Well since no one has started one here is a draft only thread. We can chat about those who will be making the trip to Philly and Uniteds picks. United's Picks : Round 1 Pick 1 Round 3 Pick 18 (Pick acquired from RSL in the Brandon McDonald trade (Jul 2013) Round 4 Pick 12 (Pick acquired from New England in the Charlie Davies deal (Aug 2013)
Starting to get excited for this - doesn't the Combine start any second now? Wish I could have gone to the draft this year. Always fun to see who passes out, who tries to start a fight with Metro fans, and always enjoyable to be shushed at by the league brass who invited you for the passion but want to hear none of it, it is most fun to ignore them and/or point out their hypocrisy Has anyone officially stepped up to @JoeSoccerFan babysitting duty? That's where the real action is
The Combine starts tomorrow. They play games Friday, Sunday and Tuesday, with Saturday and Monday scheduled as days to interview with teams.
JSF used to go down and post his impressions online, but I haven't heard if he's going. @JoeSoccerFan ?
Someone from United goes to this thing, right? They need to at least try and get someone decent from the 3rd and 4th pick.
Practically a glamour shot I'd say. Maybe if we station her just right she can mesmerize the staff at the other team's tables with her hands while they waste their clock time...
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/molly-bruh/21/85b/ba1 We kid because we love. Keep up the good work Ms. Bruh.
Since "digit" comes from the Latin word for fingers (and toes), I think Ms. Bruh's position is aptly named. Watching her hands/fingers flail during an interview either hypnotizes me or makes me nauseous.
http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/2014-mls-superdraft-mock-draft-v20_aid32378 Their last two drafts both had DCU taking Cal Defender Steve Birnbaum number one overall. They also had Maryland Forward Patrick Mullins at No.5 with FC Dallas and No.7 Vancouver respectively. What would you trade to acquire either of those picks if Mullins is your guy? DCU's 2015 and '16 first rounders? DCU's 2015 first rounder and Allocation money? What do you think?
Birnbaum is the safe pick, but in the end, you need to have some idea of what resources the team is willing to utilize. If I knew we had no plans to sign more offensive weapons this offseason (internationals or from within the league), I would say Mullins is the guy. If we were looking at another big, or perhaps bigger, name signing at the Wing/Midfield this offseason, then Birnbaum is a no brainer to me. The Superdraft is somewhat of a crapshoot, and if we're better next year, the odds are very low it will be due to whatever selection we make.
Birnbaum is the safe pick, a ready to start, as they say, CB who can organize the backline and contribute on set pieces on the other end of the field; a huge plus there. I'm just intrigued with the thought of having a young versital finisher drop down to the fifth thru seventh spots and not try and trade to get that selection. Yes his salary will be high for a rookie but if the staff likes him, go get him.
If he drops that low, trade allocation money for the pick. I'm absolutely positive at least one of Philly, Vancouver, Columbus, or FCD would love to have extra cash to drop on a foreign player.
Birnbaum is the smart pick based on his comparative readiness and our needs as a team. Given we've proven terrible at finding, signing, and keeping quality backs of any stripe once the preseason starts, he's almost a necessity. The question is, do Kasper and Olsen have the balls of steel required to not pick a two-time Hermann trophy winner out of our very back yard? I'm intrigued by Mullins, too. If either Espindola or Pappa were really opposed to being here, and we could parlay their rights/pick into a legit starting back trade (probably throwing in Townsend), that would go a long way towards justifying picking Mullins, IMO. I'm skeptical he'll drop past the second pick in any case.
I really like Birnbaum based upon his play prior to his injury. He has a nasty streak and a determined work ethic. But, the big question is can he stay healthy. No one can say for sure - but it's a contributing risk of taking him first.
They need offense. Ownby and Ngwenya rare headed to Pittsburgh. They may have Townsend and Seaton (if United can find strikers elsewhere -- Espindola and Mullins). Also Nate Robinson tore his ACL training in Europe or something....so, they could use a winger.
Based on the Combine performance so far, I guess we wouldn't have a shot, but I think United ought to take a look at Rafael Diaz, St. John's goalie. Apparently, he was fantastic on Day 1 and he has the biggest vertical leap there. Sounds more like a future starter than either of our current back-ups. If he slips to the back end of the third round, he would merit consideration, notwithstanding all the talk about the team's needs at other positions.
Too bad that he's not a good GK. He's a sensational athlete but makes too many mistakes (both physical and mental). I'd try and trade for Ryan Meara (NYRB) if we think that Bill may be leaving.