Who Should The Fire Draft?

[NotAbbott]

Okay, we may as well start talking about this to match up what we actually need to who's available next month. I'll excerpt my longer analysis (http://www.notabbott.com/archives/soccer/001847.html) with the top-level summary.

Roughly in order:


In the entirely unlikely event that there's an MLS-quality playmaking midfielder, we take him.
In the slightly less unlikely event there's a defender better than Evan Whitfield and C.J. Brown, we take him.
In the more likely event there is a quality right-sided midfielder, we take him.
If there is a defender better than Denny Clanton and Leonard Griffin, and ideally better than Kelly Gray, we take him.
If there is a goalie better than Matt Pickens, we take him.
If we draft another defensive midfielder of about the same quality as Pause and Beute, I'm going to start calling GM Peter Wilt "Crumbs," in honor of Jerry Krause, who never met a power forward he didn't like. Or didn't draft.


Post your thoughts about how I'm totally wrong, or who might fit some of these bills.

Later,
COZ

[Khan]

If either of these two are available and willing to come to Chicago, I like the idea of drafting Alex Yi and/or John Thorrington. Acquiring a player that has both professional and international experience would seem to be a good fit. This is particularly true, as the roster has so many players that are still trying to find their way in the league. [i.e. Mapp, Capano, Buete, Gray, Pause, Jaqua, Griffin, and Clanton...] Additionally, I believe Yi and Thorrington play positions of some need for the team.

Beyond that, I place my trust in our vaunted front office...

[Fanaddict]

If it means that the Fire would have enough money to get an attacking mid SI then in the draft we should go for p-40s.

Here is a link to the p-40s signed by MLS

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157792

[creative_destruction]

If it means that the Fire would have enough money to get an attacking mid SI then in the draft we should go for p-40s.

Here is a link to the p-40s signed by MLS

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157792What about this local boy?

M/F Quavas Kirk
6'1 165
04/13/88
Aurora, Ill

[murtaugh29]

We have two first round draft picks at least.

Of the current known crop of incoming players, we draft these guys as available (in order).

MF Danny O'Rourke (Indiana + Fire Reserves)
DF C.J. Klaas (Washington)
DF Drew Moor(Indiana + Fire Reserves)

[NotAbbott]

Where does O'Rourke play in the midfield? I'm probably with you on Klaas or Moor.

Later,
COZ

[bing1985]

Where does O'Rourke play in the midfield? I'm probably with you on Klaas or Moor.

Later,
COZ
I watched the NCAA final and was impressed with O'Rourke - but I'm surprised to see him listed as a mid - I would have sworn he was a defender. More warrior than technical skill - not sure that type of player isn't more of a liability at professional speed. Anyway, if we don't take him first, I imagine Columus probably will grab him as he's a local boy.

Anyways, COZ, in answer to your question - I believe he's a D-Mid. So if you and Crumbs want to sign him, you go ahead... :D

[Chicago1871]

I watched the NCAA final and was impressed with O'Rourke - but I'm surprised to see him listed as a mid - I would have sworn he was a defender. More warrior than technical skill - not sure that type of player isn't more of a liability at professional speed. Anyway, if we don't take him first, I imagine Columus probably will grab him as he's a local boy.

Anyways, COZ, in answer to your question - I believe he's a D-Mid. So if you and Crumbs want to sign him, you go ahead... :D
O'Rourke has impressed everytime I've seen him play. He is a Chris Armas-type player if there ever was one. His technical skill might be better than Armas', that said he isn't the most technical guy on the field, but it is his heart that makes up for the difference. I have been far more impressed watching O'Rourke than Pause. However, NCAA is not MLS and it is anyone's guess if he will be able to compete here. If the Fire were to take him Pause and Buete would have to go.

Personally I think the Fire need at least one outside back and a forward.

[murtaugh29]

If the Fire were to take him Pause and Buete would have to go.And? :)

He's probably the most MLS-ready midfielder in the draft. If he is available at 3 we take him, and pick up Klaas lower in the first round (who is local, will likely still be there and would work in a 3-4-3 system as an ouside back).

Please note, though I was the guy who believed there was no way we wouldn't end up with Mike Magee (well, while B.O.B. was here) and there was no way we wouldn't draft Ned Grabavoy (let alone pass him up 3 or times for at least Scott Buete and Leo Griffin).

[Greddy]

What about this local boy?

M/F Quavas Kirk
6'1 165
04/13/88
Aurora, Ill

Here's a picture of him.
http://picsrv.ussoccer.com/fif=/ussf/img_6_2729.fpx&obj=iip,1.0&wid=341&hei=512&bgc=254,254,254&rgn=0,0,0,0&cvt=jpeg

From what I've read, he could be a very good player. Now that we're going to have a reserve squad, I'd love to see us pick up a hot young prospect.

[murtaugh29]

Something the added roster slots/reserve league + the shorter draft will allow for is the direct signing of guys on the Fire Reserves/Amateur team. The hot prospects will go in the draft and we may/may not end up with them, but anyone who isn't that has played with the PDL team and worked in our system and with our coaches should have a better shot at getting a developmental spot than others.

