I am not an expert. I am not a scout. For expert analysis go read Topdrawersoccer.com, sbisoccer.com, and Matthew Doyle's column at mlssoccer.com, just to name a couple.
* Generation Adidas signed player
1 Los Angeles FC: D Tomas Hillard-Arce
LAFC needs help in the midfield, but
there isn't much top-end talent there available in this draft. There
are a few high-upside forwards, but for my money LAFC will turn to
the safest pick in the draft; that is Hillard-Arce.
I've heard the arguments that LAFC
should shun a CB here since they already have Ciman and Zimmerman in
the fold. However, as of yet, they have not signed a third CB, and
Hillard-Arce would immediately be able to contribute in that
capacity. Hillard-Arce is the total package at CB, and should be a
MLS starter for years to come, and potentially, a future captain of
the team he joins.
The Galaxy have not made a selection
in the Superdraft since 2015. They traded or passed every pick in
2017 and 2016. I am doubtful they end up following through with this
selection. That said, it's rare that the Galaxy have an opportunity
to draft this high.
LA's pick will be dependent upon
whether or not they are willing to burn an international slot on a
draft pick. I'm doubtful. The Galaxy hope, like I believe many are,
that Hillard-Arce falls past the top selection. The best Americans on
the board are Chris Mueller and Mason Toye. Both of whom would be a
reach at 2. So, I think they go with the best talent on the board,
that's Ema Twumasi for me.
Twumasi is the best wide attacker in
the draft. He would fit in the Galaxy's lineup well on either flank.
He's much in the same vein as current starter, Emmanuel Boateng.
Atuahene is another attacker who
could get consideration here, as many believe he's the better
prospect, but I think Twumasi is the better fit. Joao Moutinho could
also be interesting; I could see LA drafting him, and making him
their CDM or LB of the future.
This pick may take many by surprise,
but I think it's a perfect fit. Bakero is known as highly skilled
college player, but lost in that description is his size. He's 6-3.
The knock on Bakero, besides his lack of athleticism, is his lack of
a true position. But, I don't see why he can't be a 9 for DC. He has
the size, and he has the finishing ability to succeed. Bakero would
also excel at connecting with his attackers: Acosta, Stieber, and
Arriola. Not to mention former Wake Forest teammate, Ian Harkes.
Bakero could also spell Acosta as a 10.
You could argue there are attackers
with higher upside available, Atuahene, or Toye. But, I think Bakero
uniquely fits here. DC United will certainly be another team hoping,
Hillard-Arce falls into their laps, but I expect him to be gone. I
would consider this to be the Cardinal senior's floor though. Joao
Moutinho would be another interesting selection here, as he is the
best defender on the board.
Montreal goes with the best player
available. Atuahene is potentially the best athlete in the class,
following three good years at Michigan. He's a great value at 4, as
several outlets (Top Drawer Soccer and Soccer By Ives) have him as
their top prospect in the draft.
I'm not sure where Atuahene fits on a
MLS squad. He's very direct, and doesn't connect with supporting
players as well. However, his natural talent is undeniable, and he's
unlike any attacker Montreal currently have. With Dzemaili headed
back to Italy, Montreal could revert back to a 4231; a front four
that included Atuahene, Jeisson Vargas, Piatti, and Jackson-Hamel
would be dangerous. Or, he could be used between Piatti and Vargas in
a 433.
There is some argument as to which
position is Moutinho's best moving forward. Is he a LB, CM, or CB.
The great news for Minnesota is, whichever they decide, he fills a
hole for them. Minnesota has some good pieces in the attack, but
still need to strengthen their defense. I think Moutinho the best
case scenario for Minnesota. In five years, we could find that
Moutinho is this draft's best player. He has the skills to be a
special player, regardless of the position he ends up at.
Toye is 6-3, in the midst of his
freshman year, and very good on the ball for his size. His name is
coming off the board early. In fact, this may be way too low for him.
Toye has high upside, and he's American. The American part is
especially important in this draft (with so many of the top prospects
taking up an international slot). Toye would fit well with Orlando,
taking Cyle Larin's spot alongside Dom Dwyer. Toye is an even better
parter up top for Dwyer than Larin. Larin and Dwyer occupy similar
space, but Toye, despite having the frame of a target striker, likes
to drift wide, and take defenders on the wing.
This is a little reach. However, I
think Fiddes makes sense for Montreal for several reasons. First, in
my mock Montreal already grabbed a high-upside attacker in Atuahene,
who fell to them at four. They can now use their second pick to fill
a more pressing need. Montreal has lost players across the backline
this offseason, Oyongo and Ciman, specifically. Second, Fiddes could
follow fellow full back, Jacob Nerwinski, who last year rode a strong
combine to the seventh selection (Vancouver). Fiddes would be
penciled in as a backup to newly acquired Raitala, and should see
first team minutes this year.
