MLS announces 2020 Generation adidas class and pre-signed seniors

NEW YORK – Major League Soccer announced the crop of four standout underclassmen that comprise the 2020 Generation adidas class and the two pre-signed seniors eligible for selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas on Jan. 9.

The pair of pre-signed seniors features two national champions, including the reigning NCAA Division I title holder Dylan Nealis of Georgetown University. Nealis, a 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist, collected four goals and five assists from his defender position this season with starts all 24 games, including the national title match. Stanford University defender Tanner Beason , also a pre-signed senior, is a three-time national champion (2015, 2016, 2017) and a 2019 First Team All-American with a career 20 goals and 11 assists in 81 games.

Featured among the top underclassmen preparing for the professional ranks are four Generation adidas signees, including Clemson University junior forward Robbie Robinson, also a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist, who in 19 games scored 18 goals with nine assists to finish the regular season tied as the top-ranked NCAA Division I goalscorer. Robinson notched multiple hat tricks over the season and became the 2019 ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

Also joining the Generation adidas class is Indiana University sophomore defender Jack Maher, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, who converted three game-winning goals in 2019 after last season anchoring the Indiana backline to an NCAA Division I-leading 15 shutouts as a freshman.

University of Virginia junior Henry Kessler is a 6-4 stalwart center back, who steadied the Cavaliers backline with 90 minutes played in all 24 games for a 21-2-1 record that featured a nation-leading 15 shutouts. Rounding out the Generation adidas signings is Syracuse University sophomore midfielder Ryan Raposo, who recorded 15 goals and seven assists in his 20 starts.

Generation adidas is a joint program between MLS and adidas which sees a handful of top collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players signed by MLS to Generation adidas contracts and made available in the SuperDraft. More information on Generation adidas is available here.

Expansion clubs Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC will have the first opportunities to select from this crop of talented young players in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas. Miami holds the first and third overall picks, and Nashville SC will have the second overall pick.

The complete list of players available for selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas will be available within 48 hours prior to the event.