Barring a trade Toronto FC will pick ninth in the MLS SuperDraft on January 14th in Baltimore, MD.
The Reds picked three times in the first round last year, selecting GK Alex Bono (6th), CB Clement Simonin (9th) and CB Skylar Thomas (11th).
This year Tim Bezbatchenko and his staff will only pick once in the first round. The following is a list of players that have been selected with the ninth pick in previous years.
2015 - Toronto FC selects defender Clement Simonin from North Carolina State
Simonin was the only Reds player picked in the first round in 2015 to feature for the big club after a number of injures gutted TFC’s defence. He made his debut against Real Salt Lake in late March and then signed a contract with Toronto FC II, the club’s USL outfit. Simonin returned for the big club against Seattle in September but missed the remainder of the season after a knee injury ruled the Frenchman out.
2014 - San Jose selects midfielder JJ Koval from Stanford
Koval was a product of the vaunted Stanford soccer program, making the transition to the professional ranks with relative ease. He became the 10th player in club history to make more than 20 appearances in his rookie season. The 23-year-old started seven games for the Quakes in 2015 and made 17 appearances in total.
2013 - Columbus selects forward Ryan Finley from Notre Dame
Finlay was traded by the Crew following his rookie season for a second round pick to Chivas USA and now plays his football for the Charlotte Independence of the USL.
2012 - Chicago selects defender Austin Berry from Louisville
Berry played for the Fire and the Philadelphia Union before being loaned to South Korean side FC Anyang. Berry won the rookie of the year award in 2012, making 28 starts and scoring three goals. The 27-year-old now plays for FC Cincinnati of the USL.
2011 - Chicago selects defender Jalil Anibaba from North Carolina
The Davis, CA native has enjoyed a steady MLS career since entering the league in 2011. Anibaba has played for the three clubs, most recently joining Sporting Kansas City for the 2015 campaign. Anibaba is currently out of contract.
2010 - New England selects forward Zack Schilawski from Wake Forest
Schilawski was waived following his rookie season with the Revolution. The 28-year-old retired from football at the end of 2014 and is pursuing a law degree in North Carolina.
Other notable players to be selected with the ninth pick in the MLS SuperDraft in the past 10 years include Michael Lahoud (2009), Kei Kamara (2006) and Michael Parkhurst (2005). The Reds selected Julius James with the ninth pick in the 2008 draft.
