Alert: MLS COMBINE, DRAFT and TRADE discussions [as well as academy talk]

I created this thread more to do with the draft. Im assuming a lot of people are not really interested because either

1. We only have one pick, at 17th overall.
2. The Draft class isnt up to ones expectations.
3. They were never really interested in this kind of talk

Anyway, there's been talk of us drafting a Left-back [mentioned in the offseason thread] between Kemp and Nealis. What do you guys think of this? Do you think we should be looking at other positions, or trading the pick?

Whic prospect interest you the most?

not trying to be a dick... but why not just do this in the other thread?

That would be one big thread for a bunch of info, that would probably be hard to find or too much to read through.

I like the thread. The other one can get a little cluttered with multiple conversations

Personally I wish someone would of started a Rafael thread.

I won't do it because I don't want to be booed out of the building

Here's hoping our scouting works out and we find a steal with one of our Supplemental Draft picks.

Uwem Etuk played in our academy. He's a LM/LB from WVA, but maybe not top 20 material. Top 30 according to SBI.

Thx,

Jay!

The draft is pretty deep at LB, so it would make sense to target one. Woolard is the only actual LB on the roster; everyone else (Korb, Neal) is played out of position to provide cover. Korb is a natural RB and should be Najar's backup, as Russell is showing his age and should be played only when it is absolutely necessary. Neal is best used as LM and/or CM coverage and is pretty mediocre when played in the back.

To me, the pick is a no-brainer. The only question is who to get. Kemp has better offensive traits while Nealis is better defensively. Kindle would be my third choice if either of the above went earlier than expected. The one big dilemma we have with drafting a LB is where that would leave Foss. He got plenty of time with the reserve team and seems to fit Olsen's vision of backs that can bomb forward when given the time and opportunity.

I could also see us trying to move forward for an MLS-ready senior like Powers or Stertzer, players that are going to go all out for 90 minutes going box to box. Allocation money could move us higher in the draft, as would trading some of our younger, unproven players (Shanosky in particular).

I don't think we go after a top-ranked forward, but could see us possibly going after one in the supplementary draft. Signing Rafael and Seat on gives us quite a bit of youth up top, so any forward we pick would probably be with an eye towards converting him to a wide midfield or back position.

good point.. also i opened the rafael thread... ill take the heat

Where's Joe Soccer Fan? He's usually very active here around this time and I think just about everyone values his insight greatly.

asitis

Joe could probably be talked into providing his insights here -- he's still watching a lot of college ball and evaluating players -- but he was so angry at the league over what happened with the Jersey playoff tie that he's backed off paying attention to MLS, so he stopped coming around these parts.

That's too bad. I hope that he'll come back to the DC boards and post. If he wants to love DCU, but hate MLS, that's alright by me. There are a lot of members of that group here already.

Also, I thought someone might finally be paying him for his insights, instead of him giving it away for free.

Thx,

Jay!

Great post.

Ives' third mock draft has us taking the first LB of this draft, Kemp. I haven't seen any college soccer this year, so I'll have to see what we can get. If Kemp, Nealis or the other highly rated LB can be relied upon in the next two seasons, they draft one, if not get best player available.

I will say I've been pleased with our draft picks that last few years.

And, the fact that DCU didn't sign him means either they're not interested in him, or he's not interested in them.

As for left backs, I've been questioning Kemp since his miserable showing against G'town. Everyone's allowed an off-day, but he's getting very mixed reviews in his day one Combine effort. Kindle sounds more promising, but one wonders how much United knows about him. Still. they did pluck Pontius from the UC system. I wouldn't rule out the team picking sa striker or midfielder if a really good one slips down there, but left back seems a reasonable plan. As for Foss, that's still a few years away. Worry about that when the time comes. We should have a new stadium long before Foss suits up to start in an MLS game

I also wouldn't hesitate to move Korb to RB even though Jalen Robinson might be ready to play in VW Field at PEPCO Park by 2016.

I hope they go with a winger, if a good one drops to them (Ryan Hollingshead - UCLA, Blakc Smith - New Mexico).
They have a good number of fullbacks to choose from (Woolard, Korb, Najar, Russell, White, Neal and even Thorrington), but fewer wing options (Pontius, DeLeon, Najar, Neal and Thorrington). I also expect Korb to become a top 10 type of full back in the league this year.
Maybe a left back is available with the supplemental, or a center back.

Hollingshead is rumored to be skipping a soccer career to do missionary work. I like Blake Smith, but he looks like a better fit for a tricky 4-3-3 rather than a high pressure 4-2-3-1. I think winger depth is a concern, but I think the team is more likely to address it via a foreign acquisition or USL player considering the severe lack of outside options(excluding LBs) in the draft.

Toronto might trade there pick.

Does anyone see any potential deals with these guys?

De Rosario? We continue to pay a percentage of De Ro's salary so Toronto can squeeze him in under the DP limit. In return we get a 1st pick that would be an off budget generation Adidas player. Maybe a little allocation money too.



Now with Payne and Nelsen in charge in Toronto, I can see there being a good trade relationship between the 2 clubs.

Jakovic and allocation money for #3 pick and a player?

No thank you..

Allocation money is today's gold - trading that (and the ability to pay down your DP salaries) would not be a good idea considering United doesn't have that much.

I'd be sad to see Dejan go. He'd be irreplaceable in the short term. The partnership and results he got with McDonald down the stretch would be almost impossible to improve on.

But in the long term? I'd take Ashtone Morgan off their hands and one of their picks could be one of the top CBs in the draft (Farrell or Zimmermann).

Revs send No. 4 pick, allocation money to Toronto for first overall selection
http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/2013-superdraft

Chivas USA's new HC said he was selecting UConn's midfeilder at number 2 in draft.

Im not on top of things like @JoeSoccerFan , but from the games I've watched, and the combine there are a lot of directions we could go.

Even at 17th, we could still land a decent player.

Blake Smith, a winger to challenge De Leon. There's another left winger, Donnie Smith I think? Reports suggest he's a classic winger up the line and cross.

Dillon Powers to partner Kitchen, and make De Rosario's job a lot easier. IE not having to drop too deep to help retain possesion and create. Might be a big ask for a rookie.

The Maryland CM, I think its Sterzter. I've seen him play quite a lot since at Maryland.

Then the obvious LB. Im not sure about the other options outside of NEalis and Kemp.

"At No. 17, we will take the best player available," Kasper said. "If it fits a more pressing need for cover, that's great. That's not going to be a main item with this draft for us."
http://washingtonexaminer.com/not-a-lot-changing-with-roster-for-d.c.-united/article/2518829

From MLSsoccer.com: