When Major League Soccer is generating major headlines, one can almost guarantee it's due to the arrival of some aging European star with a global fanbase and a desire to keep playing even when the top leagues are no longer interested.

This leads to charges of the MLS as being a "retirement home" for fading legends, but that idea undermines all the work the league has done to give homegrown players a chance to succeed and improve the quality of competition. Stars alone don't make a team in which 11 players need to think and move as one to succeed.

For those looking to see how the future of the league is shaping up stateside, look no further than the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, in which the top collegiate players find new homes in the professional ranks. 

Two new franchises—Orlando City SC and New York City FC—join what could be a banner year in the league's history. Orlando and New York go one and two in this year's draft, and the players drafted on Friday will be key to shaping the debut franchise's respective legacies. 

It's an exciting time for United States soccer, and there is always a little extra buzz following a World Cup year. Here is a look at the SuperDraft viewing info, followed by a mock-up of the first round of the draft.

MLS SuperDraft 2015 Viewing Info

Date: Thursday, Jan. 15

Time (ET): 12:30 p.m.

Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Live Stream: MLSSoccer.com (Hosted on Youtube)

Mock Draft

1. Orlando City SC: Cyle Larin, F, UConn

Cyle Larin takes the top spot in a number of mock drafts, and his status as a Generation Adidas player makes him a very alluring pick for a new franchise looking to get things right from Day 1. Orlando City SC would be a great place for him to start his career, but MLSSoccer.com's Matt Doyle can see another team trying to secure his services:

Don't count on that happening. Larin is the right pick here. The prospect of him latching onto perfectly weighted passes from Kaka a year or two down the line is an exciting one.

2. New York City FC: Cristian Roldan, M, Washington 

Midfield might not seem of much concern to New York City FC after bringing in U.S. Men's national team regular Mix Diskerud, per an announcement from the Norwegian-American on the team's website, but they would be unwise to pass up on a gem like Cristian Roldan.

Roldan's technical skills are well-refined for a collegiate player and could see solid minutes as a rookie playing in place of an absent Frank Lampard—who apparently won't join the team until July—and then spelling him when the English legend makes his way to the Big Apple.

3. Montreal Impact: Khiry Shelton, F, Oregon State 

The Montreal Impact knocked in just 38 goals last season, fewer than all but two teams (once of which, Chivas USA, is now defunct). Khiry Shelton can play on the wing as well as up top and boasts excellent size and athleticism. Soccer journalist Charles Boehm had a flattering comparison for Shelton:

Deshorn Brown scored 10 goals as a rookie in 2013 for the Colorado Rapids; the Impact (or really any team) would be ecstatic to get a return like that from Shelton.

4. San Jose Earthquakes: Conor Donovan, CB, NC State

Conor Donovan gets a big draft bump here as a Generation Adidas signee and a U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team member. The Earthquakes could also go for a forward here, but Donovan is a great developmental prospect with fantastic upside.

5. Portland Timbers: Ramon Martin Del Campo, CB, UC Davis

According to Ives Galarcep of Soccer By Ives, Ramon Martin Del Campo could be set for a draft free fall after a disappointing combine performance:

The consensus at the Combine is that he doesn’t look the part, and is tumbling down the draft boards of several teams. All that said, it only takes one team to be big fans of his to have Del Campo go in the first round, and the fact he was able to secure a senior contract suggests that there is at least one team that rates him that highly.

However, the Timbers are in pretty good shape at center-back with Liam Ridgewell and Nat Borchers, making them perhaps the perfect team to slowly, surely groom Martin Del Campo and help him realize his full potential.

6. Toronto FC: Fatai Alashe, M/D, Michigan State

Toronto FC should focus on developing a backbone now that Jozy Altidore is set to join fellow U.S. international Michael Bradley in Canada. According to a report from ESPN FC, Toronto FC will send striker Jermain Defoe to Sunderland in exchange for Altidore and cash considerations.

Alashe is a strong, physical midfielder who served as the steely foundation for Michigan State's run to the NCAA Tournament in 2014. He would be an excellent addition to a Toronto midfield that needs to find players that can gel with Bradley.

7. Chicago Fire: Boyd Okwuonu, CB, North Carolina

The Chicago Fire have a putrid back line, and Boyd Okwuonu's athleticism at center-back and potential to fill in at right-back makes him too enticing for the Fire to pass up here, even if the signing of Adailton does alleviate some of the concern in defense.

The MLS is a very physical league, so it could take some time for the diminutive Okwuonu to get accustomed to the rigor, but he should have little problem adjusting to the pace with his agility and strong ball skills.

8. Houston Dynamo: Tim Parker, CB, St. John's

The Houston Dynamo could use an enforcer at center-back. Marquette's Axel Sjoberg is a possibility, but look for Houston to take a chance on Tim Parker out of St. John's, who can count size and aerial-duel acumen among his strengths.

