I select Josh Williams, CB of the Columbus Crew. Although I am concerned about his potential minutes this season, he is a solid player to get this late in the draft and I could use another CB. A steady and experienced reliable player and a solid distributor from the back, could also come in late during games to shut things down and provide an extra aerial presence late on. Could even start if I want to play three CB's, or if I want to move Sweat back to his natural LB position. @ChuckMe92 you are up
My 16th (I think) pick goes to Matthew Olosunde of Manchester United U23. The 6-foot-1 defender got a senior cap under Sarachan, is in contention for the upcoming Olympic cycle, and can give me cover at both FB and CB. He was out for a little while but is back in the squad for ManU U23s. I'm hoping for a loan to MLS, which has been rumored about him in the past. He won't come remotely close to panning out for ManU but I believe he has the ability to start for a needy team in MLS for this season (or the Championship next season). @zlebmada has the next two picks.
My 17th pick goes to SJ Earthquakes starting keeper J.T. Marcinkowski, who could very well be the starting US keeper in Olympic qualifying if Jonathan Klinsmann and Brady Scott (both already selected, so safe to name) aren't released by their European clubs. Some would rate Marcinkowski above those two even if they are all available. In 2018, Marcinkowski finished 10th best among MLS keepers in goals-against minus expected-goals-against, with my first keeper selection, Frei, ranking 1st. @Kevin8833 is on the clock. @zlebmada can still pick twice as well.
With my next pick I select Rodrigo Lopez, CM of Veracruz. Had a great season in the second division of Mexico last season with Celaya and got a move to Liga MX, his team May well get relegated but he is a consistent starter in a very good league. Plays as an 8, takes most of the set pieces for his team, has a great passing range, decent bite and mobility and can contribute on the score sheet as well. He has flown under the radar and is a little older now but based on club pedigree he could very well be national team worthy. López will add to my already midfield packed of little skillful guys @thedukeofsoccer you’re up!
Marco Farfan, fullback, Portland. Performed well whenever given starting opportunities for a club that's known to be one the less favorable ones to Americans in MLS. Similar situation to Jonathan Lewis. Unfortunately for Farfan, unlike Lewis didn't get that NT lifeline, even though he arguably plays even more of a need position considering Sweat and Lovitz have been the alternatives, plus he's a bit of a threat to jump ship to Mexico. Said he'd have accepted a call up a while back, but lately it's been all about the US national team as his goal if he can finally get his breakthrough as a regular starter at the club. Right now a US national teamer in Villafana stands in his way. If he were to beat him out, that would be a pretty straight-forward shot to the national team. So it's a double-edged sword. Attribute-wise, he's a savvy defender. Good 1 v. 1 and in help. Not a good athlete, but alright. Gritty competitor. Technically good, and knows when to play safe, but would be served on improving passing reads to keep possession better. That's something that can come with regular experience he hasn't gotten yet. Left-footedness always helps as an LB. Obviously is important for Berhalter. @Lookingforleftbacks you're up next.
I would’ve picked sooner but I may or may not be focusing on something else right now. And why the damn rams keep forcing It to Woods and Cooks instead of throwing to tight ends and running backs. And why the Patriots don’t just throw the ball 25x to Edelman. Thank you for reading my complaints. I’ll take Matt Hundley of Colorado. @Matthew Hartman is up
I'll take Victor Ulloa, a 26-yr-old central midfielder for FC Cincinnati. He was a regular starter for FC Dallas last year (ahead of my earlier pick Jacori Hayes, no less). Solid defensive midfielder. And I'll take Rubio Rubin, the 22-yr-old center forward/winger for Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico's second division. He was good enough to get USMNT call-ups from Sarachan and looked somewhere between Paul Arriola and Corey Baird in terms of danger posed from the wing, even though he couldn't get minutes in Tijuana last season. @Matthew Hartman is still on the clock
I'll take Jackson Yueill with my next pick. I picked JPT in the last round who was already selected so I'll take Trey Muse with that pick instead. @truefan420 @GiallorossiYank 1. Brooks 2. Dest 3. Arriola 4. Ebobisse 5. Baird 6. Busio 7. Villafaña 8. Derrick Jones 9. Brendan Aaronson 10. Hamid 11. Jaylin Lindsay 12. Donovan Pines 13. Dantouma Toure 14. Frankie Amaya 15. Cade Cowell 16. Jackson Yueill 17. Trey Muse
@AutoPenalti time is up. You can pick at any time. @IndividualEleven and I are proud to announce for our last field player... Harry Shipp Although, he hasn’t turned into a USMNT caliber player, he has still turned out to be a solid pro. He’s in his prime years. Plus, he plays in the midfield or up top where we will use him either as an 8, 10, or winger. @jond you’re up.
I'm taking John Tolkin and Evan Rotundo. Tolkin is a LB/CM with the NYRB academy. He's with the first team during the preseason and according to my guy Matt Hartman he's highly regarded in the RB system. Seems to be constantly improving. Rotundo has the potential to be one of the more gifted USYNT attackers in the last 3 cycles. He's been dominant in any competition he's played including DA, USYNT and with foreign elite camps and trials. He does have an EU passport so don't be surprised if we see Rotundo end up with a European giant soon. @ShaftBrewer
I'm too lazy to check who everyone has picked so I'll take a player that I'm sure no one has so far. Kevin Kelley from Sevilla @jond
We select Evan Bush to be our backup. He was amazing in that magical MTL run a couple years back in the CCL. Just resigned for 3 more in Montreal. He's made a really nice living for himself in MLS. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018...bush-signs-3-year-deal-remain-montreal-impact idk who is up tbh lol sorry