Ives has his final mock draft up. He still has the Red Bulls picking Opara at the #2, however he now throws in that the Red Bulls might be thinking Tchani also: If the Red Bulls pass on Tchani ata the #2, he has Dallas taking him witht the #5. He also has this to say (on his Tchani comments): Regarding Duka, he has this to say: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/01/sbi-2010-mls-mock-draft-version-30.html
They are just projections, from people with limited scouting talent that don't really know the players they are drafting. Osorio didn't know anything about Hall until they sat next to each other on a plane. NY knows everything about Duka, if they like what they have seen the reduction of risk is signifigant with the pick. Half the time in the draft these teams are not even really that sure what they drafted until they get them to camp. He already singed a contract with MLS, what is there to overpay? Unless you speak of opportunity costs, but there are to many unknown varibales with alternative picks to make that argument. What is this "help right away" fallacy. The kid is 20 not 16. Opara rates well but he looked like shit to most observers of the U-20 WC and College Cups, maybe he just hade a bad few weeks...or maybe he relies too much on athetisisim and is a player that can get exposed at higher levels? Bottom line is they need to find a way to walk out of this draft with Duka and Van den Bergh.
considering we have the 2, 14, 18 picks (and more) as well as allocation cash/cap space I'd hope we come out of this thing with a bigger haul. certainly acquire a vet and 2 impact rookies...
Interview with Bright Dike (F) & Michael Thomas (MF) from the University of Notre Dame by Shawn Francis. http://mlsinsiderblog.com/?p=736 Neither is projected by Ives to be selected in the top 32 but still interesting to see some of the players. And here's a preview of the first game, Team F50i v Team Condivo: http://mlsinsiderblog.com/?p=734 Interesting read and has some info on the players interviewed in the link above: I wouldn't be upset if we took Dike if he's available at pick #34, #48 or #50. He's big and strong and if he can show some ball control and good Soccer IQ he would be a good target forward for us, since we really don't have 1. Plus he has a cool name
In principle, I agree that if you want the player, go get him. In'sha Allah. But the Red Bulls don't have the luxury of just throwing away picks. If there are better players to be had, then, "Sorry Dilly." You go after the better player. Yes, if you if leave better talent on the board to draft the local guy, you are wasting picks. If Red Bull were a perennial title chaser with a deep squad, that would be a justifiable position; but I sure didn't see enough from Duka to say he is clearly a better player than anyone else available. But that's what you're saying by suggesting the Bulls take him with the second pick.
well, it sure seems like soler is in a no win situation with the #2 pick. whether it's duka, opara, or tchani, lots of supporters will complain that they didn't select one of the others.
Should NYRB want to keep Opara at #2 and still try to get Duka, they could try to package the #14 and #18 for Columbus' #8. In a deep draft, having #12, #14 and #18 would be good for Columbus. For a team with a lot of needs, I still think the better approach would be #2 to FCD for #5 and #6 and keep the other picks to load up on talent in a deep draft.
Not necessarily if, he come public why he will skip Duka for another, like say, That he will pick Opara because is in negotiation with a super CAM as a DP and that's why he will prefer a defender that we need too....
At 6'1" and 235lbs, he's got some serious fitness training in his future if he wants to play pro soccer. And put down that pizza, boy!
hey metz. hope you're feeling good (i remember you have severe arthritic pain). i don't totally disagree, but what good does it do soler to let that info out until a signing is imminent? the only way i see a definitively positive opinion of his performance in this draft is if he manages to pull off a trade that either moves down to 5 and 6 or moves back up into the top 10. considering he has never been part of a draft before, i can't imagine him having the savvy to pull of a really good trade his first time. i hope i'm wrong!
That's what he gets paid the big bucks for. Go with the small kid from Jersey in Duka or go with the giant from UVA in Tchani. Either way it would be foolish for anyone to make snap judgements on how well or poorly he did until after these players have had at least one season played in MLS. Now if he goes and drafts Bubonja or Perk at No.2 or drafts this years Ogunbiyi(a guy who had no plans of playing for anything less than a senior contract) or worse yet trades away his picks for players on the wrong side of 30 then yeah time to get pissed.