New England has back-to-back
selections at 8 and 9. Mo Adams may be the perfect player for New
England at 8. He fills a need as the best defensive midfielder in the
draft, he's on a generation adidas contract, and is also the best
player available. I think Mo Adams is undervalued, following
Syracuse's poor 2017 campaign. However, Adams is a workhorse,
incredible in the gym (he may have the biggest thighs in this draft
class), and a natural leader, being named captain his sophomore year.
This is a dream scenario for New England.
I initially had Chris Mueller here. I
think he fits New England well, and he could fit well anywhere in the
front three of a 442 diamond, along with Nemeth, Agudelo, and Nguyen
(assuming he's not headed to Vietnam). However, realizing
Blackmon was still available, I had to make the adjustment.
New England needs help along the back
line, and Blackmon is the best defender on the board. He's arguably
the best senior defender after Hillard-Arce. Blackmon is a right
back, but could see time at center back as well. He should be good
enough to see first team minutes this season.
Mueller is possibly the player I'm most interested in seeing physical performance scores for. Is he fast enough to play on the wing? Mueller is skilled, but undersized at 5-9, and lacks the physical gifts of top-five picks Atuahene and Twumasi. There is a big question regarding Mueller's best position. He's a creative midfielder, but MLS teams usually spend big on their 10, leaving little room there for superdraftees. This usually pushes college players to the wing, but we'll have to see how well Mueller plays there during the combine. If he can answer the questions surrounding his ability there then he should be picked higher (he's another skilled American, teams want to draft him).
11 FC Dallas: M Ken Krolicki
FC Dallas needs more CM depth,
despite drafting Jacori Hayes just a year ago. Krolick represents the
best CM available.
San Jose is one of the teams that still relies on the super draft to accumulate impactful players. I prefer Gallagher over other tier 2
forwards, like Daniel Musovski, by virtue of having seen him play.
Gallagher is versatile, and could fit on the wing at the next level.
Sporting just traded away their
number 10, Feilhaber, Santos could fit there, or on the wing. It's
hard to get concrete information on international slots, but it does
seem clear Sporting has several. Therefore, I like them to grab
Santos who is an interesting talent.
Atlanta grabbed 2017's top rookie,
Julian Gressel, with pick number eight a year ago. They will be
looking to grab another value here. Winn's versatile, and provides
depth across the front line.
Chicago has perhaps the best MLS-ready homegrown talent in the league. Grant Lillard just signed, and I'm hoping Gutman and Lindley are close behind. As a result, I think there's a chance Chicago dumps the pick. If they do hold onto the pick, Chicago could use depth at center forward. Daniel Musovski is one of the remaining tier two forwards.
16 New York Red Bulls: F Mohamed Thiaw
The Red Bulls build through their
homegrown academy more than the draft. However, what team couldn't
use a big center forward? Thiaw could be a great backup if he puts
things together.
This pick does not make sense.
Vancouver put a lot of stock in the combine last year, taking
standout Jake Nerwinkski. Jake Rozhansky just pulled himself from the
combine. Personally, I don't think Rozhansky could see himself fall
out of the first round due to this decsion. But, he is versatile, and
has first round talent.
Sporting KC has used many early picks
on defenders the last few years. Brandon Bye could become a quality
right back in time.
New York is not afraid to make a
splash in the draft. They'e moved up to grab a Generation Adidas
player in each of the last two drafts (Jack Harrison in 2016, yes,
I know they technically made the trade after Chicago drafed him, and
Jonathan Lewis a year ago). I think Gordon Wild is the biggest splash
to be made without predicting a trade out right. New York could use a
center forward behind Villa, and I'm still a believer in Wild. It
wouldn't shock me to see him light it up during the combine, and play
his way higher in the draft. Wild is a goal-scorer, and it'd be fun
to see him slot in between Harrison and Lewis for a couple games.
Wyatt Omsberg is a big (6-4) center
back. Houston needs help along the back line, then again, does't every team? Omsberg could find his stock rising with a successful combine.
Chris Lema is one of the best CM
available in this draft class, and somehow he has fallen in this
mock. Columbus should be thankful.
Why not? Seattle uses the draft
mostly to fill their USL squad anyway, and Roldan fits amongst the
other midfielders here.
This pick makes too much sense. I'm a big fan of Tim Kubel. He would have been a projected top-10 pick if he accepted a Generation Adidas offer after last season. Kubel had another stellar season, scoring 6 goals and adding 7 assists. I don't understand why he is falling on draft boards. Sure, he's an older prospect, and takes up an international slot, but I don't see why he can't be a MLS starter. I was tempted to take Kubel at several positions ahead of this. But, I like this fit way too much; I really want to see it happen. Kubel would be perfect as a right wingback, and Toronto just lost Steven Beitashour and Raheem Edwards. This becomes the pick of the draft, and Kubel becomes a dark-horse for rookie of the year.
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