Club to select No. 19 in MLS draft today

Atlanta United will partic- ipate in its sixth MLS draft today starting at 3 p.m. The predraft show starts at 2:30 p.m. and can be followed on the MLS website, its app, its Twitter handle and/or its Facebook page.

Here is a primer on the event, which will be held virtually.

When does Atlanta United pick? It is scheduled to pick 19th. The order of the picks in the first round is as follows: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Toronto, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Chicago, San Jose, Miami, Colorado, Montreal, Columbus, D.C. United, Cincinnati, the New York Red Bulls, Vancouver, Minnesota, Orlando, Atlanta United, Seattle, the L.A. Galaxy, Sporting KC, Colorado, New England, Real Salt Lake, Nashville, Port- land and NYCFC.

How many rounds are there? Three. Atlanta Unit- ed’s other picks are 19th in the second round (47th overall) and 19th (75th overall) and 32nd (88th overall) in the third round.

How many minutes between picks? Four, with a 10-minute break between rounds.

How many of Atlanta United’s draft picks currently are on the senior roster? One. Miles Robinson, the team’s first pick in its first draft in 2017. Aiden Mcfadden, picked last year, is with Atlanta United 2.

What are the odds of finding a first-team player with any of its pic k s?

Not good, truthfully. The team’s first draft was its best with Robinson, who has 87 appearances and developed into arguably the best defender in the league, and Julian Gressel, who made 98 appearances before being traded to D.C. United before the 2020 season. The best of the rest, a group of 12, includes Jon Gallagher, who made 16 appearances.

Also, the team’s roster is almost full, meaning any players selected likely will go to Atlanta United 2.

Does the team have any needs? Yes. It needs a backup striker of quality and another centerback.

Are any Georgia natives available for selection?

There are two: former Atlanta United academy player Charlie Asensio, a Roswell native who matriculated to Clemson and had a standout career, and Damian Rodriguez, a Dalton native who plays for Chattanooga FC. From Georgia colleges, George Proctor, a native of Leeds, England and a defender at Georgia State, is eligible.