@TheFalseNine please delete per discussion rules and because some of us have likely weighed what comes with drafting dual nationals.
God damnit. I guarantee we now have drafters who weren't considering or aware of him who now are. FFS.
With my 6th and 7th picks I take... 6. Tim Ream, the left-footed 31-yr-old centerback for Fulham. Ream is a good passer and a veteran presence. He’s probably not, at his age, a good enough defender for the Premier League, but not many American centerbacks are! A ball-playing central defender at such a high level is a huge asset and I’m happy he fell to me. 7. Ulysses Llanez, the unattached 17-yr-old left winger who will likely feature for the USA at the U20 World Cup in May. Llanez is a rare commodity: a true heels-on-the-chalk winger who can combine and move, hit a devastating pass from wide areas, beat a defender to the endline and pull one back, or cut in and shoot at goal. He is still raw (he wasn’t as consistent as Ledezma and Mendez were in USL) but his performance at the U20 Concacaf Championship was electrifying (he won the silver boot) before he was injured in the qualification stage vs Costa Rica. @ChuckMe92
My 7th pick goes to 23-year-old Julian Green of Greuther Fürth. Perhaps some don't even have him on their board. I get it, he's had his struggles and has not remotely come close to the star we thought he could be. But the pool of young-ish strikers who'd accept a USMNT callup is thinning out and I've been neglecting the position far too long. Green plays CF, winger, and CAM. He won't be winning aerial battles, but hasn't looked bad in hold-up play and has craftiness to his game, both of which he showed against France last year. Green does have two of the more memorable USMNT goals of the last five years, with notches in his belt against Courtois and Lloris, so perhaps he can step it up for bigger international matches. Green got a lot of playing time under Sarachan although it remains to be seen if Berhalter rates him. This is the pick of mine I am least confident about so far. It's a reach due to a shallow position. But he fits the bill of "serviceable." Hopefully, with the likes of Pulisic, Mendez, and Holmes creating chances, he can finish like he did in the videos below. 1. Pulisic 2. Mendez 3. C. Roldan 4. Holmes 5. Palmer-Brown 6. Glad 7. Green @Kevin8833 is back on the clock.
I am going to select Benny Feilhaber. The part I need to convince people on is that I am going to play Benny as my 6. He may not be a crunching tackler but he is intelligent and experienced enough to plug passing lanes and shield the back with intelligent positioning most importantly he will be tremendous in setting the tempo of play and playing out of pressure and connecting play. I realize people will accuse my midfield of lacking bite, my argument is first of all we are going to dominate the ball and put people under immense pressure with our attack. Second all three of these midfielders have a good engine, and when you compare Feilhaber to Trapp who is likely the best American 6 in MLS with passing and ball recoveries they are neck and neck. Feilhaber is also highly experienced and played deep in midfield with Nguyen with LAFC last season with success. So far my team looks like this: GK RB Opara LCB LB Feilhaber Ibarra Nguyen Gall Weah Picault @thedukeofsoccer uo next
7th: Sean Davis, CM, RBNY. Expected to be the undisputed leader in cm on one of the premier clubs in MLS, now that Tyler Adams departed for Leipzig. But for this exercise they'll rejoin together in the partnership that worked so well. Smart, quick-acting, high work-rate cm, with some bite, and can occasionally pick out an incisive pass, especially when playing further up the field. Has played all throughout midfield during his time with Red Bulls. 5th highest rated American in MLS per Whoscored, and 2nd cm. On club merit would have been at January camp over Bradley, Trapp, and Acosta. 1. Tyler Adams 2. Andrija Novakovich 3. Fabian Johnson 4. Walker Zimmerman 5. Geoff Cameron 6. Jordan Morris 7. Sean Davis @Lookingforleftbacks is on the clock.
