The 2010 MLS Draft is just three weeks away and after all the success of the 2010 MLS Draft class, fans across the country are more anxious than ever to see just what treats this year's draft might have for their team.
The 2010 draft might not boast as many pro-ready standouts as last year's draft, but the upcoming draft might actually boast more depth at multiple positions. MLS looks poised to land most, if not all, of its top Generation adidas targets (though we decide to exlude Oregon State striker Danny Mwanga from the first Mock Draft since he's the draft pool standout looking least likely to sign with MLS).
So who is the top pick? It look like it would be Wake Forest standout defender Ike Opara, but with Philadelphia Union loading up on defensive players, we see Peter Nowak going for an attacking player.
Now, here is our first 2010 MLS Mock Draft:
SBI 2010 MLS Mock Draft
FIRST ROUND
1. Philadelphia Union- TEAL BUNBURY, F, Akron
Ike Opara is regarded by many as the top prospect, but with Philly already boasting Danny Califf and Shavar Thomas (and the club linked to a Colombian defender), the Union will go with Bunbury, the top forward in the draft. Philadelphia could also deal the pick to the teams that covet Opara.
2. New York Red Bulls- IKE OPARA, D, Wake Forest
The Red Bulls' defense was awful at times in 2009 and doesn't boast a single shutdown defender. Enter Opara, who some regarded as good enough to be a Top Three pick in 2009. He had shaky moments in the Under-20 World Cup, but Opara is a top-notch defender who should be able to step in and start from year one.
3. San Jose Earthquakes- TONY TCHANI, M, Virginia
The Earthquakes under Frank Yallop are notorious for not being big fans of the draft, but if they keep this pick it will be a tough call between Tchani and Corben Bone. Having lost Darren Huckerby (and Shea Salinas), Bone might be the better pick, but Tchani is a central midfield beast who could probably step in and start for San Jose.
4. Kansas City Wizards- CORBEN BONE, M, Wake Forest
The Wizards' most pressing need is help at forward, and Danny Mwanga would be an ideal pick here if he signed with MLS, but with a talent like Bone still on the board Kansas City will pounce on the dangerous playmaker.
5. FC Dallas- TONI STAHL, M, UConn
The word around MLS circles is that FC Dallas is looking to package these two picks to move up (with Opara making sense as a target). Dallas has enough young players, and Generation adidas players at that, so look for Schellas Hyndman to take the most MLS-ready players available. Stahl is a solid defensive midfielder who is as mature as any player in the draft.
6. FC Dallas- ANDRE AKPAN, F, Harvard
Dallas-area fans will be happy to see the hometown product returning to Texas, but Akpan is more than just a homer pick. He's arguably the best forward in the pool, and could be this draft's Chris Pontius.
7. D.C. United- ANDREW WIEDEMAN, F, California
D.C. United would love to land Tchani or Stahl here, and could be tempted to grab UCLA freshman Amobi Okugo to help address the losses of Ben Olsen and Andrew Jacobson, but will instead look to strike gold at forward again with a West Coast forward just as it did with Pontius last year. Wiedeman is a polished forward who could step in and earn minutes on a D.C. team expected to lose Luciano Emilio.
8. Columbus Crew- AMOBI OKUGO, M, UCLA
The Crew boast enough talent to take a chance on some younger players and perhaps no teenager in the draft is drawing as many raves as Okugo, a central midfielder mature beyond his 18 years.
9. New England Revolution- ZACH LOYD, M, North Carolina
The Revs always do well in the draft because they take proven and mature players. Enter Loyd, a player who could step in and replace Jeff Larentowicz if he leaves this winter as expected. Loyd can play defensive midfielder, but also proved this year that he can slide into a central defense role if needed.
10. Chivas USA- LUIS GIL, M, U.S. Under-17
The Goats don't have any glaring needs, though Jonathan Bornstein's potential departure could hurth Chivas USA in the back. Martin Vasquez can take a chance on a long-term prospect in Gil, who has the ability to potentially be the best player this draft produces. Only 16, he's technically gifted and someone who could develop into a franchise player under the right guidance.
11. Seattle Sounders- DILLY DUKA, M, U.S. Under-20
The Sounders are another team that doesn't have any glaringly obvious needs, so Sigi Schmid can go with the best available player here. Duka is a player who could step in and provide some depth at multiple spots in midfield, though he might need a year on the pro level to mature before he makes a real impact.
