Who should Sporting KC select in the 2026 MLS Draft? Part One

To start our series on who Sporting Kansas City should take with the number four pick of the 2026 MLS Super Draft, I wanted to highlight a potential center back who would add depth and quality to the roster: Zachary Ehrenpreis at the University of Virginia.

Scouting Methods

For starters, to find these prospects, I pulled from the MLS’s college showcase list, as these players always tend to be drafted and often have players who are selected for Generation Adidas contracts. I do keep in mind that there are players who would have been invited but have teams that are playing in the college soccer cup. I scouted these players by watching one game without notes just to get a feel for their playing style and watching another game with notes. What I present are my raw notes on these players and their games. I also offer an overall assessment of their game based on the games I’ve watched and a summary of their potential fit with SKC.

Scouting vs University of Denver

Defense / Out of Possession

• Reads the game well so far, sees when the long ball is coming
• Makes a good recovery to a defender that gets beat
• Not afraid to step up and pressure the ball when a forward drops off
• His pressure led to a turnover
• Seems proactive
• Major miscommunication with the keeper on a long ball, should have kept running to clear it
• Got beat by a run off the ball while his center back companion stepped to the ball
• First real chance: tracks the run well, positions his body in front of the ball, clears for a corner
• One-on-one he really hasn’t been challenged but looks stout
• First open-field one-on-one: lost, attacker cuts in on his left and spins him
• Did a good job tracking a runner but was second to a ball the goalkeeper spills
• Uses his body well, won’t let attackers gain positions they want

On the Ball / Distribution

• Five minutes in and does not see the ball much
• Not very confident on the ball
• Under pressure he turns and gets the ball to the left back
• Not amazing on the ball, but does not seem phased by pressure
• First time driving forward looks good on the ball
• Has not attempted a long ball (might be offensive scheme)
• First long ball is a little short but looks really good
• Under pressure does well to look up and find runners
• More comfortable playing first-time passes as the game goes on
• Does not take touches where it’s not necessary
• One-touch football when pressured
• No-nonsense with clearances, will hoof it if there’s nowhere to play
• Clears a long ball into a defender rather than out of bounds

Aerial / Physical

• Got pushed off the ball by a forward
• Heads the ball well
• Strong in the air, has not been beaten in the air
• Lost a duel in the air; not as good in the air as first thought
• Has not really had many opportunities to compete in the air

Game Context / Notes

• Wind is really impacting the game, not many long balls
• Taken out with 15 minutes left

Overall assessment: Very raw talent. Has the physical tools to be a good MLS defender. Good positioning, strength. I think he has the aerial prowess but didn’t get to show it. As a freshman, he could step in and be a great developmental defender for SKC today. He could compete in the MLS physically, but I still wonder about his recovery speed.

How does he fit with Sporting KC?

Zachary’s biggest fit with SKC is that he would be left-footed on a roster with no left-footed center backs. Outside of that, his great size and positioning would be great for winning aerial duels, something SKC struggled with last year. His ability to play under pressure is a necessity for this squad as well. Given that this team is set up to play a possession game, being good on the ball is the bare minimum for a Sporting KC center back. If he is there at number four, SKC should select him.