With the 77th pick, I’m going to make the definition of a not-sexy pick. I’m going to go with Chad Marshall. He’s old (still younger than me), he’s slow, he’s not much of an offensive weapon. But he can break up an attack and is solid in the defensive third. 3x MLS defender of the year, 4x MLS Best XI, including last season, 2x MLS Cup Champ, US Open Cup Champ, 4x Supporter’s Shield winner. It’s not a coincidence he’s won everywhere he’s gone. 1. McKennie 2. Amon 3. Bello 4. Soto 5. Parker 6. Carleton 7. Marshall @Matthew Hartman is up
With my 7th pick I'm gonna take Jorge Villafaña. He's barely an international caliber player, but I think he's our best LB at the moment sans Robinson. Good luck to anybody who still needs a left back after Garza comes off the board. @truefan420 and @GiallorossiYank
@Matthew Hartman please refrain from naming players that haven’t been selected. It’s a simple rule. Please respect it. Going to continue with the unsexy selection that gets the job done day in and day out... we are please to select the ever versatile Eric Lichaj. He can man either flank very well. And will fit into our system perfectly. As he will have the freedom to maraud forward. @AutoPenalti you’re OTC
Next up, after a nail biting 24 hours, I can finally select Christian Ramirez, from LAFC. The guy has a natural ability to score goals anywhere and anytime, his stats alone prove my theory within the clubs he’s been in the past. I believe this year at LAFC he will double his tally and be the leagues top scorer and eventually be influential in the GC and beyond with the national team. He’s in the prime of his career and he’s surrounded with a bunch of ball movers. With the wingers I’m hoping to select, Ramirez will have all the chances in the world to finish any of the passes given to him. @Eleven Bravo and @IndividualEleven are up.
With our 7th pick; @IndividualEleven we pick: Ventura Alvarado Alvarado sort of has been forgotten about after the Gold Cup failure as he was considered the next big thing in defense. Quietly, Alvarado has turned things around and has been outstanding for Necaxa; even wearing the arm band for them. He’s super fast and has all the tools to even start for the USMNT, and he’s entering his prime years as a defender. @jond
With my 7th pick I select Konrad de la Fuente of Barcalona B. I like the above pic as Fuente's game resembles Dembele's. Fuente is one of our most explosive and talented youth prospects who's also regarded as one of La Masia's top prospects. At 17 already has multiple appearances for Barca B which is incredibly impressive. Essentially playing two levels up from his age group. Might be my favorite US prospect bar none. A bit of a stretch to pick him here but I like his talent and upside too much. He's the type who coming out of next summer could make a huge leap many didn't expect. Hopefully he's in our U20 WC roster. He's our top '01. I could see a loan within La Liga for the 2019-20 season in the cards. 1082429644945719296 is not a valid tweet id @ShaftBrewer you're up.
Well, I will take my LB with the ever injury-prone Greg Garza. Recently moved to FCC but just withdrew from US camp with an injury. @CreightonMCFCjoey
I'm going to take Gio Reyna and Jesse Gonzalez. The Reyna pick is a bit speculative. Unlike his 2002 counterparts in Bello and Busio, Reyna does not have a direct pathway to first team football in the near future. His move to Dortmund is close to completed per some people I talk with, waiting on some paperwork. He will likely start with Dortmund U17s and move to U19s soon after that. Despite his lack of immediate first team football his quality is evident. He is the best player for the US U17s. My concern with him as a professional, is what his optimal position is. I see him as a #10 long term. I will likely deploy him as a winger in my set up, and some including those at Dortmund per rumors, believe he can develop into a striker. With other players I would be concerned about his lack of defined position, but I have little doubt he'll become an exceptional pro, and nearly surefire USMNT player somewhere. That an dortmund knows what they are doing. Secondly, I select Jesse Gonzalez. I think he's the clear #3 GK in the pool, ahead of others honestly. He is prone to positional errors at times, but at 23 and lock starter with Luchi at Dallas I think manage those problems and become a great option long term for the USMNT back to you @ShaftBrewer
I will take Emerson Hyndman to play one of my CMs. 1. Yedlin 2. Canouse 3. Carter-Vickers 4. Sabbi 5. Kelman 6. McKenzie 7. Garza 8. Hyndman @jond