12. Columbus Crew- BLAIR GAVIN, M, Akron
Gavin might not seem like the right pick for the Crew after having landed Okugo, but Columbus will be hard-pressed to pass on another talented young midfielder who could provide depth (or trade bait). Columbus could go for Jack McInerney here as well.
13. Chicago Fire- OFORI SARKODIE, D, Indiana
The Fire enter the draft with several needs as a load of departures have depleted a once-deep roster. With Gonzalo Segares leaving and Brandon Prideaux retired, fullback is a need position and Sarkodie is regarded by many as the best fullback in the draft.
14. New York Red Bulls- AUSTIN DA LUZ, M, Wake Forest
Red Bulls fans won't be happy to see Duka go to Seattle, but Da Luz offers a nice consolation prize. He showed in the College Cup semifinals that he can play left wing very well and his creativity there could lead to good minutes right away. Now, if New York can succeed in bringing back Dave Van Den Bergh, you could see the Red Bulls take a player like Jack McInerney here.
15. Los Angeles Galaxy- ZACH SCHILAWSKI, F, Wake Forest
The Galaxy's recent infusion of Brazilians is expected to provide a boost of depth, but it didn't address potential needs up top. Schilawski was a standout for Wake Forest and is the type of dynamic player who could benefit greatly from playing alongside Landon Donovan and David Beckham.
16. Real Salt Lake-JACK McINERNEY, F, U.S. Under-17
The champions head into 2010 with all its key players set to return so there's not much on the need list. Adding a 17-year-old prospect as highly-regarded as McInerney makes the most sense, assuming McInerney slides this far. RSL could use a goalkeeper, but taking one here would be a reach.
SECOND ROUND
17. Philadelphia Union- KYLE NAKAZAWA, M, UCLA
The Union look for more attacking talent and find one in Nakazawa, who was a standout on the 2005 U.S. Under-17 World Cup team coached by Philly assistant John Hackworth.
18. New York Red Bulls-KWAME WATSON-SIRIBOE, D, UConn
Red Bulls already landed Opara, but you can't have too many central defender prospects and Watson-Siriboe gives New York the two best in the draft.
19. San Jose Earthquakes- PHIL EDGINGTON, D, Louisville
San Jose's defense was a mess in 2009, and while Frank Yallop will be counting the days until Jason Hernandez returns, he will do well to grab Edgington, a 6-foot-3 centerback from New Zealand.
20. Kansas City Wizards-SEAN JOHNSON, GK, Central Florida
The Wizards grab the best talent on the board in Johnson, the most highly-rated goalkeeper in the pool and a potential replacement for Kevin Hartman.
21. FC Dallas-ROSS LaBAUEX, M, Virginia
Yes, Dallas already scored Stahl in the first round, but LaBauex is actually a prospect at multiple positions, including right back, where his impressive athleticism could help him be an impact player.
22. Colorado Rapids-MICHAEL STEPHENS, M, UCLA
The Rapids won't mind landing Stephens here. A year ago Stephens was nearly a Generation adidas signing and someone who was considered a first-round talent. This year, Stephens has been lost in the shadow of all the underclassmen and could wind up slipping this far.
23. Colorado Rapids-RYAN PETERMAN, D, San Diego
After losing starting left back Jordan Harvey in the expansion draft, the Rapids grab the best left back on the board in Peterman (though hometown boy Nick Cardenas might be hard to pass up).
24. Toronto FC-NICK CARDENAS, D, San Diego State
Anyone who watched TFC late in the year knows they need help in the back, and 6-foot-5 Nick Cardenas is the best defender on the board.
25. New England Revolution-JOVAN BUBONJA, GK, Illinois-Chicago
The Revs always find a way to make out on draft day, don't they? After losing back-up goalkeeper Brad Knighton in the expansion draft, New England enters this draft needing to find a new one. How do they? They only land a goalkeeper who some scouts thought might be a first-round pick if he left school a year ago.
26. Chivas USA-CARLOS VILLA, F, Hartford
The Goats have plenty of forwards on the roster, but should unload some of them this winter. Villa is a Gutamalan youth national team player who could be a second-round steal.
27. Seattle Sounders-COLLEN WARNER, M, Portland
If the Sounders are hoping to find some attacking talent late, it could do worse than Warner, a dynamic midfielder who has the speed to move up top as well. The question is whether he will play himself into a higher position on draft boards at the Combine.
28. San Jose Earthquakes-CHRIS SCHULER, D, Creighton
The Earthquakes continue their defensive makeover by grabbing Schuler, a tough defender who some consider better than Edgington.
