[Baysider]

Time to get ready for the draft! Here is some basic information for those who have not been following closely (what, you are not obsessing about it like I am?)

MLS Combine: Jan 5-8

MLS Draft: Jan 12

Our Picks

1st round, pick 5 (overall)
1st round, pick 10
2nd round, pick 16
2nd round, pick 20
2nd round, pick 23
4th round, pick 44
4th round, pick 45

Although I think there is a chance that we may end up trading away some picks if we try to get another Beckham exemption.

3rd Degree’s position reviews

Keepers

Defenders

Midfielders: to come
Forwards: to come

He also has ESPN articles, although the 3rd degree links are better as they are updated as things change, particularly as the Generation Addidas class is added.

[Baysider]

What do we know about the Galaxy’s plans? Not a lot.

Paul Bravo, in the Tutino interview, said that we were looking at a speed forward; someone who we could bring in late in the game to attack tired defenders. He mentioned Robbie Findley specifically. I’m a little surprised by this, as we already have some fast forwards on the bench (Glen, Glinton), so take it for what it’s worth. He also mentioned looking for versatile defenders along the line of Roberts.

Interestingly, he did not mention midfielders, our obvious need. This may just be Yallop not wanting to tip his hand before the draft. Of course, our midfield situation is still in flux. I hear that we are interested in some English guy.

There have been reports of two players trialling

Andrew Konopelsky

4) Where on the field do you feel most comfortable?

Although I have played almost every position, I feel the most comfortable in an attacking mid- field role. My strengths are my ability to create scoring opportunities as well as hard working mid-field mentality.

John Cunliffe

The soccer superstar from Fort Lewis College sampled his skills for Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy the last two weekends in California, and the result: "He did really well," said his collegiate coach, Jeremy Gunn. "I'd say out of 50 players (at the tryouts), he was in the top two."

[JZUA2003]

I'm really hot on Ricky Schramm from Georgetown. I know that the Galaxy could use some depth at the forward position. He's a big time player who will be a steal in the later rounds if he doesn't go earlier.

[Geneva]

Buzz's list for midfielders just came out:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...ot=mls&cc=5901

Buzz says midfield is a strength of the draft, but if it's just me the list doesn't look too impressive. I haven't seen any of these guys play much, though, so my impressions aren't worth much. But #4 Colaluca in the NCAA finals - he played awful & conducted himself worse. He can't have converted too many MLS scouts to his cause that day. Ashe & Dalby we all saw with the U-whatever nats, but they both have athletic deficits. Maybe Ashe will be the next Cobi, but on the left!

[The Cadaver]

I have watched Edu, the Maryland defensive midfielder, and I think Buzz is right to give him props. He does resemble Sharlie Joseph in his play. Unfortunately, defensive mid is not exactly our weakest point.

[Sean...]

If we're looking at replacements for Cobi, I think Corey Ashe from UNC would be a candidate for pace alone, or maybe Byrne from UCSB.

Is it just me or does this seem like a really undersized list of midfielders, and by undersized I'm referring to their height, 5-8? One was even referred to as a tweener! I'd say 5-10 is the minimum height you would want for a midfielder, especially a defensive midfielder.

[Baysider]

Originally Posted by JZUA2003

I'm really hot on Ricky Schramm from Georgetown. I know that the Galaxy could use some depth at the forward position. He's a big time player who will be a steal in the later rounds if he doesn't go earlier.

Hi Ricky, welcome to BigSoccer

Since Schramm is not on the combine invite list he is unlikely to go early. In fact, he might not make the draft-eligible list at all. Supplemental draft picks tend to be local, so I would expect him to go to DC or NY rather than LA.

[Baysider]

Originally Posted by Sean...

Is it just me or does this seem like a really undersized list of midfielders, and by undersized I'm referring to their height, 5-8? One was even referred to as a tweener! I'd say 5-10 is the minimum height you would want for a midfielder, especially a defensive midfielder.

Yeah, American midfielders tend to be small since most kids with both size and athleticism tend to play other sports. The two players with some size are the holding midfielders, Edu and Dalby, but as the Cadaver says, its not really our need.

There will be some additions to the midfield list once the GA class is determined. My extremely early and highly speculative guess of who I would pick is Zizzo at 5 (if he lasts that long) and Jones or Sambursky at 10.

[Sean...]

Originally Posted by Baysider

There will be some additions to the midfield list once the GA class is determined. My extremely early and highly speculative guess of who I would pick is Zizzo at 5 (if he lasts that long) and Jones or Sambursky at 10.

Once again, I completely forget about Zizzo.

I agree with you on that, Zizzo should be our #1 priority when it comes to midfielders.

[jscott23]

Originally Posted by Sean...

Once again, I completely forget about Zizzo.

I agree with you on that, Zizzo should be our #1 priority when it comes to midfielders.

Word out of UCLA (and a family member) is that he is not coming out early for the MLS draft. Too bad because he is a natural to replace Cobi on the right.