Ives at the combine with the best news of the day. "Before I get to our primer on the Combine, here are some tidbits MLS fans will be interested in: New York Red Bulls fans wondering who will be scouting prospects and running the draft will be happy to hear that former technical director Jeff Agoos will not be part of that process. General manager Erik Soler and assistant coaches Richie Williams and Des McAleenan will be doing the scouting this weekend. Newly-hired Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe isn't expected to attend the Combine." Link to the rest of it here Soccer by Ives. Woo Hoo !! Combine Match day coverage also at Ives blog link here Soccer By Ives
Some interesting news from Ives about Philadelphia's pick. You can follow his live commentary here. It was already apparent that Philly was going to pick Mwanga, but this seals the deal. In other news, Duka will be making his first appearance in the 4:15 match.
More from Ives: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/01/mls-combine-matchday-commentary.html
Tchani has looked good according to Ives... must say I'm intrigued by him and would not mind taking him at 2. Still prefer grabbing Opara, trying to move up if necessary for Duka and finding a vet or two to plug holes in the midfield until Dilly is ready to take the keys.
From Ives, regarding player observations on the first day of the combine: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/01/mls-combine-day-one-a-quick-recap.html Rememer, Ives stated that Duka could fall to us at the 14th pick if he doesn't have a good combine. I'm thinking the choice at the #2 is either Opara or Tchani.
Another blogger with his picks and pans of player performances on the Combines first day. Pro Player Pipeline Tchani being picked at No.2 picks up steam.
Ives had both Tchani and Opara among the players who played well on the first day of the combine. The Pro Player Pipeline guy has this: He also has this on Duka: So this other guy has Tchani as the top performer out of the ones we're following. Opara was adequate and Duka needs to improve. Duka might just fall to the #14, if he continues playing like crap tomorrow. Also, a player to keep an eye on, if the Red Bulls pass on Opara is Kwame Watson-Siriobe (who Ives had on his "Playing Well" list:
Here's a guy actually believes the Red Bulls will take Duka with the #2: http://wvhooligan.com/2010/01/08/wvh-mock-draft-4-0/ As of right now, I believe it would be a huge mistake to pass up either Opara or Tchani with the #2 pick. This opinion, of course, is just based on what I've read so far from all these different sites and on the reports from the first day of the combine. As a matter of fact, if the Red Bulls are looking to move up in the draft, they should do it to try to get both Opara and Tchani. Pick Opara at #2, then give every remaining pick to Dallas for the #5 and hope Tchani falls to them right there. It would be a major haul right there, bagging two starters.
I'm with you. I wouldn't want to be the GM that passes on the next Shalrie Joseph or Eddie Pope... Tchani and Opara might be those guys. If i had to call i would go with Tchani at No. 2. His youth, size and passing are a hard combo to find at the midfield position. He reminds me of Joseph at that position.
hey i would like to comment on the second game b/c's i was there watching and it was really cold the weather was horrible and i thought fl. is always warm, didn't see one stand out player in the match, i saw alot of self fish players and trying to impress, i seen duka as well he was alright but played only the first half he was open the whole time not one person from the Defenders to the Midfielders on his own team would pass one ball to him that was so funny every scouts seen the same thing i even recorded the game, duka just stole the ball from the other team and pass a through ball to teal which he missed the goal and passed it a few times but never got the ball back, will see if they put dilly in the center mid if he can open the game up the next game, i really can't wait to see the game when Duka plays Tchani, Opara thats where we well find out who is worth the #2 pick
More from Ives: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/01/mls-combine-day-one-rewind-1.html I'm thinking everything possible should be done to try and snag both Tchani and Opara. If that's not possible, I'm thinking Tchani, then Watson-Siriboe with the 14th. Then again, maybe Duka will impress tomorrow. There's a tread about that on metrofanatic. Apparently the Front Office have been kind enough to provide a bus, for those who want to go down, free of charge. As a matter of fact, there might be a few Hatas taking advantage of that.
Ives seems so smug that Tchani or Opara will be number 2 I would love it if he were wrong. Not because i dont want those players but because ives is so arrogant.