Soccer America presents its position-by-position look at the top prospects for the MLS’s first player draft, scheduled for Feb. 6-7 in New York. Factors to consider in ranking the players included a player’s ability and experience and where he fits within the salary cap. The rankings include all players who are expected to have signed with MLS before the draft.

Goalkeepers

1. Khalil AzmiMoroccan impressed at combine
2. Mark DoddSolid, reliable U.S. product
3. Victor NogueiraBest of the indoor cast
4. Mark DoughertyExperienced, penalty-kick specialist
5. Pat HarringtonAPSL titlist with Montreal in ’94
6. Bo OshoniyiTwo-time Division II all-America
7. Bill AndrackiOne of A-League’s top keepers
8. David KramerStarred for USISL’s Monterey Bay
9. Jeff CauseyWon college and USISL titles
10. Scott BudnickReturns from stint in Oberliga

Defenders

1. *Robin FraserExperience, skill, speed
2. Ben IrohaNigerian ’94 World Cup veteran
3. *Frank YallopJoins MLS from English League
4. *Cle KooimanComing back from injury
5. Mike LapperMay stay at Southend
6. Uche OkaforMore than 30 caps for Nigeria
7. Troy DayakTough, physical man-marker
8. Manny MotajoTryout survivor played well at combine
9. Jorge SalcedoReads game well, good passer
10. Danny PenaLikely early-round pick if he signs
11. Janusz MichallikGood left foot, reliable defensively
12. Ian ButterworthPlayed five years for Norwich City
13. Samuel EkemeCameroonian is efficient back
14. Iain FraserCanadian international is bruiser
15. Steve TrittschuhShowed well at combine
16. Mark WatsonMore than 30 caps for Canada
17. Dennis HamlettA crunching tackler
18. Clint PeayU.S. Olympian with great promise
19. Art VelazcoTough APSL, indoor defender
20. Sean BowersSavvy indoor veteran
21. Brian BatesSlowed by injuries at combine
22. Tim MartinA-League vet missed combine with injury
23. Matt KnowlesTough to get past
24. Ramiro CorralesSize and skill, and very young (18)
25. Michael ClarkWent from Indiana U. to Richmond

Midfielders

1. *Adrian PazOutstanding Uruguayan playmaker
2. *Mauricio CienfuegosFirst-round pick if not allocated
3. Peter WoodringDangerous flank attacker
4. Brian HaynesA-League standout
5. Eddie CoronadoSix seasons in Bolivian First Division
6. Henry GutierrezRemarkable ball control
7. Paul BravoTechnically sound, versatile
8. Mark ChungDribbler with great speed
9. Peter HattrupPlayed left side for A-League champs
10. Altimont ButlerJamaican international
11. Erik ImlerExperienced and versatile
12. Shawn MedvedExperience adds value
13. Aleks JankovicYugoslav blessed with great skills
14. Goran HunjakIndoor goal machine
15. Kevin HolnessTwo goals for Canada at the Gold Cup
16. Geoff AungerSeven goals in A-League last year
17. Billy BaumhoffYoung and full of promise
18. Paul HolocherExperienced and dependable
19. Marcello CarreraTalented, but 34 years old
20. Billy ThompsonPlenty of pace

Forwards

1. *Juan Berthy SuarezCopa America vet for Bolivia
2. *Raul Diaz ArceSalvadoran played well at Gold Cup
3. Diego VieraU-23 international for Uruguay
4. Victor Mella21-year-old from Colo Colo
5. Ted EckJust keeps on scoring
6. Paul WrightIncredibly fast, good finisher
7. Jean HarborPowerful, explosive goalscorer
8. Jeff BaicherSupremely skilled and unorthodox
9. Peter VermesFormer U.S. international
10. Giovanni SavareseCan USISL star make the jump?
11. John Kerr, Jr.Hopes to stop bouncing around
12. Michael KingScores a lot indoors
13. Paul YoungFourth in USISL scoring (23 goals)
14. Tony SannehGreat touch, good size (6-2, 190)
15. Jason KreisThree-time all-America at Duke
16. Brian McBridePlayed in Germany last year
17. Rob UkropUSISL club Richmond’s top scorer (14 goals)
18. Bojan VukovicSecond in CISL Rookie of Year vote
19. Scott BenedettiHad a good APSL career
20. Eric EichmannShowed flashes at combine

*Designates a player who may be allocated prior to the draft.