DC United left little room for interpretation at the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. By selecting Nikola Markovic with the top overall pick, the club made it clear that any rebuild starts, before optimistic talk, by fixing a very real problem, the defense. After finishing the 2025 season at the bottom of the standings and conceding 66 goals, the second worst total in MLS, the franchise chose a young center back already tested at a high college level and coming off a strong run of collective performances.
Markovic steps into the professional soccer ranks after a season of major impact at North Carolina State University. He started all 22 matches for the Wolfpack in 2025 and played a central role on a team that allowed just 13 goals, posted 15 clean sheets and reached the NCAA national championship final for the first time in program history. The recognition followed naturally, with the defender earning First Team All-American honors, a distinction that firmly placed him on the radar of top league scouts.
A profile closely watched and chosen with care
DC United’s decision was not automatic or based solely on reports. The club followed Markovic in person during the decisive stages of the NCAA tournament, evaluating not only his on field production but also the type of profile that could fit a roster in the middle of a rebuild. That approach was reflected in the words of the club’s managing director of soccer operations, Dr. Erkut Sogut, who pointed to factors beyond technical performance.
“What Nikola brought to the team wasn’t just being a leader on the field, which we observed very closely, but also being a great leader off the field,” Sogut said. According to him, “his character and the evaluation of his player profile played an important role,” reinforcing that the decision came after a deep analysis aligned with the culture DC United wants to establish.
For a team that spent much of last season trying to regroup amid poor results, that kind of concern stops being a detail and becomes a priority. A defense that was repeatedly exposed in 2025 is now being treated as the starting point.
From Canadian soccer to a chance to lead a turnaround
Born in Canada, Markovic previously came through the CF Montréal academy before enrolling at NC State, a developmental path that helps explain his quick adjustment to the high level of competition in college soccer. Speaking about being selected in the draft, the center back described the moment as a dream come true.
“It’s a dream that’s become reality,” Markovic said. “I’ve always wanted to play professionally and while this is the fulfillment of a dream, I think it’s only the beginning because I want to achieve much more.” He then made a point of thanking his family, his coaches and the NC State group, calling the season special and referring to his teammates as brothers.
Markovic is just the fourth player in DC United history to be taken with the first overall pick in the SuperDraft, joining Jason Moore, Alecko Eskandarian and Freddy Adu. Now, expectations center less on immediate impact and more on consistency and long term development.