We know we will have a very high pick. One way to keep my mind positive on Rapids is the talent they could add via here. Since recent draft history has shown more bang for the pick with Defenders, I think Rapids should go that way. My early leader, who has shown ability to play all positions on back-line: D Walker Zimmerman (Needs to sign a GA deal to be available) Article on top College players: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/mls-prospecting:-week-1_aid25020 Generation adidas Candidates GK Andre Blake, Connecticut (Sophomore): The goalkeeper is a tremendous prospect, and while a GA deal is likely something of a long shot, Blake has the potential and ability to catch the eye of scouts. He’ll look to lead the Huskies on a deep run this year. F Mamadou Doudou Diouf, Connecticut (Junior): The charmingly named striker knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. Diouf’s main detractor is the school that he attends. The UCONN Huskies rarely see players leave the campus early for Generation adidas deals. MF Mikey Lopez, North Carolina (Sophomore): A deep-lying midfielder with plenty of ability on the ball, Lopez could see his stock rise if he can help UNC cope with a number of absences. MF/F Dylan Mares, Louisville (Sophomore): There’s no doubting the quality of a player like Mares, but he has a lot to prove after missing the entire 2011 season with an ACL injury. A big year could perhaps land him a GA deal. D Eric Miller, Creighton (Sophomore): The industrious right back might see time in the middle for the Bluejays this year, but he certainly has a chance to take a leadership role after Creighton lost a number of key players at the back. If he makes a strong mark on this season, combined with his experience with the U20s, he’ll attract GA interest. F Patrick Mullins, Maryland (Junior): The former ACC Freshman of the Year has the ability to play professionally – it’s just a question of when and where. A Louisiana native, the Chicago Fire have a Home Grown claim on him that might fall under dispute if he has a strong season on a good Terps team and attracts the eye of other MLS clubs. F Steve Neumann, Georgetown (Junior): The slashing forward will certainly come under consideration if he has another strong season. Scored 11 goals, added 7 assists in 2011. MF Pedro Ribeiro, Coastal Carolina (Junior): A tall attacking midfield, Ribeiro is quality and offers a physical presence that would suit MLS. Would need to have a massive season in order to generate enough interest. F Mark Sherrod, Memphis (Junior): Sherrod burst onto the scene last fall with a breakout performance for the Memphis Tigers. This summer, he continued the hype with a strong showing in the PDL with the Portland Timbers U23 team. He is a target forward who can operate by himself – surprisingly, those are becoming increasingly rare. D Walker Zimmerman, Furman (Sophomore): The defender, who could probably slip into any spot across the backline, is going to be on the watch list for many MLS teams. He has good size, good athleticism, and he has a decent enough touch for the professional level. Experience with the U.S. U20 MNT will only help showcase his abilities for potentially making the early jump to MLS.
I really have little knowledge in this area, so thanks a bunch for all the great info. on these prospects. I can't help wondering if getting a young, promising forward isn't a smart move. I suppose it's a bigger chance with that kinda choice, but with Casey's new injury-prone condition and an underperforming Cummings, I don't see Cascio and Hill picking up all the slack.
I have never given that much attention to the MLS draft for various reasons, so help me out here please. Given that the Rapids have generally been very middle of pack standing wise and also they seem to have an eagerness to trade their draft picks for players,etc. so I may not have noticed before, but does a lower overall finish really give an MLS team higher picks, ala NFL?
Correct, last place gets first pick in superdraft. Also believe they get first pick in all the little drafts we have, released player one, allocation picks, etc.
After stewing on San Jose so dominating us in the air and the season long problem on set-plays. It seems to me we need to find a new starting CB who excels in the air to pair with Wynne. I don't see us going away from playing a high defensive line so we will always need Wynne's pace to chase down the "over the top balls". Not sure where this leaves Moor, I am not a fan of him out wide but he can fill any position on backline if he can accept a move to bench.
Kind of interesting comment from de Bontin who, supposedly, will have nothing to do with who stays on the team and who doesn't. Personally, I applaud the statement, and hope Redbulls live up to it (I was born & raised in Europe but think there is a huge talent pool here that often is sold short). “I think there’s real value in our players going onto college, playing sports, getting an education and in the end they may mature slower than the European counterparts, but we have plenty of examples of players who have gone on to have great careers who did play in college. Therefore, I think the draft should be a greater focus on our part for years to come.” Source: http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2012/10/new-red-bulls-gm-de-bontin-focus-rba-attendance
Little of both. I'm not sure JL fits in this system and has had a down year, but coaching is obviously a problem. If the Rapids can get good value I'd trade JL this offseason,
would love to pick up a 6'3 6'5 pure stopper and physical presence player in the draft. someone like rannochia great ball control and passing for a center back but physical and amazing in the air.
#3 Kyle Venter is a former Real Colorado player. He was also named on the top 19 players by MLS http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/10/10/mls-campus-top-19-superdraft-prospects #7 Taylor Kemp is also a former Real Colorado player. Both were named nominees for the 2012 MAC Herman Trophy
Rannochia from Inter Milan? He seemed to be the leaky part of their D whenever he got time, and given how long they rode Samuel and Lucio, they seemed to agree.
Didn't know that about Venter, I do like Kemp but outside backs out of college have done terrible in MLS. Maybe he will fall to second round so we might take a chance. Anyways I hope he has a great career.
yes the guy from inter! he has alot of medicore games but inter sold lucio and his playing again and his been playing really really really well i think his still under 26. i never seen a center back with so much ball control and ablility to play the ball long like him. only other center back i can recall is bonucci from juve
I'll have to check him out this year. I haven't seen much of Inter this year but I just got beIN. The funny thing about guys like that...if you could find one cheap enough to bring to MLS, with his ball skills they'd probably push him up the field. What would David Luiz be in MLS, an attacking mid or a striker?
david luiz and thiago silva are the pinical of what i think a box to box midfielder should be lol! problem with cheap big guys is they lack intelligence in real life or football haha be intresting to see what we bring in.
For what its worth- MLS soccer ranks top 19 players for draft: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/10/10/mls-campus-top-19-superdraft-prospects
Another site looks at College Prospects, not sure how much value these have until season is over. http://wvhooligan.com/2012/10/15/14840/early-look-at-2013-superdraft-prospects/
So, last year's #5 pick was Casey Townsend, F, by Chivas. Played 900 minutes, 10 starts, 1 goal. Not as good a pick as Cascio at #14. 2012 from 5 - 13: SJE Sam Garza F DCU Nick DeLeon M POR Andrew Jean-Baptiste D CHI Austin Berry D CLB Ethan Finlay F FCD Matt Hedges D TFC Aaron Maund D PHI Chandler Hoffman None of the forwards in this group have made an impact, but Rookie of the Year candidate Nick DeLeon, and some Defenders of the Year candidates are in there.