9. Toronto FC: Alex Bono, GK, Syracuse

Toronto doesn't have an immediate need at keeper with the likes of Joe Bendik in the fold, but they would be foolish to pass up on the supremely talented Alex Bono at this point. The Generation Adidas player truly appears to be one for the future, and Toronto will need to focus on shoring up defense if Altidore, Bradley and company can get the offense clicking. 

10. Sporting Kansas City: Nick Besler, M, Notre Dame

I believe the universe is an ultimately benevolent place and will allow Nick Besler to pair up with older brother Matt Besler in Kansas City. The younger Besler's talent as a defensive midfielder could be in high demand at the top of this draft, so don't be surprised if the likes of the Houston Dynamo or Toronto FC break up this familial pairing before it even starts.

11. Toronto FC: Skylar Thomas, CB, Syracuse

If Toronto does indeed keep all three first-round picks, look for them to finish up the youth movement in the team's spine by picking up Canadian prospect Skylar Thomas, who should provide much needed depth in central defense.

12. Sporting Kansas City: Romario Williams, F, Central Florida

Romario Williams would be a dream pickup for Sporting Kansas City should he tumble this far. They may even have to consider taking him at No. 10, especially if Besler isn't available. Williams' speed and ability to run onto the ball make him a strong candidate to replace the likes of C.J. Sapong.

13. Vancouver Whitecaps: Dan Metzger, M, Maryland

Dan Metzger is a dependable central midfielder. Not terribly flashy, but he gets the job done. He should develop into a player capable of linking the defense and attack in Vancouver.

14. Columbus Crew: Aaron Simmons, D/M, UCLA

The Crew can use depth in multiple areas, and while Simmons might be better off as a defender, his ability to play midfield can't hurt and should see him picked no later than the middle of the first round.

15. FC Dallas: Eric Bird, M, Virginia

Eric Bird is a potential box-to-box midfielder with some scoring panache. He tallied 12 goals in 43 games from 2013-14. Look for him to find a home in FC Dallas, which should be able to make good use of his creativity and ability to burst forward in attack.

16. Real Salt Lake: Leo Stolz, M, UCLA

Leo Stolz is worthy of a top-10, perhaps even top-five pick, but his ambiguous attitude toward the MLS makes it tough for the teams up top to commit to him (although Toronto might considering their abundance of options). According to American Soccer Now's Brooke Tunstall, Stolz will be trialing with lower-division clubs in his native Germany.

“It’s not as much about not wanting to join MLS as it is deciding to want to go back to Germany and try and begin my career there," he said.

If Stolz does fall this far in the draft, look for Real Salt Lake to snatch up the Hermann Trophy winner in a heartbeat.

17. D.C. United: Otis Earle, LB, UC Riverside

D.C. United needs a third goalkeeper, but with the highly capable Bill Hamid still in the fold, look for them to address depth issues elsewhere. Otis Earle is a speedy left-back capable of moving up into a midfield spot if need be. 

18. New York Red Bulls: Oumar Ballo, CB, UMBC

Center-back is the obvious choice for the Red Bulls, and the left-footed Oumar Ballo would be a solid late-round pickup. The towering defender Anthony Manning out of St. Louis is also an option here.

19. Colorado Rapids: Seth Casiple, M, Cal

The Rapids are in a position to pick up the best available player here, which could very well be Cal's Seth Casiple. MLSSoccer.com's Nate Sulat had high praise for Casiple, who notched seven assists in a deep-lying midfield role in 2014:

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: Seth Casiple is a beta version of Michael Bradley. He’s an excellent set-up guy, as evidenced by his seven assists this year (although playing with guys like Connor Hallisey and Stefano Bonomo likely has something to do with that, but not everything). But he can also win the ball back when the need arises. Versatility is a double-edged sword when it comes time to draft players, but in Casiple’s case his well-rounded game will probably serve him well.

20. Sporting Kansas City: Axel Sjoberg, CB, Marquette

In this mock, Sporting KC have already addressed needs in central midfield and forward, so look for them to take a stab at shoring up the back line. Sjoberg is a mammoth defender at 6'7" and could be one of the top overall talents available at this point.

21. Los Angeles Galaxy: Andy Craven, F, North Carolina 

The Galaxy don't really have many pressing needs with a star-studded roster, so look for them to add depth up top with Hermann Trophy finalist Andy Craven. The Tar Heel product is a versatile player who can put in a strong shift centrally or move out wide, where Los Angeles lack natural options beyond the likes of Stefan Ishikazi.

Los Angeles could also try to grab a keeper here considering they don't have a second-round pick and need depth at that spot as well.

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