With my 8th pick I select Danny Williams of Huddersfield. Still on the right side of 30 I picked Danny to add needed bite and defensive presence to my midfield. Still young enough and quality enough to be a regular option for our NT this cycle. Injuries have bit him of late and needs to get back fit and healthy. Wore the captain's arm band for the NT in a draw at Portugal in Nov of 2017. 1. Ethan Horvath 2. Antonee Robinson 3. Haji Wright 4. Kenny Saief 5. Joe Corona 6. Paxton Pomykal 7. Konrad de la Fuente 8. Danny Williams @Eleven Bravo & @IndividualEleven
With our pick, @IndividualEleven and I are proud to announce.... Kelyn Rowe!!! Kelyn can do it all. Center Mid, Center Attacking Mid, Left Mid, Left Wing, Right Wing, Right Mid, and even Left Back! Mr. Versatility was on the rise in 2017, but was not in the best club situation last year; however he has transferred to Sporting Kansas City. Which, let it be known that Vermes has gone on record stating that Rowe has been a player he has always wanted to acquire. We expect a HUGE year out of Rowe. He can do it all; pass, cross, dribble, move off the ball, and shoot from distance! Plus, he has tons of experience and entering his prime years! Sometimes you get excited about a pick in the draft and Kelyn is certainly worth being excited about! @AutoPenalti
Next up, oof. I select Mark McKenzie. It was a battle between a winger and a defender. I decided that I was in dire need of a younger centerback. @truefan420 you up my dude. EDIT: Looks like McKenzie was already selected. Which means I select my second option, a winger. Gboly Ariyibi from Motherwell.
Was very very conflicted with who to go with here... after careful consideration and how we think the board will continue to play out we ultimately decided to go with Steve Birnbaum. Steve has had a very very solid year. While he likely doesn’t make the best 11 US national team he’s also shown that he can play at the level when called upon. He’s athletic enough to fit how our defense will be set up and be a threat on set pieces. He’s isnt a maestro with the ball at his feet but he’s shown to not shit the bed with the ball either. @Matthew Hartman you’re up
With my next pick I'm going to take Derrick Jones. In my opinion, Jones was better than Durkin was last season. II suspect Jones will still be better than Durkin this season and will lock down a spot in midfield for Philly. My team: 1) Brooks 2) Dest 3) Arriola 4) Ebobisse 5) Baird 6) Villafana 7) Jones @Lookingforleftbacks
@Lookingforleftbacks time is up. @thedukeofsoccer of soccer was polite enough to keep this train moving although he’s not able to make his pick. With his selection; he picks.... Luca DelaTorre I’ll let him write up his analysis. @Kevin8833 you’re up!
With my 8th pick, I’m going to select CB Brendan Hines-Ike of KV Kortrijk. He tore it up for Orebro last year, signed a 5 year deal with Kortrijk, was the team mvp for August, and a consistent starter into Novermber. At that point, it was starting to look like a given that a NT callup was immintent. However, Kortrijk fired their manager and their new manager benched him. Kortrijk went on a little run, but they have struggled their last few games and I’m betting Hines-Ike starts to get more playing time. He’s 6’1” and moves well for his size. He can also play RB and CM. He’s very good in the air and is quick enough to keep up with a counter attack. @thedukeofsoccer is now on the clock
With my next pick I am very happy to select Ben Sweat. A very solid and steady defender that is also reliable in possession. Sweat is coming off a very strong season where he earned a cap with the national team. I could possibly use him as a CB, although he will most likely be a LB, another option is he can play in a 3 man CB if I want to go that way or defend a lead late on, etc. @ChuckMe92 you're on the clock. Don't take my next target please!
Reiterating... Luca De La Torre, CAM/Wing, Fulham, was my pick. Not getting league action right now with Fulham in a relegation battle in the top flight. But he's impressed in Cup action. And grew as a youth international from late in the u-20 Cships helping propel the team to victory, then onto a quarterfinal finish in the World Cup where he performed solidly. Gifted off the dribble, can slip a teammate in, strong technically, and has a high-work rate offensively and defensively to partially make up for his slight frame. He will reportedly be loaned before the window closes. Hoping for the lowlands. Still @ChuckMe92 is on the clock.