Here is my second attempt at predicting the first round the MLS SuperDraft, following this past week's combine. Only six picks remain the same from a week ago. Five players who I had in the first round last time have fallen off the mock draft, including Jake Rozhansky, who opted out of the combine to sign with a club in Israel.
Here it goes:
1. Los Angeles FC: D Joao Moutinho*
Previous Pick: Tomas Hillard-Arce
Moutinho has proven to be the best talent available in the draft. He has an exceptional left foot, and has the makings of a special player once he settles at a position. He could spend time at CB, LB, CM this season. He helps fill holes for the expansion side, and could be a key piece for years to come
2. Los Angeles Galaxy: F Francis Atuahene*
Previous Pick: Ema Twumasi
Atuahene has moved ahead of Twumasi on my board. Atuahene consistently threatened on the wing during the combine. He is great at finding space, and attacking defenders, but needs to work on his final ball. Atuahene is not quite as good of a prospect as Abu Danladi from a year ago; Danladi was much more lethal striking the ball towards goal. I don't expect LAG to hold onto the pick, but if they did, Atuahene would be the best attacker available. Hillard-Arce would be another solid pick as a potential CB anchor.
3. DC United: F Jon Bakero
Previous Pick: Bakero
This pick stays the same. Here's what I said a week ago,
"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."
Bakero had an excellent combine, proving to be the most MLS ready player available in the draft. He isn't an out-and-out striker, but he is very crafty, skilled, and a good finisher to boot (pun intended).
4. Impact Montreal: D Tomas Hillard-Arce
Previous Pick: Francis Atuahene
The Impact become big winners as Hillard-Arce falls to them at four, and he will help to replace the departed Ciman. THA had a less than stellar combine, but he should not fall farther than this position. He does not have as high an upside as some of the attackers in this draft, or Moutinho, but he should be a solid starter in MLS for years. Reports were THA aced team interviews as well.
5. Minnesota United FC: F Chris Mueller
Previous Pick: Joao Moutinho
Minnesota would love for one of the defenders to fall to them, but neither will. That leaves a variety of attacking talents. I think Mueller is the best fit, considering the players already in Minnesota. Mueller performed well in the physical drills portion of the combine, and should be able to be a creative presence on the wing, or sitting behind Danladi and/or Ramirez.
6. Orlando City SC: F Mason Toye*
Previous Pick: Toye
Another pick that stays the same, Toye had a mixed performance at the combine. He has some of the highest upside of any player in the draft. Here's what I wrote last time:
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.
7. Impact Montreal: F Ema Twumasi*
Previous Pick: Justin Fiddes
Since they helped plug the gap on defense with their first pick, Montreal can take a high upside attacker here. Twumasi had a lackluster combine, but could be an impact talent for a team like Montreal. There's some debate whether Twumasi is best out wide, or centrally, here they can try him at both, and let him figure it out.
8. New England Revolution: M Mo Adams*
Previous Pick: Adams
This pick is unchanged, although there is some chatter that New England will package their picks to move up, with Mason Toye looking like their intended target. I Mo Adams was late to the combine due to Visa issues. However, he showed up to play on the final day, proving he's the best CM available. Adams is the best ball-winner, and plays smart, constantly moving to provide a safe outlet for teammates.
9. New England Revolution: D Tristan Blackmon
Previous Pick: Blackmon
Another pick that remains unchanged. Several full backs performed well during the combine, but Blackmon remains the best two-way player. There are others with a higher upside, but Blackmon should be able to contribute this year at either RB or CB.
10: Real Salt Lake: F Ed Opoku*
Previous Pick: Chris Mueller
Real Salt Lake take the attacker with the most upside remaining. Opoku looked a tier below his fellow Right to Dream Generation Adidas compatriots, Atuahene and Twumasi. However, he has great speed, and is confident on the ball. He strengthens an already deep position for RSL.
11. FC Dallas: D Wyatt Omsberg
Previous Pick: Ken Krolicki
Wyatt Omsberg shocked everyone at the combine. He was the only player to record a top-five speed (30m dash) time, and a top-five agility time (shuttle run), and he did it at 6'4". Omsberg did alright on the field during the combine as well. He should be a high pick on Friday.
