Red Bulls trade for top spot in Waiver Draft, select Epps

Fire pick 21-year-old Cristian Martínez and World Cup forward Marco Ureña;

LAFC chooses 23-year-old forward Ricky Lopez-Espin

NEW YORK (Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018) – The New York Red Bulls traded for the top pick during Wednesday’s MLS Waiver Draft and selected 23-year-old midfielder Marcus Epps with the No. 1 choice. Before the Waiver Draft, the Red Bulls traded their second-round 2019 MLS SuperDraft pick to the San Jose Earthquakes for the No. 1 overall selection in the Waiver Draft.

Epps joins the Red Bulls after spending two seasons with the Philadelphia Union. He tallied three goals and three assists in 32 matches during his tenure in Philadelphia.

The Chicago Fire added two players during the draft, selecting 21-year-old Panamanian midfielder Cristian Martínez and Costa Rican forward Marco Ureña, who represented his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Los Angeles Football Club chose 23-year-old forward Ricky Lopez-Espin, formerly of Real Salt Lake.

The Waiver Draft consisted of players who had been waived by their clubs but did not meet the minimum years of service requirement for the Re-Entry Draft or Free Agency. Under-contract players selected in the Waiver Draft are automatically added to the drafting club’s roster. Clubs that claimed out-of-contract players are required to issue a genuine offer to the selected player.

Players who were not selected are now free to sign with the team of their choice.

• CLICK HERE for the full 2018 MLS Waiver Draft guidelines.

PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2018 MLS WAIVER DRAFT