20-21 Off season catch all

Got to love it when the top player "falls" to you.

I like it and think he only makes the Rapids better even with other players we have.

 

Most of the mock drafts pointed out Pereira would need an international slot and didn't say the same ting about Mayaka, so I'm assuming he doesn't need one.

Sounds like he's more a d-mid in the pros from what I'm reading.

 

With more expansion drafts ahead, his GA status offers protection as well.

 

Some comments and video on Mayaka -

Moved up and added another talent to our central midfield.#Rapids96 | #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/og5J29PWAq

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 21, 2021

I'm going to speculate that the Rapids see him as a "replacement" for Bassett when he ends up going to Europe.

 

Now which LB falls to us with our next pick.

 

I was going to say something about this as well. To me it looks like Vines will (is) be getting a lot of attention from European sides and thus the Rapids need to have someone lined up to "replace" him as well. In theory this should be tougher than the Bassett situation as there are just fewer talented left-footed players available.

 

Athleticism. Vision. Playmaking.

Our newest addition brings some good qualities to the center of the park. pic.twitter.com/uorqjv5Zmh

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 21, 2021

 

Left Backs

1. Matt Di Rosa, Maryland: Draft Range: 8th through 20th. Di Rosa is probably the top left back on the board and Maryland is a talent factory. I'll be genuinely surprised if he lasts until the 20th pick, which is the absolute floor, and he could easily go as high as 8th since the Timbers need left back depth.
2. Aedan Stanley, Duke/Sporting KC 2: Draft Range: Anywhere from 8th through 20th. The Timbers have a history of picking their former U23s and need LB depth, so Stanley makes sense for them if they pass on Di Rosa. Even if Stanley's not picked 8th, he won't drop too far.
3. Josh Drack, University of Denver: Draft Range: 10-20. Drack is a true, left-footed attacking fullback who'd fit well any number of places, but probably goes later than Di Rosa and Stanley.
4. Avionne Flanagan, USF: Draft Range: Late-1st to early-2nd round. Flanagan has flown somewhat under the radar, but has picked up some buzz in recent days.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/01/20/armchair-analyst-2021-mls-superdraft-positional-big-board

Rapids have to have a ton of scouting on LB Josh Drack DU

 

Not going to be Drack- Galaxy just took him.

 

We've traded the 21st pick to @AustinFC in exchange for $50K in General Allocation Money.#Rapids96 | #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/eng20yjaqZ

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 21, 2021

 

So our first round amounted to trading the #15 pick, an international slot, and $275K of GAM for Michael Barrios and Philip Mayaka. That's a solid bit of work.

 

F- Edward Kizza, Pittsburgh

My next guess. So, I know nothing about the off-field reasons that cost him last season but he was highly rated and a few Mocks had us taking him in first round.

 

We passed with our 2nd Round Pick, First team to Pass this draft.

Oh well, Still happy with how this worked out for team and think we are improved.

 

I think its safe to look at Padraig Smith's track record now and say he targets one player in the draft, makes the moves necessary to get him, and then blows off the rest. Two years ago it was Shinyashiki, last year it was Kelly, and this year it was one of the consensus top 3 picks. I'm not sure if the Rapids expected Mayaka to fall to them or if they were looking at another player with their move up today, but Mayaka was a must take when he fell to us.

 

I fully expect Mayaka to get minutes this year. I also fully expect that his pick means the Rapids are going to be willing to part with one of our midfielders this season

 

Getting drafted is just another chapter in this incredible story.

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 22, 2021

 

There is a direct quote from Smith that they see him as a #6 a la Nagbe, CO Rapids Twitter and posted above somewhere.

 

Ha! You want more proof? Check out this article from this morning:

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021...share_button&utm_campaign=social_share_button

Philadelphia got the ONLY A+ draft rating. They literally traded away all their draft picks. Didn’t draft a single person. And they are the only A+ rated draft participant.

Their reasoning?

Meanwhile, the rapids got an A for:

A lot of the other A grades also mention trading for “more value elsewhere”.

And then of course Sporting KC got an A for:

So, moral of the story? After pushing the draft super hard lately in all of their podcasts, articles, etc...MLS writers are now telling us that the draft isn’t important and you should sign your players elsewhere.

Can’t imagine what that feels like to be a kid who didn’t get drafted today - and that while your hopes/dreams just took a huge knock with the draft, the MLS is celebrating the fact that teams didn’t participate


Now look, I know the draft isn’t great for massive talent prospects compared to other channels. But it gives these kids a chance to see their dreams go to the next level - and quite often they at least get a chance to practice with the pros. A TON of talent can’t afford to pay their way into soccer academies that will get you noticed by MLS teams. But you may be talented enough to get a college scholarship. And that college scholarship may get you drafted and get you a chance to play.

I’m sorry if it sounds like I’m ranting a little. But I’m just a little shocked at the tone deafness of that article

 

Well, given the talking heads do about as bad as I do predicting where guys will get drafted- I would take their comments with a grain of salt. Lets also not forget that USL has really grown and another avenue for College Players.

I posted this before but it does show just how far the Superdraft is falling in aquiring players.

Interesting 2019 Draft Analysis:

Of the 77 players selected:

• 28 - Made an MLS roster (same as 2019)
• 6 - Appeared in 1+ MLS games (down 16)
• 5 - Appeared in 10+ MLS games (down 3)
• 3 - Appeared in 20+ MLS games (same as 2019)
• 18 - Currently on an MLS roster (down 6)
• 8 - Loaned to a USL Championship club (down 9)
• 31 - Signed by a USL Championship club (up 1)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021...retrospective-checking-state-2020-draft-class

 

Did some research last night. Over the last 2 drafts only 18 players were drafted outside the first round and signed to a MLS roster. 10 of them were by recent expansion teams (LAFC, Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Nashville). That means the other 20 teams signed a total of 8 players.

Unless you're trying to stock a new roster there just isn't much outside the top 25 picks. The draft should really be one round. I wouldn't even have a "draft" at this point. I'd have a college allocation list, everyone gets 1 pick a year from colleges, then they go to the back of the line.

 

As much crap as people give the RFO, lately Padraig has been getting a lot of "solid bit of work" comments. I am appreciating what he is doing here.

(just pointing out positive when I can!)

rod.

 

BW is reporting that Mayaka will need an international slot. Given how long he's been here though I can't imagine it will take long to get him a green card.

 

Here are few insight into the thought process of the Rapid in building a roster and the super draft -

Colorado Rapids ecstatic "top young talent" Philip Mayaka fell to them in MLS SuperDraft https://t.co/tnDA65tO9f pic.twitter.com/4iDUTYoayV

— Stateside Soccer (@StatesideSoccer) January 23, 2021

 

Looks like the Rapids will be able to buy Yarbrough -

#Futbol ⚽ | Las directivas de Club León y Colorado Rapids están a detalles para acordar la compra del arquero https://t.co/U8KWzrPQAN

— Noticias Vespertinas (@noticiasvesp) January 22, 2021