FRISCO, Texas (AP) — FC Dallas made an aggressive push for young talent in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, selecting six collegiate players and using multiple trades to secure three first-round picks.
Dallas grabbed Generation adidas forward Ricardo “Ricky” Louis with the No. 2 overall pick, followed by Virginia scorer Nicholas Simmonds at No. 3. The club added Vermont goalkeeper Niklas Herceg at No. 16, widely viewed as the top keeper in college soccer, before filling out the class with Edouard Nys, Umberto Pelà and defender Olayinka Ogunleye.
Louis comes off a standout season at Georgia Southern, where he led the team in goals and ranked among the nation’s top players in game-winning scores. Simmonds brings size and finishing ability after an All-America freshman season at Virginia, while Herceg anchored Vermont’s national championship run and posted 16 shutouts in two seasons.
In the second round, Dallas selected MVC Player of the Year Edouard Nys and Virginia captain Umberto Pelà, adding creativity and experience in midfield. Ogunleye, a two-year starter at Louisville, rounded out the draft class.
FC Dallas was one of the most active teams on draft day, using allocation money to move up the board and assemble a deep group aimed at strengthening the roster heading into the 2026 season.
