Here are the picks in the first round of the 1997 MLS Collegiate Draft.
| No. | Team | Selection | Pos. | College |
| 1 | Colorado | Tahj Jakins | D | UCLA |
| 2 | Tampa Bay | Mike Fisher | MF | Virginia |
| 3 | Columbus | Rob Jachym | MF | Hartford |
| 4 | San Jose | Alberto Montoya | MF | Santa Clara |
| 5 | MetroStars | Brian Kelly | F | Duke |
| 6 | Dallas | Temoc Suarez | F | North Carolina |
| 7 | Kansas City | Brian Johnson | MF | Fresno State |
| 8 | Tampa Bay | Mike Mekelburg | MF | South Florida |
| 9 | Los Angeles | Steve Jolley | MF | William & Mary |
| 10 | D.C. United | Danny Care | D | Clemson |
Note: Tampa Bay received New England’s first-round pick as compensation for the signing of coach Thomas Rongen.