Live Blog & Pick Dissection From Draft
Hey guys, welcome to the Live Blog
To follow along live and with more up to date picks and such check out the chat @ http://www.mlsdraft.net/?q=tribune
This will be more official and full of praise and crisitsm for each pick. Expect a fun filled today on this blog, I will try to be official, but a bit more free with words then most blogs.
1:30: Ive heard Jeff Lorentiwitz name mentioned in trade talks with a move to Colorado.
Toronto is in talks and I have heard that there is a deal done, but no one knows if how far hes moving up and which team it is. New York had been shopping the pick, but I just dont see what the Red Bull want from TFC.
Did not happen here guys, sorry I knew it was a little to quiet for a TFC trade
12:35: So far Philadelphia has sent allocation money to Dallas to get the 6th overall pick. It looks like the Union will select Mwenga, Gaving/Okugo, and Duka.
1. Philadelphia Union: Danny Mwenga - SUPRISE!!!! But seriously, its great to see the Union do somthing like this. If they did not press him so hard to sign, he could be in europe now.
2. New York Red Bull: Tony Tchani - 2 for 2... Im on a roll here!!! Red Bull take a very strong midfielder with this pick, Tchani will be starting from day one and will turn this team around.
3. San Jose Earthquakes: Ike Opara - San Jose needed help anywhere and Ike Opara is the best choice due to the fact Ryan Johnson couldnt play alongside Teal Bunbury
4. Kansas City Wizards: Teal Bunbury - Like father like son, Teal who was long rumored to be going to Toronto is picked at four. Finally KC has a replacement for Eddie Johnson.
5. FC Dallas: Zach Loyd - I had him going at five as well, but I do think its a bit of an early pick for him. He is MLS ready, but I am not sure he if going to get much better then his is right now. He will start from the get go thought.
6. Philadelphia Union: Amobi Okguo - Young, strong and a bright future. I would of rather seen Gavin at this spot but he is going to help a team out of the block right away. Okugo seems really nervous, its nice to see kids show raw emotion.
7. Philadelphia Union: Jack McInerney - Impressive that the Union went with two strikers in the first seven picks. If they can keep both strikers long term they will be a great up top. A bit of an early pick, but im sure they had reasons.
8. Columbus Crew: Dilly Duka - A great attacking player to learn from GBS and become a great pro. Duka could be the go to guy in the American team in four or five years, hes got that much skill and upside.
9. New England Revolution: Zack Schilawski - I had this pick for months, but I didnt listen to my gut and now im feeling it hard. Great player, can play the wing or a striker, he will have a good future especially at New England (After a 2nd look, I did finish with Zach @ 9... Damn im good!)
10. Chivas USA: Blair Gavin - Great midfielder, one of my fav's at this years combine. Chivas make out with a steal and Corbin Bone keeps falling, he has to go soon. Chivas has a full midfield, but im sure Gavin will find a way to get playing time in year one.
11. Seattle Sounders: David Estrada - WOW WOW WOW, Estrada was not even in my to be drafted board. He had a strong first few years in college but I just cant explain this pick
12. Columbus Crew: Bright Dike - With Akpan and Wiedeman there on GA deals, why does Columbus take Dike? Dike was to slow to beat NCAA defenders, I just cant see him being a good pro, he is strong and has a cannon for a shot thought. With this quality left, its crazy.
13. Chicago Fire: Corbin Bone - A player who comes in and out of games, struggled at the combine but still has a bright future. He just needs to play a full ninty minutes for him to have success in this league. At the 13th spot Chicago could do ALOT worse (look at the past 2 picks)
14. New York Red Bull: Austin da Luz - With Dallas still showing interest in DVB they need to find a left winger and with da Luz you get a young player who can come in right away and play. Looks kinda like Claudio Reyna, so maybe this wont work out (haha)
15. Real Salt Lake: Collen Warner - Salt Lake trade the 16th and Clint Mathis to LA for the 16th pick and a 3rd rounder in 2011. Warner is a good midfielder who can play right away, it is unclear on how much playing time he will yet in year one.
16. LA Galaxy: Michael Stephens - My favourite player in this years class, he is going to help LA in the depth department right away.