12. San Jose Earthquakes: F Brian White
Previous Pick: Jon Gallagher
White outperformed a deep group of potential wingers. He showed good hustle on both ends, and quality on the ball. He scored a penalty, after earning the foul, and also set up a teammate for an assist.
13. Sporting KC: D Brandon Bye
Previous Pick: Rafael Andrade Santos
With Abdul-Salaam gone, SKC could use more help at full back. Brandon Bye, a converted forward, represents the full back with, perhaps, the most upside in the draft. Attacking is obviously his forte; he will still need to work on the defensive end.
14: Atlanta United: D Lucas Stauffer
Previous Pick: F Alan Winn
Lucas Stauffer was one of the biggest winners in the draft, playing well across the defensive line. Atlanta picks up a player capable of spelling multiple positions. Stauffer actually had his best game, while playing left back, although he is a natural right back. He played the majority of the final two games on the right side of a back three.
15: Chicago Fire: F Mohamed Thiaw
Previous Pick: Daniel Musovski
Chicago could use a forward behind Nikolic. Thiaw is a strong, 6'2", forward, who spent most of the combine on the wing. He had an uneven performance this past week, but showed some brilliant flashes with a variety of skills for a center forward.
16: New York Red Bulls: D Mark Segbers
Previous Pick: Mohamed Thiaw
The Red Bulls grab one of several rising right backs. Segbers is a good athlete, and is in his element went getting forward, and attacking defenders. He will need to work on his 1v1 defending, but he's looked capable there.
17. Vancouver Whitecaps: M Chris Lema
Previous Pick: Jake Rozhansky
The Whitecaps would do well to secure Lema, following the departure of Nosa. Lema controlled the game from the back nicely for his team. He distributes the ball nicely, and can even put a nice shot on goal. Lema is good on defense as well, but there are better ball-winners in this class. He is more of a combo 6-8 than a natural at either position.
18. Sporting KC: F Mamadou Guirassy
Previous Pick: Brandon Bye
SKC need a striker, and they get one in Guirassy, who led the nation in scoring last year. He also had a tremendous combine. Vermes will love how hard Guirassy works throughout the game. Guirassy is a complete forward, as he's strong, good on the ball, can battle with CBs, and strikes the ball well.
19. New York City FC: F Daniel Musovski
Previous Pick: Gordon Wild
NYCFC need another forward, and although Musovski had a poor combine, he is still one of the best goal scorers in this draft. I initially had Gordon Wild here, and I still love that pick, but I think NYC goes with someone else. Musovski was played wide throughout the combine, and not given many opportunities centrally, where he thrives.
20. Houston Dynamo: F Gordon Wild*
Previous Pick: Wyatt Omsberg
Wild had a terrible first game at the combine. However, he came back in the second and third, making some special plays. He looks like a natural on the right side, cutting to get onto his left foot. However, he was forced right several times, and put in some good crosses, and shots, with his weaker foot. Wild's best play came from his team's own half, where he won the ball, and put the ball on a dime across the pitch, hitting Atuahene in stride.
21: Columbus [for now] Crew: D Justin Fiddes
Previous Pick: Chris Lema
Columbus lost two left backs (Francis and Raitala) this offseason. Fiddes is the best one in this draft.
22: Seattle Sounders: M Alex Roldan
Previous Pick: Roldan
This pick stays the same. Roldan is versatile, and does a lot of things well. He had a solid combine, and looked like one of the best central midfielders in the class.
23: Toronto FC: D Tim Kubel
Previous Pick: Kubel
This pick also stays the same. Kubel failed to stand out during the combine, but I don't care. He needed to prove he could defend well enough, and he defended ably. Unfortunately, he was stuck playing in a back three, because they were short central defenders, and that limited Kubel's opportunities. He never really came forward for this reason. Still, Toronto need to replace Beitashour, and Kubel is the best right wingback left (with Bye, Seghers, and Stauffer off the board). Kubel is still very good coming forward, and if given the opportunity he could be a dark horse rookie of the year candidate.
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