Meet the class: Loons pick four prospects in 2026 MLS SuperDraft
The 2026 MLS SuperDraft has officially come to a close, and Minnesota United has walked away with a haul of four young prospects aimed at bolstering the club’s long-term depth.
After a record-breaking 2025 campaign, the front office entered this draft with a clear mandate: find high-character players with the technical floor to succeed in Eric Ramsay’s system and the physical upside to become the next generation of first-team contributors.
From dynamic attackers to a potential future between the sticks, the loons utilized their picks across all three rounds to address specific positional needs while sticking to a “best talent available” philosophy. Here is a closer look at the four newest members of the organization.
Pick #23: Jaylinn Mitchell
With the 23rd pick, the Loons stayed true to their recent scouting philosophy: technical ceiling over raw physical profile. Jaylin Mitchell arrives from SMU as a polished, “soccer-IQ first” forward who thrived in the high-pressure environment of the ACC. Though not the biggest player on the pitch at 5’8″, Mitchell’s ability to keep the ball in transition and his knack for scoring in big moments—evidenced by his match-winners against top-ranked collegiate sides—suggests he could follow the developmental path of players like Tani Oluwaseyi. Expect Mitchell to begin his professional journey with MNUFC2, where his creative link-up play should immediately bolster the Twos’ attack.
Pick #53: Bardia Hormozi
With the 53rd pick, Minnesota United added a high-upside project in Bardia Hormozi. The Princeton product is a classic “late bloomer” in terms of collegiate production but possesses the raw physical tools—specifically his blazing speed—that translated well to the professional level. A first-generation athlete with deep roots in the Maryland soccer scene, Hormozi is the type of versatile attacker who can provide cover at multiple positions. His selection underscores a clear draft strategy for the Loons: targeting high-character, technically sound players from top-tier academic and athletic programs.
Pick #67: Aiden Bengard
With the 67th pick, Minnesota United added another versatile piece to the puzzle in Aiden Bengard. A product of Cal State Fullerton with deep professional roots—his father, Alex, won an MLS Cup with the LA Galaxy—he brings a blend of physical presence and technical versatility to the squad. Standing at 6’1″, he spent the 2025 season establishing himself as a reliable starter in the Titans’ backline, contributing both offensively and defensively with a goal and two assists. His experience as a redshirt freshman in a competitive collegiate environment suggests he has the maturity to adapt quickly to the professional level, likely beginning his journey as a key defensive rotation player for MNUFC2.
Pick #83: Michal Mroz
With their final pick of the day, the Loons addressed their future between the sticks by selecting the 2025 MVC Goalkeeper of the Year, Michal Mroz. Standing at 6’2″, the Evansville sophomore has already proven he can carry a team through a title run, having backstopped the Purple Aces to a conference championship as a true freshman. Mroz is a traditional shot-stopper with exceptional hands and a knack for the spectacular save. Given the recent departure of Dayne St. Clair, bringing in a young, decorated keeper like Mroz to compete and develop within the MNUFC2 system is a low-risk, high-reward move that adds much-needed stability to the club’s goalkeeping pipeline.
Final thoughts
Overall, this draft class feels like a calculated investment in the club’s developmental pipeline. While the immediate jump from college soccer to the first team is a steep one, the success of recent draftees has proven that there is immense value to be found for teams that prioritize scouting and patience.
By selecting a mix of technical versatility and proven collegiate winners, Khaled El-Ahmad and his staff have ensured that the competition within the MNUFC2 ranks will be fiercer than ever this spring. Whether it is Jaylin Mitchell’s creative spark or Michal Mroz’s presence in goal, each of these four players represents a unique piece of the puzzle as Minnesota United prepares for the challenges of the 2026 season.
