After scoring the joint-fewest goals in 2023, Toronto FC made the forward line their priority to open the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.
Toronto selected Lipscomb forward Tyrese Spicer with the No. 1 overall pick. Toronto Maple Leafs star John Tavares officially announced the selection:
Major League Soccer @MLSTyrese Spicer goes No. 1 overall to <a href="">@TorontoFC</a>. 🇨🇦<a href="">@91Tavares</a> of the <a href="">@MapleLeafs</a> welcomes the newest <a href="">#TFCLive</a> forward from Trinidad and Tobago to Toronto. <br><br>SuperDraft pres. by Adidas <a href="">
Here are first-round results from the SuperDraft as they happen:
2024 MLS SuperDraft Round 1 Results
- Toronto FC: Tyrese Spicer, FW, Lipscomb
- Colorado Rapids: Wayne Frederick, MF/DF, Duke
- FC Dallas (via Miami): Logan Farrington, FW, Oregon State
- Colorado Rapids (via Los Angeles): Kimani Stewart-Baynes, FW, Maryland
- Austin FC: Nate Jones, DF, Washington
- Chicago Fire FC: Bryan Dowd, GK, Notre Dame
- D.C. United: Jacob Murrell, FW, Georgetown
- New York City FC: Malachi Jones, FW, Lipscomb
- Minnesota United: Hugo Bachrach, DF, Indiana
- CF Montréal: Grayson Doody, DF, UCLA
- Nashville SC (via Portland): Wyatt Meyer, DF, California
- New York Red Bulls (via Charlotte and Colorado): Aidan O'Connor, DF, Virginia
- San Jose Earthquakes: Jamar Ricketts, DF, Cal State Northridge
- Charlotte FC (via New York and Colorado): Tyger Smalls, FW, Loyola Marymount
- Inter Miami CF (via Dallas): Yannick Bright, MF, New Hampshire
- Real Salt Lake (via Vancouver): Matthew Bell, FW, Marshall
- St. Louis City FC (via Nashville): Hosei Kijima, MF, Wake Forest
- Real Salt Lake: Jose (Kevin) Bonilla, DF, Portland
- Atlanta United: Jayden Hibbert, GK, UConn
- Minnesota United (via New England): Marcus Caldeira, FW, West Virginia
- Orlando City (via Colorado): Jeorgio Kocevski, MF, Syracuse
- Sporting Kansas City: Ryan Schewe, GK, Georgetown
- Seattle Sounders FC: Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, DF, Washington
- Inter Miami CF (via Philadelphia): Ryan Carmichael, FW, Hofstra
- Orlando City: Yutaro Tsukada, MF, West Virginia
- Houston Dynamo FC: Stephen Annor Gyamfi, FW, Virginia
- FC Cincinnati: Brian Schaefer, DF, South Florida
- Los Angeles Football Club: Jackson Lee, GK, West Virginia
- Columbus Crew: Jayden Da, FW, Duquesne
Spicer scored 14 goals and had three assists in 16 games for the Bisons. The goal tally nearly matches what he did across the entirety of his first three years at the school (15). His 2023 breakout was richly rewarded.
Spicer's potent finishing is sorely needed in Toronto, though some considered him a slight reach that high. Travis Clark of MLSSoccer.com projected him to go ninth overall.
Charles Boehm @cboehmJust overall superb Trini vibes in the home of No. 1 MLS draft pick Tyrese Spicer 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹 <a href="">
Austin Kelly @AustinReportingSome public mocks had him not even going round 1. Don't see why Toronto FC didn't trade down if Kimani Stewart-Baynes wasn't the pick. Tyrese Spicer has promise as a dual-threat scorer/passer but a surprise he went #1. <a href="">
Toronto Til I Die Show 🎙️ @TorontoTilIDie"If <a href="">#TFCLive</a> are looking for a guy to come in a make an impact right away, that could be a guy to watch."<a href="">@MichaelSingh94</a> was all over the Tyrese Spicer pick on last night's show 🎯<br><br>FULL POD » <a href=""> <a href="">
Alex Calabrese @amcalabrese12SHOCKER!<br><br>Toronto FC opts for Lipscomb's Tyrese Spicer ahead of local Ontario prospect Konami Stewart-Baynes.<br><br>Could this prove a genius move, or a mistake they will regret???
It didn't take long for fans to see the first major draft-day trade. Inter Miami and FC Dallas swapped their first-round picks, with Dallas moving up from No. 15 to No. 3. Miami also received $250,000 in 2024 general allocation money and $50,000 in GAM funds for 2025.
With Luis Suarez reportedly on his way to South Florida, Inter Miami will need as much salary cap flexibility to properly fill out its star-studded roster.
Dallas, meanwhile, used the third overall pick to select Oregon State forward Logan Farrington, who had 15 goals and seven assists after transferring to the Beavers for the 2023 season.
Sam Hale @thesamuelhaleIf I was guessing, I'd say Dallas wants either Nate Jones the CB from Washington or Logan Farrington the striker from Oregon State. Both big time talents, both in positions of need.
FC Dallas @FCDallas"This is a guy that can get out in space and take players on. A really exciting prospect."<br><br>The moment we got our guy. <a href="">
With two of the top four picks, the Colorado Rapids had the opportunity to make some meaningful additions to the roster through the SuperDraft. They got Duke midfielder/defender Wayne Frederick with the No. 2 pick and targeted Maryland forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes two selections later.
Frederick is coming off only his sophomore season at Duke, so he could be a high-risk, high-reward choice. Stewart-Baynes is another underclassman, but he was crowned the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after totaling three goals and seven assists.
Devin Rodríguez @7ElevenDevinWayne Frederick (Duke) is a great pick for the Colorado Rapids. He may have been lower on some draft boards but he is a dynamic player that possesses great talent. Colorado has another top 5 pick in this draft as well. <a href="">
Jeff Brantley @ManInTheCagePodI really like this pick. Midfield will be crucial for how Armas plays. Wayne Frederick has some versatility to his game too. <a href="">#Rapids96</a> <a href="">
DNVR Rapids @DNVR_RapidsKimani Stewart-Baynes, the forward from Maryland and 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, is your newest Colorado Rapid.<br> <a href="">
Jack Susanin @SusaninSportsWhile being picked number 1 was heavily rumored, Colorado might just be a better situation on the field for Stewart-Baynes. Toronto still has the Insigne/Bernadeschi problem on the wing and who knows if they'll leave. KSB will now play under new Rapids coach Chris Armas
The Rapids have fallen hard since finishing second in the Supporters Shield standings in 2021. Coach Chris Armas and team president Pádraig Smith will hope Frederick and Stewart-Baynes emerge at the very least as impactful contributors on the next Colorado squad that's a playoff contender.
