MLS Draft 2022 results: Updated tracker with every pick by club

The 2022 MLS draft, known as the SuperDraft, took place on Tuesday with expansion side Charlotte FC making Maryland midfielder Ben Bender the No. 1 pick. 

Among the players taken early were ones that won't be counting against a club's salary budget in 2022 after signing special generation adidas contracts. There was also a run by teams at eight defenders and two goalkeepers in the opening 14 picks of the draft.

FC Dallas made six draft picks to lead the draft, while Vancouver Whitecaps came away with five players. LAFC didn't have a pick and the Philadelphia Union passed on its only selection. Saint Louis University saw six of its players selected in the three-round draft.

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Below is the rundown of every pick made in all three rounds, as well as a recap of each club's draft-day haul.

2022 MLS draft picks by club

2022 MLS Draft order: 1st Round

2022 MLS Draft order: 2nd Round

2022 MLS Draft order: 3rd Round

Who were the top 2022 MLS draft prospects?

This season, goalkeeper was the position to watch, and eight of them were taken in the three-round draft with three in the first round alone. By comparison not a single goalkeeper was taken in the first round of last year's draft, with the first taken by FC Dallas all the way down at pick No. 48.

There were several talented strikers in the pool including Kyle Holcomb and Thor Ulfarsson from the ACC, with a bulging forward group ready to bag goals in the upcoming season. The thin position this year was midfielder.

MORE: National Women's Soccer League draft picks

Listed below are 18 players who were projected to go early. Saint Louis, which reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, has a number of top players who were in demand, with six selected.

Goalkeepers:

Roman Celentano (Indiana): No. 2 to FC Cincinnati

A two-time Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, Celentano compiled a stellar 82.1 percent save percentage over his three seasons at Indiana, including an insane 90.8 percent mark across 16 games in the COVID-19 disrupted 2020-21 season (six goals allowed, nine shutouts). His highlight was a bonkers quadruple save in November against Northwestern that was No. 1 on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays.

Need saving? Call Roman. ☎️ pic.twitter.com/EZLZ0sbdeX

— Indiana Men's Soccer (@IndianaMSOC) November 11, 2021

Patrick Schulte (Saint Louis): No. 12 to Columbus

A sophomore with U.S. youth national team experience at the Under-18 level, he performed well for both his school and club Saint Louis FC. Schulte once saved three penalties in one U.S. Open Cup penalty shootout in 2019 as the side reached the fourth round of the competition that year. He had nine shutouts and just 18 goals allowed in 21 matches for the Billikens this season.

Alec Smir (North Carolina): No. 62 to FC Dallas

Smir led the ACC with 10 shutouts in 2020, allowing just 11 goals in 18 games and playing every second of UNC's run to the College Cup. This past season saw a dip in those numbers, but he has significant high-level experience.

Will Meyer (Akron): No. 38 to Nashville SC

He joined Akron as a transfer from Louisville, and while his numbers don't jump off the page, he had high enough marks from the scouts, although he was always likely go behind the other three mentioned already.

Defenders:

Kipp Keller (Saint Louis): No. 5 to Austin FC

Keller, a 2021 second-team All American, was a potential top-three pick entering the draft after leaving as an underclassman and signing a special generation adidas contract which won't count against a team's salary budget.

He was outshined by teammate Simon Becher who made first-team All American as a forward, but Keller was a hot commodity as a young, domestic option at the back.

23' | SLU 1, MASON 0 | GOAL #BILLIKENS !

Kipp Keller connects on John Klein's corner to give the #Billikens the 1-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/bAoG8Onh8Y

— SLU Men's Soccer (@SLUMensSoccer) September 26, 2021

Esai Easley (Grand Canyon): No. 22 to Sporting KC

After choosing competitive soccer over competitive surfing, Easley worked his way onto the national scene at Grand Canyon where he proved to be a mobile option at center back en route to being named WAC Defensive Player of the Year and earning recognition as one of the best defenders in the nation.

