2025-06-13, 01:39 PM - Word count:
Where Are They Now?
Revisiting the First Round of the Season 18 Draft Class
The Season 18 Draft Class was one of the largest in league history. With multiple teams rebuilding and a wave of young talent entering the league, the first round was expected to shape the future. Three seasons later, it's time to check in. Who has lived up to the hype, who is still waiting for their moment, and whose career ended before it even began?
1. Julian Rubio - ST
Drafted By: União São Paulo
Current Team: União São Paulo
União São Paulo were bottom of the table before Season 18 and desperate for a spark. Julian Rubio became exactly that. The young striker was trusted with a starting role from day one and has paid that trust back with consistent goal scoring and a growing reputation as a big-game player. Since joining, USP has climbed from last place to back-to-back top-three finishes, winning a cup along the way. Rubio remains the centerpiece of one of the league’s most ambitious projects and is already one of the most productive strikers of his generation.
2. Ben Nelson - CDM
Drafted By: CF Catalunya
Current Team: CF Catalunya
Nelson entered the league with high expectations and was quickly handed a key role in Catalunya’s midfield. While he has been a regular presence over the past few seasons, the team around him has not held up its end. Catalunya finished bottom of the table last season and are in full rebuild mode. Individually, Nelson brings structure and discipline to the midfield, but he has not yet developed into the dominant presence many expected at the number two spot. With better support, he still has the tools to turn things around.
3. Daryl McManus - CM
Drafted By: CA Buenos Aires
Current Team: CA Buenos Aires
McManus was never the flashiest player in the draft, but he was one of the safest. That has proven to be true in Buenos Aires, where he has quietly become a regular starter and an important part of the team’s midfield rotation. He helps control tempo, keeps the ball moving, and rarely makes poor decisions. McManus fits perfectly into CA Buenos Aires’ steady, methodical style and has helped them remain a consistent top-half team in a league full of volatility.
4. Thomas Hohenhahn - ST
Drafted By: Hollywood FC
Current Team: Shanghai Dragons FC
Hohenhahn’s career has taken an unorthodox path after being selected fourth overall. He spent two full seasons in the minors with FC Kaapstad, where he developed his skill set and earned a reputation as a dynamic attacking talent on one of the league’s premier team. Now, he is finally stepping into the spotlight as the franchise forward for Shanghai Dragons FC. With the expansion team built around him, Hohenhahn has the opportunity to prove he belongs at the top level. He has the tools. The only question is whether he can translate them into results.
5. Charlie Chambers - CD
Drafted By: Tokyo S.C.
Current Team: Tokyo S.C.
Chambers has quietly become one of the most reliable defenders from the Season 18 class. He started early for Tokyo and has grown into a leadership role at the back, despite the team’s recent struggles in the standings. Strong in the air and composed under pressure, Chambers continues to show signs of long-term potential. As Tokyo looks to contend for a title, Chambers is a piece they can count on to provide stability and maturity beyond his years.
6. Alex Calderon - CB
Drafted By: Hollywood FC
Current Team: FC Kaapstad
Calderon has yet to play a single minute in the top division, but that should not be seen as a knock on his development. Instead, he has become the leader of Hollywood’s minor league affiliate, FC Kaapstad, where he has captained the team through multiple title challenges. He is steady, tactically sharp, and increasingly seen as one of the best uncapped defenders in the system. A call-up to the major league roster seems inevitable, and Calderon looks more than ready for the jump.
7. Dina Skovgaard - RB
Drafted By: Schwarzwälder FV
Current Team: Montreal United
Skovgaard has quietly put together an impressive early career, even if it has flown under the radar. She has yet to debut for Schwarzwälder’s first team, but she played a major role in Montreal United’s championship-winning season in the minors. Smart, composed, and tough to beat defensively, she brings a maturity rarely seen in young fullbacks. With strong performances and a proven track record, Skovgaard is a prime candidate for promotion this season.
8. Florian Gaisberg - CDM
Drafted By: Reykjavik United
Current Team: Reykjavik United
Gaisberg may have been the final pick of the first round, but he has already collected more silverware than anyone else in his class. He spent his rookie year with Reykjavik’s minor league team, playing a key role in their title-winning campaign. Since then, he has broken into the first team and helped Reykjavik United secure a second straight league championship. A composed holding midfielder with excellent positioning and discipline, Gaisberg has become a valuable contributor on one of the league’s strongest rosters and looks like a long-term piece of their core.
