2016 MLS Draft: Orlando City Trades Up, Selects UCF Forward Hadji Barry

Orlando City has made a trade with D.C. United, acquiring the 13th overall selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft in exchange for targeted allocation money and the 32nd overall pick from the 2nd round. With that pick, Orlando selected local product out of UCF, forward Hadji Barry. Barry is familiar with the organization, having attended college just 30 minutes from the offices of the club and playing for the OCSC U-23s.

After spending most of his collegiate career in the shadows of 2015 third overall pick Romario Williams, Barry placed himself firmly on scouts’ radars with a senior season of 11 goals in 17 games. His combine performance was up and down, sandwiching a rough Day 2 between standout performances to open and close the event.

At 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, Barry has a solid frame and is known as a fast, high-level athlete. Scouting consensus seems to be that, while raw, Barry has the ability, character, and mental toughness to be coached into a valuable professional.

When asked about the selection, Head Coach Adrian Heath had this to say on the live broadcast:

"We'd seen an awful lot of him out of the University of Central Florida. He has a lot to learn, but he's an athletic specimen, I'm looking forward to working with him."

His highlight reel shows a talented finisher with a cool head in the box, qualities that the Lions could certainly use at the senior level, once Barry develops.

Unlike seventh overall pick Richie Laryea, Barry will not cost the Lions an international draft slot, as he already has his green card and is working towards U.S. Citizenship.

As Orlando City’s second round selection was part of the trade, this will be it for Phil Rawlins and company, barring a trade back into the first day of the draft. Read more about other first round selection Richie Laryea here.