2009 MLS SUPERDRAFT MOCK DRAFT 3.0
The second day was much better than the first. Overall, everyone stepped up their game. A few players are still struggling and surprisingly it is some of the underclassmen. Two guys that really helped themselves on the second day are Amarikwa and Gonzalez. Amarikwa scored a brace after a poor showing on day one, and Omar Gonzalez showed he isn’t as slow as he looks. Peri Marosevic scored again and it looks like the draft has more defensive talent than was first anticipated.
A few notes before we get started: NYRB have traded Van Den Bergh and their 14th pick to FC Dallas for Oduro and their 11th and 18th pick. Its a good trade all around. Dallas gets the wide mid they needed without having to lose one of their higher picks. NYRB relieves some cap space, gets a speedy forward, and another pick in this years stacked draft.
Here is how things changed after the second day of games.
First Round:
1. Seattle Sounders: Sam Cronin, Moves up from #2 after the second day, probably the most ready to be an immediate impact player. Showed on day 2 that he is the real deal and is the best player in the draft.
2. Toronto FC: Omar Gonzalez, Central Defender, Moves up from #5, not as slow as he looks and he proved that on Sunday. He is good trade bait since Galaxy and FC Dallas are both very interested in him.
3. Los Angeles Galaxy: Kevin Alston, Right Defender, Up from #6, started at left back and looked terrible. Once moved to right back he looked really good. Was solid again on day 2. Galaxy aren’t likely to go for a center back not named Omar Gonzalez, and Alston is the best at right back in the draft. .
4. Toronto FC: Steve Zakuani, Forward, Down from #1, tons of potential, but there are a few guys who are ready to step in right away. I could see Toronto holding on to Zakuani.
5. FC Dallas: AJ Delagarza, Defender, Biggest Mover, wasn’t even in my top 30 before day one. Looked like the best defender in the draft. Played for Maryland. Still looks like the best defender after day 2, but he lacks the size to play center back. Will likely be converted into a fullback.
6. DC United: Jeremy Hall, Left Mid, Down a spot. He didn’t have a good day, but I doubt it will hurt his stock too much. He would be the best player available when this pick comes around for DC United.
7. DC United: Stefan Frei, Goalkeeper, looked really good again and might go higher.
8. Kansas City Wizards: Brad Ring, Center Midfielder, he is injured and hasn’t played this combine. Next to Cronin, he was the highest regarded senior midfielder. He could fill the gap left by Zavagnin.
9. Chivas USA: Chris Pontious, Forward, Big mover from #17. Looked ready to contribute right away. Great second day as well, should go in the first round.
10. New England: Rodney Wallace, Defender, another bad day doesn’t help Wallace’s stock seeing him drop to #10. There are still plenty of coaches who think highly of him though.
11. NYRB from FC Dallas: Kyle Patterson, Outside Mid/Forward, Moved up from #23, dangerous and active at the draft. NYRB needs an outside mid after trading away Van Den Bergh.
12. Real Salt Lake: Baggio Husidic, Creative Center Mid, Was #9, still looks like a first rounder, but will need a good pre-season camp to get up to speed for the pro game.
13. Toronto FC: O’Brian White, Forward, they say Toronto want him so he stays for now.
14. FC Dallas from NYRB: Yohance Marshall, Center Back, Moved up from #17, day two was better than day one. FC Dallas needs a center back and Marshall has all the physical tools to play the pro game. I think if he is in a set system he can eliminate some of he errors that dropped his stock
15. New England: Peri Marosevic, Forward, Down from #12, Nicol might take a chance on this guy. Scored another goal today, and showed why he is so valuable. He is a scrappy player and can find the back of the net. It isn’t pretty, but he gets it done.
Second Round:
16. Seattle Sounders: Danny Cruz, Forward/Outside Mid, Up from #22. Sunday went a little better for Cruz, but still not great. He has a lot of energy, speed, and a powerful shot. He also doesn’t count against a teams salary cap space. Seattle is in need of another wide mid and you could do worse than Cruz.
17. San Jose: Michael Lahoud, Midfielder, has had an excellent combine up till now. Nothing extraordinary but is composed and looks ready for the pro game. He can play wide or centrally, which is a big plus.
18. NYRB from FC Dallas: George John, He is definitely raising his stock with this combine. He is a defensive center mid converted into a center back. He has excellent passing and understanding of the game. NY could use a holding mid and a center back so he would be a good little package for them.
19. Chivas USA: Jordan Seabrook, Forward, Up from #22, Looked good and should slowly move up the chart. Another solid day on Sunday.
20. Colorado Rapids: Joshua Boateng, Midfield/Forward from Liberty, wasn’t on anyone’s list until Saturday. Great moves, was beating people with and without the ball. Also has an excellent work rate. Sunday he showed up again with the same hunger and excitement. Got the best of Alston a few times.
21. DC United: Adjeman-Pamboe , Forward, is one of the top performers in the combine so far. He has tons of raw speed and great instincts. Still pretty raw, but a good prospect.
22. Kansas City: Qunicy Amarikwa, Forward, I dropped him after the first day, but he came roaring back with a brace on Sunday. Has tons of speed and will probably end up as a winger in MLS.
23. Kansas City: Anderi Gustamov, Creative Center Mid, down from #15, didn’t do enough on the first or second day to get into the first round.
24. New England: Graham Zusi, Attacking Center Mid, he has had a quiet Combine but should go in the second round.
25. New England: Graciano Brito, Forward
26. DC United: Jibe Ogunbiyi, Defender, Massive defender, will probably be taken as a project.
27. FC Dallas: Ryan Maxwell, Wide Mid, played at Tampa. He was beating Wallace all day with his speed. He might be a steal in the 3rd round if not taken in the second.
28. Chicago Fire: Matt Besler, Center Defender, probably the third if not second best Center back in the draft.
29. NYRB: Darius Barnes, Center Back, shuts down Zakuani on Sunday after a solid day on Saturday. He rounds out the list of the top center defenders in the draft.
30. Columbus Crew: Jean Alexandre, Holding Mid, he is catching the eye of many scouts with his play and size.