2004 MLS SuperDraft
The 2004 MLS SuperDraft was the fifth annual player selection event for Major League Soccer, held on January 16, 2004, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the league's 10 teams selected amateur players, primarily college standouts and youth international prospects, across six rounds totaling 60 picks.[1][2] The draft highlighted the league's focus on developing young American talent through the Generation adidas program, which provided direct entry for select prospects without college eligibility requirements.[2] D.C. United secured the first overall pick, selecting 14-year-old forward Freddy Adu, a U.S. U-20 national team standout who had signed with MLS via the Project-40 initiative in November 2003, marking him as the youngest player ever drafted into the league at that time.[1][2] The Columbus Crew followed with the second pick, drafting Stanford defender Chad Marshall, while the [Los Angeles Galaxy](/page/Los Angeles Galaxy) chose Coastal Carolina forward Joseph Ngwenya third overall.[2][3] Other notable first-round selections included Clint Dempsey, taken eighth overall by the New England Revolution from Furman University, who would go on to become one of the most accomplished U.S. players in MLS and international history.[2] The draft also produced future stars in later rounds, such as Michael Bradley, selected 36th overall at age 16 by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars as a U.S. U-17 midfielder, underscoring the event's depth in unearthing high-potential American players.[2][4] Bradley later won an MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield with Toronto FC,[5] earned three MLS All-Star selections,[6] the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Ball,[7] and the 2015 U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year award.[8] Teams engaged in trades during the process, with the Galaxy acquiring additional picks like the 14th overall (Ned Grabavoy from Indiana University) to build depth for the 2004 season, which began on April 3.[3] Overall, the 2004 SuperDraft is remembered for launching the careers of several key figures in U.S. soccer's growth, contributing to the league's emphasis on homegrown talent amid its expansion era.[2]Background
Eligibility Criteria
The eligible players for the 2004 MLS SuperDraft consisted primarily of U.S. and Canadian college seniors who had exhausted their NCAA eligibility, along with underclassmen who had declared early by renouncing their remaining amateur status, and select young talents signed to the Nike Project-40 program, which exempted them from standard college eligibility requirements.[9][10] Under the league's rules for that year, participants generally needed to be at least 18 years old by the start of the 2004 MLS season on April 3, though Nike Project-40 signees received special dispensation to enter earlier, as exemplified by Freddy Adu's selection at age 14.[9][11] Underclassmen seeking to declare for the draft were required to forgo their NCAA eligibility in advance, typically through a formal process that aligned with league nomination procedures; those who went undrafted could return to college without permanent penalty under NCAA guidelines.[12][10] International players faced restrictions in the SuperDraft pool unless they qualified as amateurs or were processed through the league's allocation system.[9] The draft-eligible list emphasized standout performers from NCAA Division I programs, forming the core of the approximately 100-150 players available for selection.[9]Draft Order Determination
The selection order for the 2004 MLS SuperDraft was established based on the reverse order of the 2003 MLS regular season standings, prioritizing teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs.[13] Non-playoff teams selected first, ordered from worst to best regular season performance, followed by the eight playoff teams in reverse order of their regular season points.[14] The two non-playoff teams from 2003 were the Dallas Burn, who finished with the league-worst 23 points (6 wins, 5 draws, 19 losses), earning them the No. 1 overall pick, and the Columbus Crew, with 38 points (10 wins, 8 draws, 12 losses), receiving the No. 2 pick.[15] Among the playoff teams, the order began with the Los Angeles Galaxy (No. 3 pick, 36 points), D.C. United (No. 4, 39 points), and Colorado Rapids (No. 5, 40 points), all of whom exited in the conference semifinals.