[Khan]

Did PW make mention of this topic at the event last week?

[Chicago1871]

And? :)
No 'and then!'

[ButlerBob]

And? :)

He's probably the most MLS-ready midfielder in the draft. If he is available at 3 we take him, and pick up Klaas lower in the first round (who is local, will likely still be there and would work in a 3-4-3 system as an ouside back).

Please note, though I was the guy who believed there was no way we wouldn't end up with Mike Magee (well, while B.O.B. was here) and there was no way we wouldn't draft Ned Grabavoy (let alone pass him up 3 or times for at least Scott Buete and Leo Griffin).


I think that Klass would great pick up. Although I have heard that he's getting married in the spring so this may effect where he wants to play.

[bing1985]

Something the added roster slots/reserve league + the shorter draft will allow for is the direct signing of guys on the Fire Reserves/Amateur team. The hot prospects will go in the draft and we may/may not end up with them, but anyone who isn't that has played with the PDL team and worked in our system and with our coaches should have a better shot at getting a developmental spot than others.
Is it realistic to think we could get this quality of player for a reserve/amateur squad? I'm not asking this rhetorically - I have no idea what, if any, comp package the reserves will see (the amateur tag implies a big fat zero). A top P-40 guy will get a paid contract from somebody, yes? Maybe I misunderstand you, murtaugh.

[murtaugh29]

I think that Klass would great pick up. Although I have heard that he's getting married in the spring so this may effect where he wants to play.He's from Rockford.

[murtaugh29]

Is it realistic to think we could get this quality of player for a reserve/amateur squad? I'm not asking this rhetorically - I have no idea what, if any, comp package the reserves will see (the amateur tag implies a big fat zero). A top P-40 guy will get a paid contract from somebody, yes? Maybe I misunderstand you, murtaugh.You did...

What I was saying is the PDL team uses top talent from national college teams and additional local college players in the summertime of their college years. They train in the Fire system and under Fire coaching and under the Fire name.

When they leave college, they enter the draft. Inevitably, the cream will be drafted by the Fire or other MLS teams. But in reducing the draft to 4 rounds a guy who played on the PDL team that may have been drafted in round 5 or 6 by another club, a guy who knows our system, has the ability to now sign a professional developmental contract like we offer already directly with the Fire and play regularly in the reserve league and continue to devlop and perhaps contribute more directly to the first team than he would have by entering another club's system.

I think most of the misunderstanding people have is the naming scheme. It would be advantageous to rename the PDL team and use a more descriptive name for the squad that plays in the MLS reserve league.

Maybe this:
Chicago Fire (first team)
Chicago Fire B (reserve squad)
Chicago Fire Amateur (PDL team)
Chicago Fire Juniors U23 (youth first team)
etc...

[foosball]

And? :)

He's probably the most MLS-ready midfielder in the draft. If he is available at 3 we take him, and pick up Klaas lower in the first round (who is local, will likely still be there and would work in a 3-4-3 system as an ouside back).

Please note, though I was the guy who believed there was no way we wouldn't end up with Mike Magee (well, while B.O.B. was here) and there was no way we wouldn't draft Ned Grabavoy (let alone pass him up 3 or times for at least Scott Buete and Leo Griffin).

As an IU fan,I hope your wish list of O'Rourke,Moor and Klaas comes true.As a Fire fan,however I have to wonder if the team couldn't fill other needs rather than draft Danny to a position that is three or four deep on the roster already(D-mid).If the team would have followed MY draft plan,they would have Grabavoy waiting in the wings for the A-mid spot,wouldn't have Buete and would jump in and draft O'Rourke this year.But Dave didn't call me strangely enough.

[foosball]

I watched the NCAA final and was impressed with O'Rourke - but I'm surprised to see him listed as a mid - I would have sworn he was a defender. More warrior than technical skill - not sure that type of player isn't more of a liability at professional speed. Anyway, if we don't take him first, I imagine Columus probably will grab him as he's a local boy.

Anyways, COZ, in answer to your question - I believe he's a D-Mid. So if you and Crumbs want to sign him, you go ahead... :D

Your belief is correct.He is a "classic" D-mid/destroyer.Much bigger than Armas at 6'/170.Great ball winner and distributor.Heart of a (two time)champion.But as Coz points out he would give us a glut at d-mid while other areas would still be lacking.
Anybody hear if PW pulled off the Pause,Dipsy,Beute and Gray for Magee,Parke,Pope and Vaca trade yet?!

[Marchetti]

The Fire should draft CJ Klass. He is a top-notch defender. He has excelled at all levels, including youth titles with the Chicago Magic, and playing for the US U-20 side at last years World Youth Championship in UAE. With the dismal year Gray had, and with Brown getting older, Klass would be a perfect fit. He's local too (well... Rockford is at least in the same state as Chicago), and he might bring more fans to the stadium, although I realize that is not the major criteria for drafting him. He is a solid, well-built, professional defender though... and he will surely solidify the Fire backline.