Revisiting the First Round of the Season 18 Draft Class
The Season 18 Draft Class was one of the largest in league history. With multiple teams rebuilding and a wave of young talent entering the league, the first round was expected to shape the future. Three seasons later, it's time to check in. Who has lived up to the hype, who is still waiting for their moment, and whose career ended before it even began?
1. Julian Rubio - ST
Drafted By: União São Paulo
Current Team: União São Paulo
União São Paulo were bottom of the table before Season 18 and desperate for a spark. Julian Rubio became exactly that. The young striker was trusted with a starting role from day one and has paid that trust back with consistent goal scoring and a growing reputation as a big-game player. Since joining, USP has climbed from last place to back-to-back top-three finishes, winning a cup along the way. Rubio remains the centerpiece of one of the league’s most ambitious projects and is already one of the most productive strikers of his generation.
2. Ben Nelson - CDM
Drafted By: CF Catalunya
Current Team: CF Catalunya
Nelson entered the league with high expectations and was quickly handed a key role in Catalunya’s midfield. While he has been a regular presence over the past few seasons, the team around him has not held up its end. Catalunya finished bottom of the table last season and are in full rebuild mode. Individually, Nelson brings structure and discipline to the midfield, but he has not yet developed into the dominant presence many expected at the number two spot. With better support, he still has the tools to turn things around.
3. Daryl McManus - CM
Drafted By: CA Buenos Aires
Current Team: CA Buenos Aires
McManus was never the flashiest player in the draft, but he was one of the safest. That has proven to be true in Buenos Aires, where he has quietly become a regular starter and an important part of the team’s midfield rotation. He helps control tempo, keeps the ball moving, and rarely makes poor decisions. McManus fits perfectly into CA Buenos Aires’ steady, methodical style and has helped them remain a consistent top-half team in a league full of volatility.
4. Thomas Hohenhahn - ST
Drafted By: Hollywood FC
Current Team: Shanghai Dragons FC
Hohenhahn’s career has taken an unorthodox path after being selected fourth overall. He spent two full seasons in the minors with FC Kaapstad, where he developed his skill set and earned a reputation as a dynamic attacking talent on one of the league’s premier team. Now, he is finally stepping into the spotlight as the franchise forward for Shanghai Dragons FC. With the expansion team built around him, Hohenhahn has the opportunity to prove he belongs at the top level. He has the tools. The only question is whether he can translate them into results.
5. Charlie Chambers - CD
Drafted By: Tokyo S.C.
Current Team: Tokyo S.C.
Chambers has quietly become one of the most reliable defenders from the Season 18 class. He started early for Tokyo and has grown into a leadership role at the back, despite the team’s recent struggles in the standings. Strong in the air and composed under pressure, Chambers continues to show signs of long-term potential. As Tokyo looks to contend for a title, Chambers is a piece they can count on to provide stability and maturity beyond his years.
6. Alex Calderon - CB
Drafted By: Hollywood FC
Current Team: FC Kaapstad
Calderon has yet to play a single minute in the top division, but that should not be seen as a knock on his development. Instead, he has become the leader of Hollywood’s minor league affiliate, FC Kaapstad, where he has captained the team through multiple title challenges. He is steady, tactically sharp, and increasingly seen as one of the best uncapped defenders in the system. A call-up to the major league roster seems inevitable, and Calderon looks more than ready for the jump.
7. Dina Skovgaard - RB
Drafted By: Schwarzwälder FV
Current Team: Montreal United
Skovgaard has quietly put together an impressive early career, even if it has flown under the radar. She has yet to debut for Schwarzwälder’s first team, but she played a major role in Montreal United’s championship-winning season in the minors. Smart, composed, and tough to beat defensively, she brings a maturity rarely seen in young fullbacks. With strong performances and a proven track record, Skovgaard is a prime candidate for promotion this season.
8. Florian Gaisberg - CDM
Drafted By: Reykjavik United
Current Team: Reykjavik United
Gaisberg may have been the final pick of the first round, but he has already collected more silverware than anyone else in his class. He spent his rookie year with Reykjavik’s minor league team, playing a key role in their title-winning campaign. Since then, he has broken into the first team and helped Reykjavik United secure a second straight league championship. A composed holding midfielder with excellent positioning and discipline, Gaisberg has become a valuable contributor on one of the league’s strongest rosters and looks like a long-term piece of their core.
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