[14] This was followed by the New York MetroStars (No. 6, 42 points, conference semifinalist) and Kansas City Wizards (No. 7, 42 points, Western Conference finalist), with ties broken by head-to-head results, goal differential, and other MLS tiebreaker criteria.[15] Next was the New England Revolution (No. 8, 45 points, Eastern Conference finalist), San Jose Earthquakes (No. 9, 51 points, MLS Cup champions), and Chicago Fire (No. 10, 53 points, MLS Cup runner-up and Supporters' Shield winner).[14][15] Although the initial order was set by these standings and rules, teams could trade their draft picks prior to the event, potentially altering the sequence of selections.[14] Additionally, Generation Adidas players—designated college standouts receiving developmental contracts—were given priority in signing over non-designated draftees, influencing roster integration but not the draft order itself.[9]Pre-Draft Developments
Major Trade for the Top Pick
In November 2003, Major League Soccer signed 14-year-old Freddy Adu as a high-profile Generation Adidas player, with the league intending to place him with D.C. United, the team closest to his home in Maryland. The Dallas Burn held the first overall pick in the upcoming SuperDraft based on their poor 2003 performance, but MLS encouraged the club to trade it to facilitate Adu's assignment to D.C. United, emphasizing the young prospect's potential as a marketing asset for the league.[16][17] The trade was finalized on January 16, 2004, just before the SuperDraft began in Charlotte, North Carolina. Under the agreement, D.C. United acquired the No. 1 overall selection from the Dallas Burn, while Dallas received a substantial amount of allocation money—funds that could be used outside the salary cap to acquire players or rights—as compensation. The deal also included future considerations, allowing Dallas flexibility in subsequent roster moves, though specific players like midfielder Justin Mapp became indirectly involved later through allocation-related transactions.[16][18] The transaction drew criticism for appearing to favor D.C. United and prioritizing league marketing over draft equity, as Adu had expressed a preference to play near home and MLS orchestrated the swap to ensure he was the top selection. This move was seen by some as an example of league intervention to boost visibility, with Adu's debut positioned as a centerpiece for growing MLS's audience. Ultimately, the trade enabled Adu's immediate professional entry with D.C. United, bypassing the typical allocation process for Generation Adidas signees and allowing him to make his MLS debut shortly after turning 14.[17][19]Other Significant Pre-Draft Transactions
In the lead-up to the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, several teams executed trades to adjust their draft positions, acquiring higher selections or future assets in exchange for established players. One notable transaction occurred on August 19, 2003, when the San Jose Earthquakes acquired Colorado Rapids' first-round pick (fifth overall) in the 2004 SuperDraft, along with third- and fourth-round picks in the 2005 SuperDraft, in exchange for goalkeeper Joe Cannon.[20] This deal bolstered San Jose's options for immediate talent infusion, as the Earthquakes held the league's best record at the time and aimed to defend their recent successes. Similarly, on January 28, 2003, the Chicago Fire traded forward Hristo Stoitchkov to D.C. United, receiving in return the United's second-round pick in the 2004 SuperDraft.[21] Stoitchkov, a veteran with 17 goals in 51 appearances for Chicago since 2000, transitioned to a player-coach role in D.C., allowing the Fire to manage their salary cap while gaining mid-round flexibility. Additional mid-round adjustments reshaped lower selections across the league. On March 27, 2003, the Chicago Fire acquired midfielder Andy Williams from the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2004 SuperDraft.[22] Williams, a Jamaican international, provided immediate midfield depth to Chicago, while the MetroStars positioned themselves for potential value in the upcoming draft. In another deal on July 31, 2003, the Los Angeles Galaxy obtained the Columbus Crew's 22nd overall pick (second round) for forward Alex Pineda Chacón, enhancing LA's chances to target specific prospects without disrupting their core roster.