Dwindling rosters force clubs to make developmental picks their priority
Entering the draft last year, MLS teams jockeyed for possession of the top five picks because there were several players who most coaches agreed could step in right away. They were right: Steve Shak, Nick Garcia, Carlos Bocanegra, Danny Califf and Adin Brown all made significant contributions as rookies.
This year there may be no such sure-bets.
Connecticut junior Chris Gbandi, who led his team to a national championship, almost certainly would have been the No. 1 pick if he had decided to turn pro, but he has opted for one more year with the Huskies.
“I think he wants to finish school,” UConn coach Ray Reid said. “I think that’s important to him and his father, and I don’t forsee anything changing.”
Another candidate for the first overall pick, Stanford defensive midfielder Ryan Nelsen, has his sights set on a career in Europe. With the reputation and connections he made with the New Zealand national team, few doubt he will find a club overseas.
Several other would-be high picks also have expressed interest in trying Europe before MLS. Last year, teams passed over highly regarded midfielder Steven Armstrong for that reason, and, ultimately, not even D.C. United was able to woo him into staying. This year, Clemson midfielder Mark Lisi, Duke forward Ali Curtis and his midfield teammate Robert Russell carry this type of “buyer beware” label along with Nelsen.
Further shrouding the draft in mystery is how teams will react to having their roster size reduced to 18 players. At least 18 non-roster players will be available – nine from Project-40, nine youth internationals. More may be added by draft day.
After talking to coaches, general managers, agents and college scouts from around the league, we at Soccer America think this year’s draft will be dominated by youth in the early rounds.
The following is a list of the 12 players we think are most likely to be first-round selections, although not necessarily in the order listed. Another 12 players who could crack the top group are listed afterward. Last year, seven players from our “hot list” were taken in the first round. Expect no such success this time.
The Hot List:
1. Joselito Vaca (M, Oriente Petrolero, YI). As one of Tahuichi’s most talented products, Vaca has been heralded as the next Marco Etcheverry, but he more resembles Mauricio Cienfuegos or John Wilmar Perez than his Bolivian hero. This diminutive distributor certainly has soccer tools, but he’s 18 and may need a season or two to adjust to American life and MLS.
2. Chris Carrieri (F, North Carolina, P40). Confident, feisty and greedy. The same qualities which made him Division I’s top goalscorer could make him a coaching challenge, but scouts say his ability to work with teammates has improved greatly in his three years in college.
3. Cory Gibbs (D, Brown, CS). Extremely athletic defender who can come forward and is dominant in the air. Will need polishing, particularly in handling pressure with the ball, but has the raw tools to be an effective left back – always a coveted position.
4. Brian Mullan (M/F Creighton, CS). Tireless worker with tremendous quickness and superb balance. Viewed by most as a wide midfielder in MLS, but one question is how well he can make that transition from forward.
5. Tenywa Bonseu (D, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, SI). An imposing central back who proved his ability to play in MLS with Chicago during the latter stages of the 2000 season. The Ugandan’s foreign status limits which teams can take him.
6. Edson Buddle (F, Long Island Rough Riders, P40). At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, this 19-year-old showed himself fully capable of being effective against older players by leading the Rough Riders with 11 goals in 26 matches. Highly skilled with a powerful shot.
7. Greg Simmonds (F, Hershey Wildcats, A-L). One of the most-talked-about forwards entering last year’s draft, but he did not sign an MLS contract. This year he signed early. Tall frontrunner with agile feet appeared for D.C. United in the Champions Cup.
8. Eddie Johnson (F, U.S. U-17s, P40). A youngster whose size (6-0, 170) belies his age (16). He started 52 of the 56 matches the U-17s played last year and led the team in scoring with 33 goals, 19 assists. A prototypical target man who can play with his back to goal, run onto through balls and head to goal.
9. Isaias Bardales (F, San Jose St., P40). A slender, shifty attacker able to dart in and out of tight spaces and create chances for himself and others. At 22, he is more mature than some of the other Project-40 forwards, but he did not face the same level of competition as some other college prospects.
10. Ali Curtis (F, Duke, CS). With the 1999 Hermann Trophy and the 2000 MAC Award on his mantle, one would expect this speedster with knack for finishing to be taken early. Concerns about his European aspirations and his ability to combine with teammates have affected his standing.
11. Jose Burciaga (D, U.S. U-20s, P40). A left back with good pace and uncanny technical ability. After playing striker and midfielder in high school, he has made a remarkably quick adjustment to defense. Still, he’ll need seasoning at the new position.
12. Nick Downing (D, Maryland, P-40). A versatile defensive player whose best positions are free central back or holding midfielder. Steady, smart and coachable. Question marks may be decisions under pressure and physical attributes.
by Soccer America associate editor Will Kuhns
Others to watch:
Name (Pos., School/Club, Status*)
Santino Quaranta (M, U.S. U-17s, P40)
Ryan Suarez (D, San Jose State, CS)
Devin Barclay (F, U.S. U-20s, P40)
Brent Rahim (M, Connecticut, TI)
Brian Namoff (M, Bradley, CS)
Miguel Saavedra (M, U.S., P40)
Dwayne DeRosario (F, Richmond Kickers, A-L)
Robert Russell (M, Duke, CS)
Craig Demmin (D, Rochester Rhinos, A-L)
Jorge Martinez (M, San Jose State, CS)
Darin Lewis (F, Connecticut, SI)
Ryan Trout (M, Virginia, CS)
*Key to status abbreviations
A-L: A-League (must sign MLS contract before draft)
CS: College senior (counts vs. roster and salary cap)
P40: Project-40 (does not count vs. roster or salary cap)
SI: Senior international (counts vs. foreign player limit, roster and salary cap)
TI: Transitional international (counts vs. roster and salary cap but not vs. foreign player limit)
YI: Youth international (does not count vs. roster or salary cap)