I really miss the streaming matches from the Combine. That really had me interested in the Superdraft last year. I don't really follow college soccer, and that was a good way to get up to speed. I guess we'll just have to rely on others opinions and a few clips this time. Most of these mock drafts are useless, especially the early ones.
Simon Borg tweeted that it had to do with the times the games were playing. They'd be competing with European games on Saturday mornings, and the other games are weekday mornings. But, Borg does often say some pretty stupid stuff...
I've read a lot about this guy and I could see us going for him if he didn't have to take up an international spot.
Jason Saghini, mlssoccer.com's video editor mentioned that it's due to a poor following over the last two years. He blames lack of demand. The interesting part is that I remember watching one game last year and they blamed the frequent lag on the high number of people streaming the match. Hmm... They also streamed the games from the Tucson tournament. I hope this doesn't mean that's off the table as well.
MLS preview of RSL's draft interests is up - http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft...salt-lake-superdraft-preview-finding-help-top Interesting that they don't list JJ Johnson in the forwards list. Wonder if that is because of Johnson's weak showing at camp or do they have more details on RSL coaches activities and interest at the combine? They must also assume Manneh will be gone by our #12 pick comes around, since he's They've got left back as the third interest area. I would think attacking mid could be the other area - I think assuming Viana is the only backup there is premature. They show Gil on the flank mid role now, not the #10 from last year.
Yeah, I'm actually bummed that Manneh had such a good combine...now he's on everyone's radar. Yesterday an anonymous GM called him "by far the most exciting player at the combine." Before the combine I heard he might fall as far as #20. Now every team is on him like a dog on a rib roast and I think he's gone in the top 10 for sure. RSL may end up settling for Finley.
Its going to be rough to have Finley and Findley playing for RSL. I would think that with Jamaican Andy Williams as the head of domestic scouting that any Reggae boy in the draft will be target numero uno.
Ives reported again today that RSL is looking to move up in the draft. I can't recall if he was the source of that comment the other time, or if this is a second outlet reporting the same thing.
I'm sure it'd be to improve the odds on getting a Generation Adidas striker - e.g. Manneh, Johnson, Zavaleta or Brown. Almost all projections show none of them will likely make it to #12, getting snapped up by ~#10. I think RSL's experience with Gil will have them interested in good players for 'free' with the GA status.
I know from a previous discussion that RSL really likes Zavaleta (former RSL-AZ academy product), but then again who doesn't like him? Also, keep in mind that Garth's philosophy is not to draft for position through the draft, but to always pick the best available player.
A combo up front of a yet to be named Columbian/international striker 1. Sabo 2. Findley 3. And a generation Adidas striker in the four slot would be interesting.
If RSL is looking to move up, then Garth must have his sights on a particular player then. Interesting.
Some because RSL offers them the Min. wage and they know the wont even get close to being in the frist 18 for 2 to 3 years, the way JK runs the team. One more RSL is not LA.
Garth just taught me two things about GA I didn't know...thought I'd share it with you all: 1. RSL's supplemental roster (i.e. the part that doesn't count against the cap) is currently full. GA players automatically go to the supplemental roster, so if RSL picks a GA player in the draft, it would bump a salaried player onto the senior roster and the player would count against the cap. So drafting a GA player provides no advantage to RSL vs. drafting a non-GA...so he said GA status won't be a consideration for the draft. 2. When a player graduates from GA (like Luis Gil just did), his full salary doesn't immediately go onto the books. Apparently the league subsidizes it for some period (he didn't say how much or how long) to ease the "sticker shock" of a well-paid GA player suddenly going on the books.
IBIK - great info. Two things - I don't recall seeing any official statement on that Luis' 'graduation' from GA, so that's the first confirmation of that rumor I've seen. If he has graduated, who took his spot - Attinella? Salcedo?