Wednesday, January 15, 2014

2014 MLS Draft - Mock Draft and Podcast

2014 MLS SuperDraft podcast and mock draft

Podcast of myself joining Kamal Hylton talking about the 2014 MLS Draft:
 
 
 
Open Player in a New Window | Subscribe | iTunes | MP3

2014 MLS Mock SuperDraft
Put together after the recording of this episode of the Gaffer & Hooligan, there have been a few small revisions to Aaron Nielsen's and as an update to the first round mock draft, we offer Aaron's most recent selections for the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

* Generation Adidas - (W denotes winger)
FIRST ROUND
 1. DC United - Patrick Mullins, FW


DC picks Mullins to help replace offense left by the departing Dwayne De Rosario.
 2. Philadelphia Union - *Christian Dean, CB
 
With two early picks the Union can take the greater risk and pick Dean. The fact he will not count against salary cap help as well.
 3. Vancouver Whitecaps - Steve Birnbuam, CB
 
Despite Blake being the smarter choice, in my view the temptation of a starting CB in 2014 might be too much to give up.
 4. New England Revolution - *Andre Blake, GK
 
My top prospect will make the Revolution younger, yet stronger, and a club to watch for the future. 
  5. FC Dallas - Steve Neumann, AM
Very early in most people's opinion, but a lack of midfield offense and willingness to develop make Neumann a perfect fit.
  6. Philadelphia Union -  *Marlon Hairston, CM
Young box-to-box midfielder gives the Union another player with a GA contract.
  7. Vancouver Whitecaps - *Schillo Tshuma, FW
Overrated in my view, but Vancouver seems to never pass on a young forward with potential.
  8. Chicago Fire - *AJ Cochrane, DF
After adding two midfielders via HGP, Chicago takes DP defender AJ Cochrane for added depth.
  9. SJ Earthquakes - *Eric Miller, FB
San Jose try to replace a position after two left this winter, and take Miller before the Impact.
  10. Montreal Impact - Kyle Venter, CB
With Miller gone, the Impact work on replacing Nesta and likely have more knowledge of Venter than Cope.
  11. Colorado Rapids - Pedro Ribeiro, CM
The Rapids create a very interesting young central midfield combo of Powers and Ribeiro. 
  12. New England Revolution - Mamadou Diouf, FW
Revs grab a second UCONN player, this one helping in the much needed forward position.
  13. Seattle Sounders - JJ Koval, DM
Seattle stays on the west coast and goes for security in midfield depth. 
  14. LA Galaxy - *Damion Lowe, FB
LA Galaxy grabs the last GA in the draft for much needed help in the full back position.
  15. Toronto FC - Jared Watts, DM
The new TFC are looking for depth, but with rumors of Laba leaving Watts can provide some grittiness.
  16. Houston Dynamo - Kevin Cope, CB
Might be the steal of the draft so there will be no surprise if Houston will make a move for him.
  17. Portland Timbers - Mark Sherrod, FW
Sherrod played with the Timbers U23 and they will be happy to draft him he falls to number 17.
  18. Real Salt Lake - Joey Dillon, DM
Salt Lake goes for proven positional play over athleticism at defensive midfield.
  19. New England Revolution - Pete Caringi, FW
Adding to potential upfront, Caringi might be second choice in draft but first choice on the pitch.
SECOND ROUND
20. Chivas USA - AJ Corrado, RM
Midfielder with good cross from the right, including corners.

21. Seattle Sounders FC - Ben Sweat, FB
Full Back can develop a partnership to DeAndre Yedlin on the left.

22. New York Red Bulls - Jacob Bushue, FB
Red Bulls have question in Defensive Midfield and Full Back with Jacob Bushue having pro potential in both positions.

23. Columbus Crew - Victor Chavez, W
There is a varity of Winger/Forwards in the draft still and although not local Chavez might be best.

24. Toronto FC - Grant Van de Casteele, CB
A defender who can play both Centre and Full Back might give the Reds more security in defense.

25. Philadelphia Union - Eric Stevenson, LM
Philadelphia can start to concentrate on offense and Stevenson provides options on the Left

26. Portland Timbers - Reinaldo Brenes, W
Akron product could excel under Porter who coached and recruited him at Akron.

27. Philadelphia Union - Luca Gimenez, W
Gimanez can match Stevenson from the right but the Brazilian will count as a foreign player

28. San Jose Earthquakes - Fife Baiden, DM  
Athletic Ghanaian Defensive Midfielder who played on the west coast.

29. Montreal Impact - Mackenzie Pridham, FW
Canadian born striker could provide some much needed depth in that position.

30. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Ryan Neil, FB
Good combine will bring Neil up in the draft as a full back. although a Midfielder in college.