17. Philadelphia Union: Toni Stahl - Excellent 2nd round pick, Stahl could help this team right away. They have a strong young midfield and taking a 24 year old player is not a problem. Philly has a grreat future. If Okugo cant start right away, Stahl will help him.
18. New York Red Bull: Tim Ream - Suprise pick here, he did not stand out at the combine and had a slow final day. A stretch forsure, but once you are out of the first round its a bit of a gamble either way.
19. San Jose Earthquakes: Michael Thomas - Another pick that is questionable, he had a brilliant free kick in the combine. Figured that Morrow would be the first Irish player picked, but he looks to be the last.
20. Kansas City Wizards: Orede Aiyegbusi - The tiny left back with a big heart. Ives stood up and took a bow as he loved this guy all combine and I agree with him, he could be a very good MLS player.
21. FC Dallas: Andrew Wiedeman - He is not going to be a Generation Adidas player for them since there slots are full, but he is one of the best players left. I would of expected Akapn, but Wiedeman isnt a wrong pick.
22. Colorado Rapids: Andre Akpan - To fill a backup need with a kid like Akpan is a dream come true for for the Rapids. Akpan had a tough at the combine but he still is a strong player and just needs a few chances to put the ball in the net.
23. Colorado Rapids: Ross LeBeaux - A lanky midfielder who has some pace, he caught my eye in the final day and could make a splash in the MLS. There are better players in my mind out there, but once again some people see different then I.
24. Toronto FC: Zach Herold - A young up and coming defender with all the upside in the world. He can play on the right or in the middle of the defense. It will take a while before he fills out into his body, but he could be a great player.
25. New England Revolution: Seth Sinovic - Strong attacking left back with a good workrate. Seth is the ideal player for New England, he works hard and does a job and isnt flashy.
26. Chicago Fire: Kwame Watson-Siriboe - He had a good combine and a great year at Uconn, with word of a skull fracture at the combine this must be the reason his stock dropped so far.
27. Seattle Sounders: Mike Seamon - A hard working player who may help this team, hes a player who may not get a contract come the end of training camp but Sigi may like him.
28. San Jose Earthquakes: Justin Morrow - Morrow was the best left back at the draft and could be the steal of the draft. Yallop who usually has a rough draft looks like he got a good pick at 28.
29. Chicago Fire: Drew Yates - Already grabbed an attacking midfielder in this draft but Yates size and ability may help him stick with this squad. A great combine may keep him on with this team for a year.
30. San Jose Earthquakes: Steve Beitashour - First non combine invite, I figured Barry Rice would be this kind of pick.
31. New England Revolution: Zak Boggs - I like this pick, he is a player who should of been invited to the combine. He has a lot of skill and a nice touch. Typical New England pick, these guys must have the best scouting system in the MLS.
32. Real Salt Lake: Justin Davis
33. Union: Kyle Nakazawa - Great pick up so late in this years draft, he has great upside and vision. He had a rough combine but with a strong season at UCLA he should not of slipped to the 3rd round.
34. New York Red Bulls: Connor Chinn - I was not impressed by him at all at the combine, he had pace but did nothing with it. With Andrew Hoxie still on the board they could of done better.
35. Chivas: Kevin Tangney - A centreback with a left foot is always a plus, he had a tough few years in Maryland but had a good looking combine. If he can impress at Chivas, as they lack depth in defense; he could find himself as a backup.
36. Kansas City: Nick Cardenas - A big defender with some US u20 experience. Cadenas is a nice pickup this late in the draft and if Jimmy Conrad sticks around in Kansas he has a great under study.
37. SJ - Andrew Hoxie: Frank Yallop tip your hat, Hoxie has the size to turn heads in the MLS and if he can get a chance he could become a good target man. Good head on his shoulders.
38. FCD - Jason Yeisley: A strong target man who had a rough combine. Yiesley had a good college career but it could be the end of the road for him.
39. Real Salt Lake - Chris Schuler: An athletic freak with some upside, he was one of the better defenders in this years draft class. He struggled at the start of the combine, but as the days went on he looked like he could play in this league.
