Minnesota United had three picks in the first round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, but not from their original spot. The Fire traded up to the #5 spot originally occupied by Minnesota, who then got the #15 spot from that trade, as well as a Chicago player, Matt Lampson. With the money from that trade, the Loons then traded with Montreal for the #7 pick, and also traded with Toronto to gain the final pick.

Round 1

#7 – Mason Toye (Forward, Indiana)

With the #7 pick in the MLS SuperDraft, Minnesota United chose Mason Toye. He is part of the Generation Adidas program, one of seven members in this year’s SuperDraft. He scored ten goals in his freshman season, and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He is a player who can take on his man 1v1, as well as hold the ball up when necessary.

Toye was the youngest player coming into the SuperDraft, at just 19, and one of just two teenagers on the books for this Draft. He is 6’3”, and will offer something different to the two forwards that Minnesota United currently has, in Abu Danladi and Christian Ramirez.

#15 – Wyatt Omsberg (Defender, Dartmouth)

Wyatt Omsberg was very much overlooked coming into the MLS Combine this week, with other big names such as Joao Moutinho and Tomas Hilliard-Arce expected to go at the top (and they did, #1 and #2). However, at 6’4”, Osmberg could fit straight in at the back for the Loons come the start of the season.

At 22, he is one of the older players in the Draft, but he brings with that more experience from his college years. He could become a starter right away, with Francisco Calvo moving out to left-back, or maybe with the Loons playing three at the back. They could start Omsberg alongside Calvo and Boxall in a back three.

#23 – Carter Manley (Defender, Duke)

Minnesota traded with Toronto for the final pick of the first round in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, and selected Carter Manley out of Duke University. Manley is a right-back who can go forward from full-back, but he can also play centre-back if required.

Manley played well in the Combine, but would be expected to become the third-choice right-back, with the Loons having brought in Tyrone Mears from Atlanta United in the offseason. In 2017, Jerome Thiesson played most of the season in that right-back position, and they would be expected to be ahead of Manley on the depth chart.

Round 2

#41 – Xavier Gomez (Midfielder, Nebraska-Omaha)

Xavier Gomez was drafted by Minnesota with the #41 pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, after United traded with Portland for the pick. Gomez played for Nebraska for four years, and scored five goals and recorded eight assists for the team in his senior year.

Gomez played at least fifteen games in his first three years at Nebraska-Omaha, and will add to a growing number of midfielders on the Minnesota United roster. He is a playmaker, which could help him get into the side.

Written by Matt Coles. – @Mattjcoles