Ryan Sailor (Washington): No. 9 to Inter Miami

The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All American, Sailor had plenty of buzz amid a packed center-back class. In his redshirt senior season, Sailor started all 22 matches and led a defense that allowed just 10 goals, good for third-fewest in the nation. He also added six goals, the best total in the country for a center back. His pro readiness is the only question.

Ahmed Longmire (UCLA): No. 10 to Nashville SC

While Longmire's season didn't garner the Pac-12 and national plaudits that Sailor's did, due to concussion problems, the Utah Valley transfer came into his own at UCLA and cemented himself as a prominent prospect.

Charlie Asensio (Clemson): No. 35 to Austin FC

A late addition to the draft after passing on his option to join Atlanta United via a homegrown contract, Asensio is a fullback who was critical to Clemson's national championship run and who will provide width to a side with both his defensive abilities and creative skills.

Midfielders:

Mohamed Omar (Notre Dame): No. 23 to Colorado Rapids

A Canadian youth international hailing from Toronto, Omar is a talented holding midfielder who played over 1700 minutes with Notre Dame last season and scored four goals while helping the Irish reach the final four. Mock drafts had him all over the first round, but it's clear he's seen as a talent.

Mo Omar's incredible strike is the difference at the half as we lead Wake Forest 1-0! Watch on ACCNX. #GoIrish ☘️ pic.twitter.com/8AR0gBg0nL

— Notre Dame Men's Soccer (@NDMenSoccer) November 28, 2021

Ben Bender (Maryland): No. 1 overall to Charlotte FC

The unanimous 2021 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year bagged nine goals and five assists through two seasons at Maryland, but it's his two-way play that has earned accolades, and he went No. 1 in the draft amid a thin midfield group.

Sofiane Djeffal (Oregon State): No. 36 to D.C. United

The Pac-12 Player of the Year led Oregon State to a No. 1 ranking in the nation for the first time in program history en route to a Pac-12 title. Djeffal was at the center of that rise, scoring five goals and adding five assists. Hailing from France, the Nantes youth product would occupy an international roster slot which may have hurt his draft position.

Justin Rasmussen (Grand Canyon): No. 27 to Portland Timbers

Named a top-50 player by Top Drawer Soccer, Rasmussen struck nine times for Grand Canyon this past season. While the squad was ultimately upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Rasmussen stood out. He's a left-sided player who could be moved onto the flank if needed.

Forwards:

Isaiah Parker (Saint Louis): No. 3 to FC Dallas

A raw, high-upside player, Parker leaves Saint Louis on an underclassman generation adidas contract after just one season in which he scored three goals and assisted seven, showcasing exceptional speed in the process.

Kyle Holcomb (Wake Forest): No. 29 to Charlotte

An experienced, do-it-all striker who is not only ruthless in front of net but contributes in all areas of the field, Holcomb was a leader on the field for a strong Wake Forest program. Holcomb scored 33 goals in his four years as a Deac and contributes defensively as much as he goes for goal. The term "clinical" is often used in describing him, and for good reason.

Rula ➡️ Hernandez ➡️ Holcomb and that's 𝖌𝖆𝖒𝖊!!!

Deacs win in overtime!!! #GoDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/Sh1hw5yh7q

— Wake Men's Soccer (@WakeMSoccer) October 19, 2020

Ousseni Bouda (Stanford): No. 8 to San Jose

A Pac-12 First Team member this past year, Bouda missed the COVID-19 shortened season due to injury but returned with aplomb. A native of Burkina Faso and a product of Ghana's Right to Dream Academy, Bouda has scored 10 goals and assisted 14 others in his 39 career matches at Stanford.

Thor Ulfarsson (Duke): No. 4 to Houston Dynamo

A constant and frustrating presence for ACC defenses, Ulfarsson scored a whopping 19 goals in 24 matches for Duke over two seasons, including 15 this past campaign. The Iceland native was a First Team All-American and is a true target man up front.

Farai Mutatu (Michigan State): No. 21 to LA Galaxy

Moving from Zimbabwe in 2006 to Michigan, Mutatu is a wide player who provides pace and good service and could be a versatile pickup. Mutatu has seen time in the lower tiers of American soccer and could be deployed in a number of positions, including as a No. 10 or at wingback.