Sporting KC selects three in SuperDraft

Sporting Kansas City selected three players in the MLS SuperDraft today. Before the draft started, Sporting KC made a trade with the Colorado Rapids. Sporting KC received $162,500 in 2025 GAM and the 8th overall pick from Colorado and the Rapids received SKC’s 4th overall pick in return.

Selections:

• Round 1: Jansen Miller (No. 8) – D, Indiana
• Round 2: Anthony Samways (No. 34) – D, Ohio State
• Round 3: Leon Koehl (No. 64) – M, Maryland

Jansen Miller

Sporting KC selected 22-year-old center-back Jansen Miller with the 8th overall pick. Miller is 6-foot-2 and hails from Ballwin, Missouri. Miller played his first two collegiate seasons at Xavier University but completed his college career with the Indiana Hoosiers. He was a standout defender for Indiana but is also known for his ability to get forward. When asked to describe himself as a player, Miller responded, “I think I bring a very athletic and aggressive approach from center back, and probably any spot on the back line. I love to be on the ball. I really take pride in my defending. I would say my best attribute is my athletic ability and ability on the ball.”

American Soccer Analysis placed Miller as the first named player in the top tier of center-backs. “He is capable of driving into the attacking third and taking on opponents, which is an excellent way to disrupt opposition defenses.” Go to their site, read the rest of the description, and compare Miller to the other available central defenders on their chart. Also thanks and appreciation to American Soccer Analysis, one of the few locations that dove into the college players for the draft. As the SuperDraft drops in relevance, fewer analysts take the time to evaluate the eligible players.

Miller grew up in the St. Louis suburbs playing for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club, a natural rival for the Sporting KC Academy. He is familiar with and looking forward to the facilities SKC can provide and learning from Peter Vermes. The answer to the standard St. Louis question is Parkway West. His parents have started following St. Louis City SC since they finally joined the league but are already switching allegiances to the blue side of the state.

Anthony Samways

Samways was drafted fourth in the second round and 34th overall out of Ohio State. Samways was also listed on the American Soccer Analysis article on the draft. He was ranked in the second tier of their analysis, placing high in multiple categories. The 22-year-old  is listed as a defender but has also played in the midfield but is likely best suited as an outside/wingback in MLS. Ohio coach Maisonneuve described Samways: “Anthony is a very good soccer player with a high IQ. He has the ability to play both sides of the ball as an outside back and the versatility to pop in the midfield as well.”

Leon Koehl

Koehl is a 20-year-old midfielder that came out after his sophomore season for the Maryland Terrapins. He is a native of Cologne, Germany and spent his youth career with Bayer Leverkusen. Koehl even made the bench for their first team in a Bundesliga match in May 2023 before leaving to play for Maryland. Koehl plays primarily as a defensive midfielder but also centrally.

How did Sporting KC do in the draft?

The MLS SuperDraft transitions to the SuperflousDraft more and more each year, making it harder to select definite contributors. There are still good players in the draft that come out and play for their respective first-teams each year. It is of course impossible to know but by all appearances, they selected well.

Miller has a good chance to make the roster and has the tools to step up to the next level. He might get a lot of time with SKC II but practice with the first team. Samways can provide depth at outside back if he makes the first-team roster. He might be signed to SKC II where he would have a chance to demonstrate the ability to move up. Koehl is young and also seems destined for a stint with SKC II to prove his abilities. All three should get their chance to prove themselves in preseason as well.