The MLS SuperDraft 2026 was not expected to be an impressive one for the Vancouver Whitecaps, but a last-minute deal saw the Canadian club move up the draft to secure a promising prospect.
By virtue of making the MLS Cup final this season, the Whitecaps fell to the 29th pick overall, second last of all MLS clubs.
However, the club traded Jayden Nelson to Austin FC earlier today, receiving $1.25 million in GAM and Austin’s first round pick in today’s draft. The trade gave the Whitecaps two picks in the first round: Austin’s 17th overall pick as well as their 29th overall pick.
CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster said both he and Nelson agreed this trade was fuelled by the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup.
“It’s really the main reason,” Schuster said. “No one wanted to move Jayden out because we thought he’s not the right fit or had done something wrong or is not good enough. He told me he wouldn’t have planned to go because he was very appreciative of the time here, about we believed in him when he was at his lowest low. His words.”
The Whitecaps also had the 29th pick in the second and third rounds (59th overall and 89th overall respectively).
Round 1, 17th pick: Zach Ramsey, midfielder
Zack Ramsey, 20, spent the last two seasons with the University of Washington. Mainly a bench player in his first season (2g/2a in three starts and 17 appearances), it was enough to receive Big Ten All-Freshmen honours.
In his second season with the Huskies, Ramsey flourished, starting in 23 of his 24 appearances and tallying a 10g/10a record. The Huskies won their first national title in the program’s history, winning the 2025 College Cup final, with Ramsey getting the first goal in the match.
For his efforts throughout the season, he was awarded the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player and received First Team All-Big Ten honours.
Ramsey also spent the summer player for USL Two club Ballard FC. In three starts and 14 appearances, the midfielder had a 2g/5a season.
Round 1, 29th pick: Daniel Lugo, forward
Daniel Lugo, 20, spent last year with High Point University, getting 19 starts in 20 appearances. He had a stellar year, with a 14g/5a season (nearly a goal contribution per game).
He was awarded Big South Conference Player of the Year, Big South Newcomer of the Year, Big South Conference First Team, Big South Conference Tournament MVP honours and was a TDS Player of the Year finalist.
Before High Point, Lugo spent two seasons at the University of North Carolina, making 10 appearances for the Tar Heels.
Round 2, 59th pick: Yeider Zuluaga, forward
Yeider Zuluaga, 22, spent four years with Seattle University. Over those four seasons, he had 47 starts in 63 appearances and recorded 17 goals and 15 assists.
He was named 2023 Second-Team All-WAC and 2022 WAC All-Freshman Team honours while with the Redhawks.
Round 3, 89th pick: Connor Lofy, midfielder
Connor Lofy, 20, is from the University of Washington and played with Ramsey, the Whitecaps’ first pick. Over three seasons, Lofy had 26 starts in 45 appearances, recording four goals and two assists. He was part of the 2025 College Cup final winning team along with Ramsey.
In his final year with the Huskies, Lofy was awarded Big Ten All-Tournament Team and CSC Academic All-District honours.
