P-40's in the Mock SuperDraft

"With Andy Williams rumored to be on his way out, Thomas may be a big hit with the Jamaican fans."

I know you did that in fun, but this line is just silly.

 

oh well...at least he didn't say...

scouts are getting really high on the Jamaican after he signed with the league this weekend. his ability to stone opposing attackers packs considerable potency. plus, he can not be passed on the left-hand side.

 

Re: oh well...at least he didn't say...

Das some goooooood shiiiiiiiiiit TJ.

 

So is Thomas cap-tied to Jamaica or could Arena poach him from our CONCACAF rivals?

 

He's way-cap-tied. He played for Jamaica in qualifiers for Korea/Japan. That he was able to do this as a teenager is part of what makes him so desirable.

 

then of course you could whip out some Office Space...

and for Gonzalez, say, "Oh, hello Galaxy...whaaaaat's happening? Say, did you get that Memo?"

is it possible that Gonzalez is the hottest commodity in this draft? we'll know more by the end of the week, but it wouldn't surprise me if this situation becomes increasingly likely.

if this is the case, and mind you this is all hypothetical, but, what if it *was* clear by Friday that Gonzalez was the consensus #1? would the Gals not then be forced to move heaven, earth, and the eighth and tenth picks in order to land him?

switching gears slightly, i really think it's possible that Eskandarian's stock may drop on account of his absence at the combine. and i also think the only reason he was thought of as a consensus #1 in the first place was because he was virtually the only player most of the American soccer community was pretty certain was coming out for the draft.

Hudson's comments on Esky with respect to whether or not United would select him were so diplomatic you'd think he were working on Capitol Hill and not United Park.

i think as many as four players in this draft almost certainly have more upside than Eskandarian, and so even though everyone still seems to think it is a no-brainer (btw, i've always hated this phrase, as it suggests that a decision is made without ever actually involving the brain) that he will suit up in the Red and Black in '03, i think it's not even close to being a foregone conclusion.

all in all, this is shaping up to be, at least for me, the most exciting week in the history of MLS.

 

Re: then of course you could whip out some Office Space...

I agree, this draft seems to be loaded.

 

Is Gonzalez an attacking mid? If so and if DCU and Metros don't take him 1 or 2, I don't see the Fire letting him go by the #3 pick. That's their biggest need right now and there don't seem to be any options for one coming from another team or via discovery popping up yet.

 

he's definitely an attacking mid.

 

The Fire already have Craig Capano. Do they really need another young player that plays essentially the same position? Diego Walsh might be a better option for the Fire.

 

Memo is more of an attacking player than Capano.
From what I hear, Diego Walsh also plays the same position as Memo...I really don't see your point.

Sounds like Memo has World Class potential, I'm not sure if Walsh fits that bill, plus Memo is 5-6 years younger.

 

Yeah, Walsh is a better choice if the Fire need help immediately this year. Of course, I don't know his foreign status or salary type concerns. It might make him less desirable.

Gonzalez has more upside, but Gonzalez still needs to finish HS in Florida and will likely be in Finland in August. So, I don't see him making a huge contribution to any team this season.

So, I guess if the Fire are willing to wait for Memo it's a good pick at #3.

Will Capano be competing for PT with Marsch and Armas as a holding player? It sounds like another year in Milwaukee would do him good.

 

Look for a lot of trade talk on draft day, and a few actual trades.

-Tron

That sounds like the best prediction of the week

 

Re: oh well...at least he didn't say...

I would certainly hope he can stone people if he's from Jamaica.

 

Craig Capano is a helluva prospect but he is not a future defensive mid. Period.

To be a defensive mid, you have to play defense. The next time Capano plays defense will be the first.

He's got great vision and tactical awareness, passes very well, holds the ball in traffic and has a strong shot.

But, he is not a ball-winner. Supposedly, when they were with the 17s, Jordan Stone basically never went forward because he knew he had to stay back and cover for Capano and if he did go forward, Capano wouldn't slide back and cover for him.

Talented? Yes. Creative? Yes. Attack-minded? Yes. A future replacement at D-mid for Marsch and Armas? Not hardly.

BTW, if they don't make a trade, I see the Fire taking Walsh. With Nowak and Kovalenko gone, they have a big hole behind their forwards and Walsh is skilled and mature enough to fill that until Capano is ready.

All this talk about Magee at No. 3, I think, is misleading. I know Magee wants to play with his hometown team but no way is he the third-best player in this draft. He wouldn't have gone No. 3 last year - when Mapp went 4th - and this year's draft is MUCH deeper than last year's.

The Fire may ultimately draft Magee, but it will be somewhere in the second round. The third overall pick is just way too high for him.

 

Yeah, Capano is no true dmid. I'm not so sure he has the physical qualities to be a true #10 though---I look at him as more of a Claudio Reyna type.

Lots of people are high on Walsh I see. The only way I see him going top 5 is if he has a green card. He's already 23 and has a limited amount of time before he turns into a full international. His success is not guaranteed either IMHO--this is MLS, and not college. Ask Lavrinenko, Korol, Alavanja, and Curtis about that one.

 

I had never heard this.

Silly question I know, but is this backed up anywhere by MLS?

 

Count me among the people who are high on Walsh. He's easily good enough to justify a senior international slot.