[23] These transactions, totaling around five to seven significant exchanges, affected approximately 10-15 picks and reflected teams' strategies to balance short-term needs with long-term roster building. Beyond draft picks, allocation rankings for non-draft-eligible players—such as returning U.S. nationals, Generation adidas signees, or international talents—played a key role in pre-draft planning, though they did not alter SuperDraft order directly. Determined via a weighted lottery favoring teams with poorer prior performances, these rankings allowed clubs to sign high-profile players outside the draft process, influencing overall talent acquisition strategies.[9] For instance, teams like the Kansas City Wizards leveraged allocation spots to pursue experienced defenders, complementing their draft preparations and concentrating resources on versatile acquisitions. Such moves underscored the interconnected nature of MLS roster mechanics, where allocations often served as trade currency to fine-tune team compositions ahead of the season.Draft Event
Location, Date, and Format
The 2004 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 16, 2004, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.[24][25] The event commenced at 10:00 a.m. ET and marked the league's fifth annual SuperDraft, serving as the primary mechanism for teams to select eligible college and amateur players.[14][24] The draft consisted of six rounds with 10 selections per round, totaling 60 picks across the league's 10 teams.[26] It was conducted live, with the MLS commissioner announcing each selection on stage as teams made their choices from a pool of eligible players. The selection order was determined by the previous season's standings, with non-playoff teams picking first and subsequent rounds reversing the order.[14][2] The format also incorporated announcements related to the Generation Adidas program, which allowed select young prospects to sign professional contracts exempt from the salary cap and international roster slots prior to or during the draft process.[3] This structure facilitated a unified proceeding that blended player selections with key developmental signings, setting the stage for the league's roster building ahead of the 2004 season.[24]Broadcast and Key Moments
The 2004 MLS SuperDraft was broadcast live on Fox Sports World, providing one of the earliest instances of national television coverage for the event and helping to elevate its visibility within the growing league. The telecast aired beginning at 10 a.m. ET from Charlotte, North Carolina, capturing the proceedings as teams made their selections in a format that included on-stage announcements and immediate reactions from prospects.[14][24] A pivotal moment came early in the first round when D.C. United announced 14-year-old Freddy Adu as the No. 1 overall pick, sparking immediate excitement and widespread media buzz around the league's investment in young American talent. Adu, who had been the subject of intense pre-draft hype due to his prodigious skills and youth, expressed a mix of awe and determination during his on-stage interview, underscoring the historic nature of his selection as the youngest player ever eligible for the draft.[27][1] The broadcast highlighted the league's push to promote emerging stars, with Adu's pick serving as a focal point that drew national attention to MLS's potential for developing homegrown players. Coverage across outlets emphasized Adu's age as a groundbreaking milestone, framing the draft as a launchpad for a new era of youth-focused growth in American soccer and amplifying the event's dramatic on-stage reactions from other draftees as selections unfolded.[27][28][24]Player Selections
First Round Selections and Trades
The first round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, held on January 16 in Charlotte, North Carolina, featured a mix of highly touted Generation Adidas prospects and college standouts, with several teams prioritizing defensive reinforcements and forward talent amid ongoing roster needs. D.C. United opened the draft by selecting 14-year-old prodigy Freddy Adu, a forward from the U.S. U-20 national team, as the No. 1 overall pick, marking a significant investment in youth development under the Generation Adidas program, which allowed teams to sign top amateur players without impacting salary caps.[2] Subsequent selections highlighted a focus on defensive stability, as the Columbus Crew chose center back Chad Marshall from Stanford University at No. 2, addressing their backline vulnerabilities following a middling 2003 season. The LA Galaxy followed at No. 3 with forward Joseph Ngwenya from Coastal Carolina University, aiming to bolster their attacking options. Trades played a pivotal role early, reshaping the order and enabling targeted acquisitions.[2]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D.C. United | Freddy Adu* | F | U.S. U-20 National Team |
