63rd overall – CF Montreal

Blake D’Agostino (Real Colorado)
64th overall – Sporting KC

Sebastian Conlon (Arlington Soccer)
65th overall – LA Galaxy

Aiden Bengard (Legends FC)
67th overall – Minnesota United

Kyle McGowan (Oregon Premier FC)
68th overall – New England Revolution

Joey Mueller (Sporting Jax)
71st overall – NYCFC

Brayden Beason (Solar SC)
73rd overall – Real Salt Lake

Patrick Cayell (CESA)
77th overall – Austin FC

Stockton Short (La Roca/Utah Avalanche)
81st overall – Seattle Sounders

Iain Wagner (SDSC Surf)
84th overall – LAFC

Connor Lofy (XF Academy)
89th overall – Vancouver Whitecaps

(*Former ECNL club)