31. New England Revolution - Nick Hagglund, CB
Talented defender only improves New England's draft.

32. Houston Dynamo - Aodhan Quinn, RM
Experienced college midfielder fits Houston's history of development.

33. Colorado Rapids - Zach Bolden, AM
Local player needs to show he can transfer success to the pros.

34. New York Red Bulls - George Fochive, DM
French Defensive Midfielder could provide Red Bulls with midfield depth.

35. Colorado Rapids - Patrick Slogic, CB  
Another Hometown player, at 6'6 has potential to be an intimidating Centre Back.

36. Portland Timbers - Robert Derschang, W
Another Akron product who can play all three positions on the left side.

37. Montreal Impact - Marco Franco, FB
Provides Montreal the full back depth that they missed out earlier in the draft.

38. Sporting Kansas City - Taylor Peay, CB
Centre Back who can score may also play defensive midfield.


THIRD ROUND
39. Portland Timbers - Nikita Kotlov, W
Skillful winger fits the mold that Porter has liked in Akron and now in Portland.

40. Chivas USA - Richard Marquez, CB
Unknown local product with Hispanic roots.

41. Sporting Kansas City - Michael Calderon, AM
Talented attacking midfielder although needs to find purpose/role in MLS.

42. Columbus Crew - Thomas McNamara, CM
Offensive Central Midfielder needs to improve defense to be valuable.

43. FC Dallas - Zach Barnes, CM
Texas product, not invited combine, but has potential.

44. Philadelphia Union - Martin Ontiveros, W
Additional depth upfront with some skills and speed.

45. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Ronny Mendoza, CB
Ecuador Centre Back with upside, but will need adapt to play in MLS.

46. Philadelphia Union - Daniel Lovitz, CM
Smart and hard working Central Midfielder from the area.

47. San Jose Earthquakes - Joe Sofia, CB
Non combine invitee, although defensive leader at UCLA

48. Montreal Impact - Wojciech Wojcik, FW
Forward with size and skills although questions regarding pro ability.

49. Colorado Rapids - Tesho Akindele, FW
Local product from division two school has Canadian citizenship.

50. New England Revolution - Tyler Gibson, DM
Reliable midfield force, although not overly talented.

51. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Romena Bowie, DM
Jamaican who has struggled to reach his potential.

52. Philadelphia Union - Enrique Cardenas, W 
Small Winger with offensive potential.

53. Real Salt Lake - Adnan Gabeljic, FW
Big Forward who has yet to show touch.

54. Houston Dynamo - Sunny Jane, W
Highly touted preseason but fell and not invited to combine.

55. Seattle Sounders FC - Spencer Richey, GK
Injured Goalie although has good potential when healthy.

56. D.C. United - Jimmy Ockford, CB
Defender/Midfielder who should provide good depth.

57. Sporting Kansas City - Alex Sweetin, AM
Miss Combine with injury a dead ball specialist in college.


FOURTH ROUND
58. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Chris Duvall, FB
Overshadowed Fullback in college who ran track.

59. Chivas USA - Miguel Gonzalez, FW
Uninvited to combine but lead the NCAA in Shots on Target.

60. Toronto FC - Tomislav Zadro, AM
Canadian Attacking Midfielder with European Soccer background.

61. Chicago Fire - Matt Walker, W
Uninvited to combine and Undersized but has a history of scoring goals.

62. FC Dallas - Omar Matta, AM
Overlooked midfielder who lead Tulsa to a successful season.

63. Philadelphia Union - Jason Plumhoff, AM
Non combine invite although local and great offensive numbers.

64. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Rafael Diaz, GK
Smallish Keeper but can make saves.

65. Chicago Fire - Andre Lewis, W
Small Jamaican U20 Winger who is mostly an unknown.

66. San Jose Earthquakes - Alec Sundly, MF
West coast midfielder with some USNT background.

67. Montreal Impact - Alex Martinez, AM
Flair attacking midfielder although many questions.

68. Colorado Rapids - Fabio Pereira, AM
Free Kick Specialist who lacks in other skills.

69. D.C. United  - Andy Lubahn, FW
Experienced Forward who succeed through effort.

70. Real Salt Lake - Michael Kafari, DM
Ghanaian Defensive Midfielder will struggle for foreign spot.

71. Portland Timbers - Martin Ontiveros, W
Originally recruited by Akron became offensive leader at Furman.

72. Los Angeles Galaxy - Victor Munoz, AM 
Spanish Midfielder who never capitalized on skills.

73. Portland Timbers - Braian Acuna, FB
Unknown Argentinian youth international.

74. San Jose Earthquakes - Peter Schmetz, CB  
Big German Defender who played on the west coast.

75. Chicago Fire - Austin Oldham, CM
Versatile Midfielder who relies on hard work.

76. Sporting Kansas City - Kristopher Tyrpak, W
Was youth teammate with Whitecaps Kekuta Manneh.

77. Seattle Sounders FC - Michael Harris, FB 
Flip throw caused trouble in college could also work in MLS.

No comments:

Post a Comment