Dynamo add two players in 2024 MLS SuperDraft
(image via virginiasports.com)
The Houston Dynamo went into Tuesday’s 2024 MLS SuperDraft with just two selections but they came out of it with two of the better prospects in the pool. Having made the Western Conference Final, the Dynamo would pick at the end of each round, the 26th pick in the first and second round. Houston traded their third round pick earlier this year to Real Salt Lake for the rights to Tate Schmitt.
When the Dynamo did make their two selections, they made the count. With their first round pick, the 26th selection overall, Houston took University of Virginia forward Stephen Annor Gyamfi. Annor Gyamfi signed a Generation adidas contract with MLS yesterday before the draft. The freshman was named ACC Freshman of the Year and earned All-ACC first-team honors after scoring a team-high ten goals. The Ghana native was the first Virginia player to each double-digit goals since former number one overall pick Daryl Dike also scored ten in 2019.
In the second round, with the 55th overall pick, the Dynamo picked Clemson University midfielder Ousmane Sylla. The Senegal native scored 24 goals and tallied 24 assists in 71 matches and 58 starts in his four seasons at Clemson. In his senior season he collected career highs in goals, with 13, and assists, with 20. He scored what turned out to be the match-winning goal in Clemson’s 2-1 win over Notre Dame in this year’s National Championship game.
MLS Insider Tom Bogert reported that European clubs were looking at Sylla before the draft. A potential top ten pick, Sylla likely fell to the Dynamo in the second round due to the uncertainty of whether he will sign with MLS. We’ll have to see if Houston can get a deal worked out with him.
All in all, the SuperDraft was a major success for the Dynamo. Travis Clark, who is one of the leading voices on college soccer, gave Houston an A grade for their draft on MLSsoccer.com. “When one of the highest-rated prospects in the SuperDraft (Annor) is available late in the first round, it's hard to pass,” Clark wrote. “That would give Houston an easy A. Then there are bonus points for selecting Sylla, who may look abroad but could be another savvy pickup.”
Annor and Sylla, if he signs, will likely be given time with Dynamo 2 to learn and develop under Kenny Bundy and staff. Whenever they do reach the first team is yet to be seen, but it seems that the Dynamo have added two more gems to the club as they continue to build.
