2020 MLS SuperDraft

LAFC PICKS IN 2020 MLS SUPERDRAFT

ROUND 1, PICK 24 | PAULO PITA

With the 24th pick of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, LAFC selected Marshall goalkeeper Paulo Pita. A native of Brazil, Pita's journey to LA has been unique. The goalkeeper arrived in the U.S. having initially played in Brazil. A national champion at University of Charleston, Pita transferred to Marshall for his junior season. At Marshall, Pita continued to impress. The goalkeeper was a Player of the Week selection in October of 2018 and was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team.

ROUND 2, PICK 24 | JACK HALLAHAN

Jack Hallahan comes to LAFC via the 50th overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. The University of Michigan midfielder arrives in LA by way of Redditch, England. A four-year starter for the Wolverines, Hallahan earned All-Big Ten First Team honors in three seasons (2017-2019). A 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, the midfielder was one of 40 players invited to the 2019 adidas College Showcase.

ROUND 3, PICK 24 | JORGE GONZALEZ

Gonzalez, the 2019 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, led the conference in goals (9) and points (22). He was named to the First Team All-North Region after finishing 49th in the NCAA in goals per game and 64th with 22 total points for SIU Edwardsville. An All-MAC First Team selection in 2018, Gonzalez started all 18 games he appeared in. He finished the year third in goals (8), fourth in shots on goal (27), and fifth in shots (46). In three years with SIUE, Gonzalez tallied 18 goals and five assists in 50 games. He was voted the PSAC Freshman of the Year after notching 14 goals and 4 assists in 18 games for Mercyhurst.

ROUND 4, PICK 24 | YOUNES BOUDADI

Boudadi, a native of Ypres, Belgium, was chosen with the Club’s fourth and final selection of this year’s SuperDraft. In 2019, Boudadi played 1,475 out of a possible 1,510 minutes and tallied four assists in his final season for Creighton University. Prior to Creighton, Boudadi started all 35 matches he appeared in for Boston College. In 2017, he led the Eagles and ranked 13th nationally in assists per game (0.50) and 25th in the country in assists (8). Internationally, Boudadi represented Morocco at the U17 African Cup (2013) and U17 World Championships (2014).

2020 MLS SUPERDRAFT SELECTION FORMAT AND GROUND RULES

Selection Order: The MLS SuperDraft selection order is determined as follows: The first two selections, held by expansion teams Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, were determined by the Expansion Priority Draft held on Oct. 6, 2019. The following 10 selections are from teams that did not qualify for the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs beginning with the team with fewest 2019 regular season points (3 points per win, 1 point per tie). The remaining 14 positions are ranked by fewest regular season points among the teams that were eliminated in the same round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Procedural rules for the 2020 MLS SuperDraft:

Draft Rounds: The 2020 MLS SuperDraft will include four rounds and 104 selections. Rounds 1 and 2 shall be conducted on Jan. 9, 2020, and Rounds 3 and 4 shall take place on Jan. 13, 2020.

Selection Clock: Teams are permitted three (3) minutes to make a selection.

Intermissions: There will be no intermissions between rounds.

Timeouts: Each team is permitted one (1) timeout. Timeouts are three (3) minutes in duration. Selections must be made immediately following the timeout (no additional time given). More than two (2) timeouts cannot be used consecutively.

Failure to Make Selection in Designated Time: Clubs that fail to make their selection in time must wait until the next selection is made, regardless if their choice is presented prior to the next club's decision. The team that was delinquent with its selection must immediately have its choice in hand following the selection of the club that followed. If not, the original club must again wait for the next selection to be made.

Trades: Prior to being announced, trades need to be verified and approved by the Commissioner and/or his designee. Trade announcements will not reveal the identity of players until those players have been contacted by their respective clubs. For example, Team A trades a "player to be named later" for Team B's first selection.

Team Passing: In the event a team passes, it shall be precluded from making any further picks for the remainder of the Draft.

WHEN AND HOW TO WATCH

Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft will be conducted during a jointly produced MLS and ESPN show that begins at 12:30 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 9. The show will stream live on ESPN's Twitter, Facebook and YouTube page, with an itinerary that includes a live stream and real-time highlights from the event all in one comprehensive experience. That includes cameras embedded with players and club decision-makers, live look-ins on club draft rooms and instant engagement with fans on Twitter during the first round. Rounds 3 and 4 will be conducted via conference call on Jan. 13.

PLAYERS AVAILABLE

The majority of draft prospects are NCAA college seniors who have exhausted their college eligibility. Generation adidas players and non-collegiate international players are also eligible for selection in the SuperDraft. Clubs may nominate players for the League's Draft-Eligible List, and only players from that list may be selected.

Many of the players that will be selected have participated in the MLS College Showcase, a new event that was held for the first time last Dec. 13-15.

LAFC AT PAST MLS SUPERDRAFTS

Watch: All Access At The 2018 MLS SuperDraft

Watch: LAFC At The 2019 MLS SuperDraft

Read: Harvey, Zimmerman Share Their Draft Day Experiences