In 2017, Abu Danladi was selected #1 overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Minnesota United FC. A product of UCLA, Danladi was touted as the next big thing in American soccer. His rookie year wasn’t bad either — he scored 8 goals in 27 appearances and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
But then… the promise faded.
Plagued by injuries and struggling with consistency, Danladi failed to replicate his early form. He was eventually released by Minnesota, signed by Nashville SC, then re-signed and released again. By 2023, he had dropped off the radar entirely.
His career serves as a cautionary tale about the uncertainty of the MLS draft system. Unlike in other sports, top picks in MLS often face unpredictable development paths, complicated by roster rules, injuries, and the league’s competitive balance. Danladi’s story is a stark reminder: talent isn’t always enough.