40. Colorado Rapids - Chad Borak: This is getting bad for Perk and Johnson. These guys are sitting here watching this all fly by and seeing guys like Borak & Yiesley going ahead of them. I hope they have some nice words to say to the nay sayers.
41. KC - Mauro Fuzetti: Im not sure exactly what they were thinking here, Fuzetti was terrible at the combine and they already have guys like Zusi in the attacking mid role.
42. Chivas: Isacc Kissi -A quick player who is very far away from the finish product. He found himself in alot of good places at the combine but could never finish.
43. Houston: David Walker - Im on my last legs here, I will stay to the end but please just pick Ofori Sarkodie, Brian Perk, Sean Johnson and Barry Rice!!
44. FCD: Eric Alexander - A good player, I thought he was a big part of the Indiana team but faided out of games. At the 44th overall you cant say it was a bad pick. We shall see if he turns out.
45. Chicago Fire: Steve Kinney - Kinney has some size and but I just cant see him as a pro. He could prove me wrong, but other then being an offensive threat on corner kicks I didnt see much from him.
46. Houston: Sammy Appiah - A good right back with very strong attacking skills. He looked good with Michael Stephens on the wing, he is an international so I dont know if he will sign.
47. Chivas: Ben Zemanski - Had a great season along side Blair Gavin and should get drafted, it will be interesting to see if he fits in Chivas' flooded midfield.
48. New England: Jason Griffiths - A Kentucky player who isnt Barry Rice. Thats it!!! Im outta here... Just kidding, 1 more round
49. Philly: Brian Perk - With 2 keepers already on staff, Perk would be the third keeper but also could challenge for a starting spot. He has played behind Sietz in the 07 U20 world cup so they can work each other to the bone.
50. NYRB: Irving Garcia - A firey player with a nice touch on the ball, I am not sure if he has a future in the league but he will bring you heart and a two-way style of soccer that not many in this draft can.
51. Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson - Finally someone to take this poor kid, he has a strong upside and to find a kid this late in the draft you have to take him even if you have 5 keepers.
52. KC: Ofori Sarkodie - A great pickup, this 4th round looks more like the second round at the moment and I am personally cheering for Sarkodie on this one so that he can show people that you dont have to be flashy to be a good fullback.
53. Toronto FC: Nane Joseph is a midfielder from Old Dominion, he is more of a holding midfielder and really doesnt fill any need here. Expect them to move Joseph before preseason.
54. FCD: Dane Saintus - Dallas finish the draft for the day and pack it in.
55. DCU: Jordan Graye - A good college fullback, once against in the fourth round you cant expect him to play in this league but you this is a gamble now.
56. Colorado: Chris Cutshaw - A midfielder from Bradley, everone seems to be taking there hidden gems at the moment.
57. New England: Adam Welch - He wad out of his depth at the combine and I didnt see anything from him that made me thinkg he could make it in the next level.
58. Chivas: Chris Ross - Collgate Universtiy, I would make a joke about him being a dentist but Im just not whitty enough at the moment.
59. Seattle Sounders: Jamel Wallace - 3 players from San Diego St today, pretty impressive for the college.
60. Columbus: Kwaku Nyamekye - A big strong defender, struggled at times durring the year but is a project.
61. Columbus: Othaniel Yanez - Yanez was a good player in the combine and scored an impressive goal. Picking him in the 4th round is a good pick
62. Houston: Evan Holden - Lose one Holden, grab another... it must be the trick.
63. Columbus: Sean Francis - He went to Lindsey Wilson, I wont pretend I know this guy.
64. Real Salt Lake: Kris Banghart - This is the final pick of the day, AND I AM DONE!!!
Special thanks to everyone at the draft and all my readers, I hope this 6 hours I did burning my eyes helped you through your work day!
Thu, 01/14/2010 - 17:41
#2
Man, I don't know any of this players, but from what I been reading here in your website, Philadelphia Union is having a Tremendous Draft!!! Will we see another Seattle Sounders FC coming? Expasion team with a lot of good players making a lot of noise in the season? Let's hope! That would be terrific for the league!
Why are there people in this draft that were not even at the combine!!! These guys busted their asses and many of them did not even make the draft! What happened to guys like Two-Boys or Pezza? I dont get it.