The Rapids have no 1st or 2nd round picks, but that doesn't mean that can't pick up some diamonds in the rough. Many consider this the deepest superdraft in MLS history and with only 10 teams that means some good players are going to drop. Some ideas: Dimelon Westfield - F - Clemson Scored 20 goals in 19 games this year for Clemson. Already scored 2 goals in his first game in the Combine. Good speed, good finisher. Much needed depth at forward for Colorado. Why he'll drop - he's a Transitional Int. from Trinidad, who will count as a Senior Int. in 2004. He's worth trying for the year to see if he's worthy of taking up a full Senior Int. spot next year. Damani Ralph and Anthony Curtis - F and M - Uconn Both are Jamican born players. Ralph is a strong forward and scored 18 goals in 23 games this year at UConn. Also just scored in the combine. Is a Transisitional Int. so he'll. Curtis is a good playmaker / att mid. Because he's already 24 he'll count a Senior Int. So he'll probably be available in the 6th round if the Rapids know that they have a Senior Int. spot that they will not be using. They have one left after Spencer/Grimandi, but Hankinson probably has plans for it. Ryan Futagaki - Talented Mid from UCLA. He'll drop because he's a senior and isn't that big physically, but he can play either wing and has a strong shot. Other ideas?
Westfield is a good one--played strong this year for Clemson, with the right front line team mate he will continue his scoring. What is the status with a backup keeper? Any discussion
Clemson's Doug Warren is the top choice Goalkeeper of this draft but will probably be gone by pick #28 as a few other teams are looking to upgrade their backup keeper position. As for the rest: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NextStep/1042336004/view Westfield had another good day at the combine today and scored again. He may go earlier than expected even though he is a TI.
I don't remember where it was, but I saw something about a tall forward from Eastern Illinois Univ. named Jason Thompson. Project 40, All American, etc. Anybody know much about him? We might be able to make good use of some height up front. The Rapids are not a very tall team.
Well as a matter of fact Jason Thompson has ties to us since he does play for the BRR. He's also on USM Amateur Nats... http://www.boulderrapidsreserve.com/
You may want to look at a Combine recap I have at www.topdrawersoccer.com I put the players in tiers based on convo with most of the MLS coaches and other coaches on hand (college and A League). Someone mentioned Anthony Curtis above, what a tireless worker he is. I suppose he could fall to #28, but I doubt it. Thompson not likely to go there either. However, not to rumormonger, but if the Rapids were to try and trade for the #4 or #5 pick, in order to take a very impressive striking prospect, maybe a big guy who can run, what would they have to offer in return?
Given the Rapids' general failure with first-round draft picks -- and success with third-rounders -- I don't see them desiring a move for the #4 or #5 pick. Especially not with all the young, still-have-potential players in the squad at the moment. However, if this "impressive striking prospect" were seen as being capable of an immediate impact, I could see the Rapids offering one of the following as a straight-up trade: - Jeff Stewart - Kyle Beckerman - Wes Hart I wouldn't be surprised to see the Rapids offering up their available allocation in exchange for the #4 pick and a capable starter -- for example, if Dallas offered up their pick plus Ryan Suarez (not saying this is likely, just an example). All that said, Hankinson has been straightforward in saying that he's looking to use the allocation on a striker, and if he's got someone lined up I don't see them making any significant moves on draft day.
If anyone wanted to take Thompson would they have to give us something, even is it's just a conditional draft pick.
Curtis turns 25 this year which means he'll count as a Senior International. Unless he has a green card he'll easily drop to the 6th round, if he's even taken at all.
Chris Bergin from www.ussocceruk.com posted a tidbit that the Rapids have committed to draft a player, Matthew Osborne. I haven't seen much info about him, but he's apparently from the UK but played college ball in the US. Here's the link (Fifth post down): http://www.ussocceruk.com/modules.p...pic&t=1639&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=180