FRISCO, Texas — The MLS SuperDraft is not like the collegiate drafts in other American sports leagues.
In the NBA and NFL, teams are eyeing players that can help shape their future.
With MLS, it’s a different story. The No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Joao Moutinho, was traded by LAFC to Orlando City SC for Mohamed El-Munir in the offseason. The second overall pick, Thomas Hillard Arce, made five appearances for the LA Galaxy in the 2018 season.
So when draft picks step up and enter the rotation in MLS, it’s rare. It’s even rarer for a team like FC Dallas, who want to develop talent in its academy and reward players who have been in the system such as a Reggie Cannon, Paxton Pomykal, and Edwin Cerrillo.
For rookie fullback John Nelson, it has put a chip on his shoulder. The 20-year-old was selected 10th by Dallas in the 2019 SuperDraft and has been a revelation for the team, making gameday rosters and earning key minutes under Luchi Gonzalez.
“They showed us the numbers at the draft of who gets signed and who gets cut,” Nelson told Pro Soccer USA. “It’s pretty scary, but for my mentality, I didn’t care. I knew if I worked hard and did my thing, I’d be fine. I wanted to prove people wrong and prove the statistics wrong, that I can make it.”
He came into the season third on the depth chart, behind Marquinhos Pedroso and Ryan Hollingshead. However, a strong preseason and impressive play by Nelson has seen him overtake Pedroso for that backup role behind Hollingshead. Pedroso was traded to D.C. United last week, giving Nelson a vote of confidence early in the season as a key substitute off the bench.
“John’s done very well,” Gonzalez said. “John showed us this in the combine and in video before the combine. First of all, he has good technique. He’s very comfortable with the ball. He always has a good, clean first touch and a clear idea of what to do with the ball with that first touch. His decision making, in terms of his position making, he’s a player that never hides. He’s always a solution, whether we’re being pressed and he wants to help us play out, or he’s getting forward and supporting the attack. He’s a player that’s moving to be involved in the play and be a solution in the play.”
The transition for Nelson was difficult. The numbers stacked against him, Nelson worked hard during the preseason, aiming to impress coaches in any way. His versatility has been a strength, as he has been deployed as a centerback, a left back, a right back, a center midfielder, and a left wing. His ability on the ball allows him to do that, something Cannon noticed while playing with him during training.
“Johnny is a really interesting player,” Cannon told Pro Soccer USA. “The thing with him is under pressure, most outside backs are not as calm as he would be. He’s very comfortable with his back to the play, receiving the ball with pressure from the winger that’s flying at you. He’s very comfortable with that and knows how to get out of those situations. For attacking wise, he’s a very solid player. Great crosser and a very solid defender. All-around, he’s just a very good player. It’s someone I would trust with that left back position, or even right back. That’s even a better thing about him. He’s on the coaches radar with that utility.”
Nelson has been put in tough situations early on in his career. In his debut in a 1-0 loss against the Columbus Crew, Nelson was substituted on to chase a goal late. His next match was a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia, where Nelson was brought on as a wing to try and see out the match. Gonzalez continued to show his faith in Nelson, putting him on for 29 minutes against Atlanta United in the 2-1 victory after Bressan was forced off.
“Luchi putting me in those situations to help the team and get out a win, yeah I think Luchi has a lot of trust, which is good right now for a young player,” Nelson said. “But if that means I’m making the roster and subbing in the last 10 minutes to close out a game, I’m just going to do whatever Luchi and the coaches want me to do.”
Before those MLS matches, Nelson made some appearances with Dallas’ second team, North Texas SC, in the preseason. Adding the United Soccer League One side has provided Dallas an outlet to get players playing time, which has benefitted players like Nelson and given them a platform to show their importance.
“Talking with Luchi and the coaches about it, they wanted me to get minutes a few times with North Texas and there’s a lot of very good young players on that team that will be very good in a few years,” Nelson said. “It was good to get a full 90 in and stay sharp. It helps me be ready for the first team when I get called.”
Off the field, Nelson is close with Borussia Dortmund and United States Men’s National Team player Christian Pulisic, who visited Nelson in Ohio, where the two watched the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors play in the 2018 NBA Finals.
“I’m pretty good friends with Christian just through the US youth teams residency,” Nelson said. “We got close. We stay in touch. I watch his games to support him, he tries to watch me when he can, but obviously, the time difference is tough. We play a lot of Fortnite together. It’s awesome. I’m looking up to him to learn some things from him.”
Pulisic is no stranger to having the odds against him. He’s proven himself and provided a pathway for Americans in Europe to get noticed and succeed. It’s an element that Nelson wants to take in his early days in MLS.
“As a young player, don’t be scared,” Nelson said when asked if Pulisic has given any advice. “Always have that mentality if you know you’re not playing, if you’re just making the roster, to keep doing well. It’s tough to go into a team right away like he did in Dortmund and start, but he worked his way up like I’m doing. He’s getting up there in the ranks and doing well.”
While he’s only been in MLS for a few months, Nelson has excelled and worked his way up the rotation. However, he’s not just satisfied with getting playing time. His mentality is all about being hungry and training hard, something he said college players struggle to adjust to when coming to the big leagues.
“With players that are in college and say they get drafted very high in the draft, they may go to a place where development for a young player isn’t the best spot or they go into a very tough environment,” Nelson said. “College, you’re all friends with everyone in the locker room.”
“But here, you’re fighting for your life and playing for a spot. That’s the biggest transition for people who do not realize that the guy next to you wants to beat you out everyday.”