Canadian Cyle Larin taken first overall in 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando

Brampton-born striker Cyle Larin was the No. 1 pick of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, becoming the first Canadian to be taken first overall when he was selected by the expansion club Orlando City SC.

The previous high belonged to Toronto FC midfielder Kyle Bekker, who was picked No. 3 by TFC in 2013.

Larin, 19, starred at the University of Connecticut over the last two seasons, scoring 23 goals in 39 games. He entered the draft regarded as the No. 1 prospect available.

Having already been capped three times by the Canadian men's national team, Larin is currently in Jamaica with the Canadian under-20 squad for the CONCACAF under-20 championship.

Praise for his play has poured in from across the country.

"He’s an attacking player who can score goals. He’s a threat every time he gets the ball," Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson told the Vancouver Sun when asked about Larin. "Cyle’s one of those players that just has the raw ability to be what he wants to be," said Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko.

The Montreal Impact selected UFC forward Romario Williams with the third overall pick. Toronto FC had three first round picks, using the first on a goalkeeper and the next two on defenders. Syracuse keeper Alex Bono was their top selection at No. 6. At No. 9 they went with North Carolina's Clement Simonin and at No. 11 they drafted Pickering native Skylar Thomas, who played collegiatelly with Bono at Syracuse. The Whitecaps picked St. John's University defender Tim Parker with the 13th selection.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr