D.C. United has taken Canadian defender Nikola Markovic first overall in the MLS SuperDraft.
The 21-year-old sophomore centre back from Gatineau, Que., helped North Carolina State to the NCAA tournament championship game earlier this week, with the Wolfpack losing 3-2 on a golden goal to the University of Washington.
The only other Canadian to go first overall in the MLS draft was Cyle Larin in 2015. He went on to become MLS Rookie of the Year with Orlando City before taking his talents to Europe.
Markovic, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, was one of four underclassmen to sign Generation Adidas contracts with Major League Soccer, adding to their desirability given that such deals do not count against a team’s salary cap budget.
The six-foot-four, 205-pounder won gold with Quebec at the 2022 Canada Games and joined the CF Montreal academy at 18, spending a year and a half there before starting at North Carolina State.
Markovic started all 22 of North Carolina State’s games this season as the Wolfpack outscored its opposition 50-12 with an NCAA-best 15 shutouts. Markovic earned first-team all-American honours and was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
He is the first No. 1 overall selection in North Carolina State program history.
While Markovic’s brief is stopping goals, he can make an impact at the other end of the field.
Last November, his headed goal in double overtime was the Wolfpack’s winner over Charlotte in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He had two goals and two assists this season.
After making the All-ACC Freshman Team last season, Markovic was named to 2025 All-ACC Team in addition to his conference defensive player honours.