| 2 | Columbus Crew | Chad Marshall* | D | Stanford University |
| 3 | LA Galaxy | Joseph Ngwenya* | F | Coastal Carolina University |
| 4 | Kansas City Wizards (from Dallas Burn) | Matt Taylor* | F | UCLA |
| 5 | San Jose Earthquakes | Ryan Cochrane | D | Santa Clara University |
| 6 | Dallas Burn | Ramón Núñez | M | Southern Methodist University |
| 7 | Dallas Burn (from Kansas City Wizards) | Clarence Goodson | D | University of Maryland |
| 8 | New England Revolution | Clint Dempsey* | M | Furman University |
| 9 | Chicago Fire (from New England Revolution) | Scott Buete | M | University of Maryland |
| 10 | San Jose Earthquakes | Steve Cronin | GK | Santa Clara University |
Second Round Selections and Trades
The second round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, encompassing picks 11 through 20, shifted focus from the high-profile first-round selections to prospects offering depth in defense and midfield, as teams sought to bolster rosters with collegiate standouts capable of immediate contributions or long-term development.[2] With 10 teams participating, the round featured several strategic trades that reshaped pick ownership, particularly involving the Chicago Fire relinquishing selections to acquire assets for future needs. Overall, the selections emphasized versatile defenders and midfielders from prominent NCAA programs, reflecting teams' priorities in building balanced squads after addressing marquee talents earlier.[2] The following table summarizes the second-round selections, including positions, colleges, and any associated trades:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College | Notes/Trade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Chicago Fire | Leonard Griffin | D | UCLA | Natural pick |
| 12 | Columbus Crew | Chris Wingert | D | St. John's | Natural pick |
| 13 | Los Angeles Galaxy | Josh Gardner | M | Cincinnati | Natural pick |
| 14 | Los Angeles Galaxy | Ned Grabavoy | M | Indiana | Acquired from Chicago Fire |
| 15 | Colorado Rapids | Adolfo Gregorio | M | UCLA | Natural pick |
| 16 | Colorado Rapids | Adrian Cann | D | Louisville | Natural pick |
| 17 | Kansas City Wizards | Will Hesmer | GK | Wake Forest | Natural pick |
| 18 | New York/New Jersey MetroStars | Seth Stammler | D | Maryland | Acquired from Chicago Fire |
| 19 | Chicago Fire | Matt Pickens | GK | SW Missouri State | Natural pick |
| 20 | Chicago Fire | Sumedh Ibrahim | M | Maryland | Natural pick |
Third Round Selections and Trades
The third round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft featured 10 selections, primarily targeting developmental players to bolster team depth rather than immediate starters, with four trades reshaping the pick order.[2] These moves reflected teams' strategies to acquire future assets or address specific positional needs, such as goalkeeper competition, amid a draft emphasizing long-term roster building after higher-profile selections in earlier rounds.[33] Key trades included the New England Revolution acquiring the 23rd overall pick from FC Dallas, the Columbus Crew sending their 26th pick to the MetroStars, the Los Angeles Galaxy trading the 25th selection to the Colorado Rapids, and D.C. United obtaining the 24th pick from the Kansas City Wizards in exchange for D.C. United's 2005 second- and third-round picks.[2][33] These transactions were limited in scope, focusing on draft futures and minor roster tweaks rather than blockbuster deals.[3] The selections are detailed below:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | MetroStars | Zach Wells | GK | UCLA |
| 22 | Los Angeles Galaxy | Guillermo Arzate | M | UC Santa Barbara |
| 23 | New England Revolution (from Dallas Burn) | Jeremiah White | F | Wake Forest |
| 24 | D.C. United (from Kansas City Wizards) | Kevin Ara | M | Harvard |
| 25 | Colorado Rapids (from Los Angeles Galaxy) | Kevin Taylor | D | Michigan |
| 26 | MetroStars (from Columbus Crew) | Olivier Occean | F | Southern Connecticut State |
| 27 | San Jose Earthquakes | Mike Wilson | M | Stanford |
| 28 | Chicago Fire | Khari Stephenson | M | Williams College |
| 29 | Dallas Burn | Ty Maurin | M | UCLA |
| 30 | San Jose Earthquakes | Lindon Pecorelli | M | University of Connecticut |
