In one of the weirdest mechanisms in MLS, the Colorado Rapids’ hand was forced to use their sixth-overall pick on their own player in Thursday’s 2026 MLS SuperDraft. That was 19-year old Rapids 2 standout Mamadou Billo Diop, who on Thursday morning was mysteriously included on the list of player s eligible to be selected. He signed an R2 contract ahead of the 2025 season and balled out to the tune of 14 goals (fifth in MLS NEXT Pro) and two assists. But one unnamed MLS team found a loophole which the league used precedent to approve his eligibility: since he played high school soccer in Florida and did not compete in college or at any MLS academy, he could be entered into the draft if a team requested it and the league approved it. There have been a few such instances of high school players being good enough to skip college and enter the draft, but it’s very rare for an active MLS NEXT Pro player to be involved. So, in order to retain the star Senegalese prospect, the Rapids used their highest pick, No. 6 overall, to select Diop. A proven asset at the level where most draft picks end up, the club may have lost him if it waited any longer. The Rapids entered the draft with eight picks, made two draft day trades and walked away with six players and extra General Allocation Money (GAM). One trade was with Sporting Kansas City, where Colorado gave up the 19th overall pick for $50,000 in 2026 GAM and the 44th pick. The Rapids flipped that pick, along with their natural 40th overall pick, for $75,000 in 2027 GAM. Here are the five players the Rapids selected (not including Diop): No. 10 overall: Mitchell Baker, F, Georgetown The sophomore Australian forward scored 14 goals and provided three assists in 2025 for a very good Hoyas team that won the Big East, was seeded seventh in the NCAA Tournament and lost in the quarterfinal to eventual national runner-up NC State. He was named a 2025 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. No. 26 overall: Wahabu Musah, F, Clemson In just 13 starts this year, the Ghanaian sophomore forward scored six goals for the Tigers on the way to a second-team All-ACC nod and a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. No. 56 overall: Asher Hestad, D, Washington The redshirt freshman center back from Seattle contributed greatly to the Huskies in his debut season, who won the national title in overtime against NC State on Sunday. That’s the second-straight draft where the Rapids selected a national champion (Sydney Wathuta, Vermont, in last year’s draft). Related Articles Colorado Rapids to host Lionel Messi, Inter Miami at Empower Field in April Rapids finalizing trade for CF Montréal’s Dante Sealy, sources say Report: Colorado Rapids to name Tottenham Hotspur assistant Matt Wells as head coach Rapids 2 GM Brian Crookham wins MLS NEXT Pro Executive of the Year Rapids announce year-end roster decisions No. 70 overall: Koven Johnson, M, High Point Johnson started 17 of 20 games in his sophomore campaign and logged one goal, helping his team win the Big South before losing to Georgetown in the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. No. 86 overall: Jabari De Coteau, D, Xavier De Coteau, a sophomore from Brooklyn, New York, appeared in 17 matches this season and logged a goal against Wright State. Pios’ McGowan drafted by Revolution: University of Denver junior forward Kyle McGowan caught eyes as the only Pioneer to attend the draft combine last week. Thursday, he was selected 68th overall by the New England Revolution. McGowan caught fire with seven goals in the Pioneers’ final seven games of the 2025 campaign. He became the seventh player in DU history to surpass double digit goals in a single season (11 total). Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams. ...read more read less