Fourth Round Selections and Trades
The fourth round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, encompassing picks 31 through 40, emphasized depth selections with a focus on collegiate talent and emerging prospects, as teams sought long-term roster contributors amid limited trades.[2] Unlike earlier rounds, activity here was characterized by value hunting rather than high-profile acquisitions, with most picks targeting midfielders and defenders to bolster squad sustainability.[2] Trades in this round were sparse, with no major swaps reported that altered the core selection order significantly; however, the Chicago Fire benefited from consecutive picks (38 and 39), likely due to prior asset acquisitions, allowing them to double up on defensive reinforcements.[2] The selections reflected a strategic pivot toward versatile players from NCAA programs and youth national teams, prioritizing potential over immediate impact.| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Dallas Burn | David Wagenfuhr | D | Creighton |
| 32 | Columbus Crew | Jamal Sutton | F | Southwest Missouri State |
| 33 | [Los Angeles Galaxy](/page/Los Angeles Galaxy) | David McGill | M | UC Santa Barbara |
| 34 | D.C. United | Joshua Gros | M | Rutgers |
| 35 | Colorado Rapids | Kevin Richards | D | Notre Dame |
| 36 | MetroStars | Michael Bradley | M | U.S. U-17 National Team |
| 37 | Kansas City Wizards | Jay Alberts | M | Yale |
| 38 | Chicago Fire | Denny Clanton | D | Dayton |
| 39 | Chicago Fire | Phil Hucles | D | William & Mary |
| 40 | San Jose Earthquakes | Marin Pusek | M | UAB |
Fifth Round Selections and Trades
The fifth round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, consisting of picks 41 through 50, focused on adding speculative depth to team rosters, with selections often targeting versatile college athletes for potential training camp invitations rather than immediate contributors. The following table summarizes the fifth-round selections:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College | Notes/Trade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Columbus Crew | Adom Crew | M | Brown University | Natural pick |
| 42 | Columbus Crew | Luke Vercollone | M | Seton Hall University | Natural pick |
| 43 | Los Angeles Galaxy | Jason Perry | D | Oakland University | Natural pick |
| 44 | D.C. United | Kevin Hudson | M | Southern Methodist University | Natural pick |
| 45 | Colorado Rapids | Gary Sullivan | D | Adelphi University | Natural pick |
| 46 | New York/New Jersey MetroStars | Johny David | M | Fairleigh Dickinson University | Natural pick |
| 47 | Kansas City Wizards | Justin Detter | F | University of Notre Dame | Natural pick |
| 48 | Kansas City Wizards | Ryan Barber | D | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Acquired from Los Angeles Galaxy |
| 49 | Chicago Fire | Ian Pilarski | M | Cornell University | Natural pick |
| 50 | San Jose Earthquakes | Tighe Dombrowski | M | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Natural pick |
Sixth Round Selections and Trades
The sixth round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft consisted of 10 selections, primarily aimed at acquiring developmental project players to bolster team depth rather than immediate starters.[2] These picks focused on college standouts with potential for growth in professional environments, reflecting the draft's later stages where teams sought low-risk additions for training camps and reserve squads.[2] The following table summarizes the sixth round selections:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Previous Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Chicago Fire (from Dallas Burn) | Ryan McGowan | M | Seton Hall University |
| 52 | Columbus Crew | Matt Haefner | GK | University of Pennsylvania |
| 53 | Los Angeles Galaxy | Alan Gordon | F | Oregon State University |
| 54 | Dallas Burn (from D.C. United) | Edwin Miranda | D | Cal State Northridge |
| 55 | Colorado Rapids | John Pulido | M | Florida International University |
| 56 | New England Revolution (from MetroStars) | Felix Brillant | F | Franklin Pierce University |
| 57 | Los Angeles Galaxy (from Kansas City Wizards) | Chris Aloisi | D | Syracuse University |
| 58 | New England Revolution | Andy Dorman | M | Boston University |
| 59 | Chicago Fire | Tony McManus | D | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| 60 | MetroStars (from San Jose Earthquakes) | Jeff Parke | D | Drexel University |