29. Chicago Fire-DREW YATES, F/M, Maryland
While Sarkodie helps offset the fullback losses, Yates could become Chicago's answer for the loss of Chris Rolfe. Though not as fast as Rolfe, Yates is a quick and versatile attacker who can play up top as well as on the wing.
30. San Jose Earthquakes-RONNIE BOUEMBOUE, F, North Carolina State
The Earthquakes could use some speed up to as well as depth on the wing. Enter Bouemboue, a fast forward who might project better as an MLS winger.
31.New York Red Bulls-SETH SINOVIC, D, Creighton
The Red Bulls will look to help address their left back needs by grabbing Sinovic, a highly-regarded prospect who nearly came out in the 2009 draft.
32.Real Salt Lake- BRIAN PERK, GK, UCLA
The champs traded back-up goalkeeper Chris Seitz to Philly, but land a quality prospect in Perk, who is cut from the Nick Rimando mold as a quick and aggressive shot-stopper (who also happens to come from goalkeeper factory UCLA).
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We will post our next Mock Draft next week, and Version 3.0 the day before the MLS Combine. The final Mock Draft will post the day before the 2010 MLS Draft.
What do you think of these picks? Like the players your team ended up with? Any pick you particularly love or hate?
Share your thoughts below.
in short, i think the draft is a lame idea.
… but it is exciting to see new prospects find there way into pro clubs… when else does every team sign 3-6 new talented players?
its a shame that players like Gil and Duka who could develop their game with out leaving home are likely to be “drafted” and assigned to some random club across the continent. i hope in the future the MLS discontinues the entry draft and allows rookies to enter the league as free agents. although this is a pipe dream, it would add an extra element of civic pride to our teams that other US pro sports lack.
in terms of development, we hear about how extra difficult it is on youth players to move abroad when they are 16-20 to adjust to life on there own in a new place, well how is this different, just inside the US/CAN?
in terms of player motivation, wouldn’t players like Danny Szetela or Duka be more motivated to play for their home town team than … where the MLS allocates them?
I’d bet Wiedeman would score more than Pontius did. He’s more MLS-ready as a striker.
The last thing Chivas USA needs is another of our up and coming Youngsters to sit on the bench.
I hope Gil goes to KC or Philly.
(SBI-Gil is sitting regardless of where he goes. He’s talented, but still too young to be considered someone who will be making an impact in 2010. If anything, going to Chivas USA keeps him closer to home and that could help his development.)
well you have to ask yourself this questions? What tradable assets does Seattle have that their willing to part with? here’s a suggestion. the 11 pick to TFC for their 24th pick carl robinson, and cash
I completely agree with alexandria. After Sashas trial with Celtic, they obviously thought he wasn’t worth 2.5 mill. In the end though, was it better for Sachas career? Maybe, his form dipped dramatically soon afterwords, so he could of dug himself a deep hole in Celtics depth charts. In the end i think it was good for Sacha and good for MLS to have kept another well known face.
I hear you. And with Cunningham, Dax and Pearce all being called up for the recent nat camps, i can see them being extra motivated to succeed coming into nxt year. But overall, i dont see why are team can’t began next year like we ended last year.
And I agree Akpan, would be an ideal player for us, but i can see him going possibly higher then 5th.
haha you can have any combination of blake wagner, bruno guarda and steve purdy, while id gladly take Dejan Jakovic, Dejan Jakovic or Santino Quaranta off your teams hands
For every 1 player that turns out a star, there are 30 players that Ives and others get excited about who do just about nothing. I think Houston is proof that the draft is no big thing.
(SBI-Which draft did this scenario play out in where I got excited about 30 draft prospects who flopped? Way to bring something to the discussion.)
I agree with what you say, but as a Sounders fan I’m hoping they move up and get a top 5 pick. Here’s what GM Hanauer said: “We want to score more goals next season. Part of that may be accomplished by players who have a season of MLS under their belts, some may come from better training and preparation, and some may be the result of personnel changes. Getting better in the off-season is a priority…” He could be including the draft but not likely?
Oh boo hoo! MLS raised the price on him… yeah to 2.5 million dollars, the same club that couldnt afford that just spent 2 million pounds on a south korean kid that even he says they didn’t scout that much. So save me the MLS ruined his chance nobody knows how sascha trained when he went to celtic, you don’t in the least find it convienient that they didn’t want to pay the price after he trained with them?
Bunbury? YES PLEASE!!!
*The answer for the Nats at playmaking central mid.
Exactly. Klejstan is certainly not playing well right now but to act like he never had a good run of form or was never highly regarded is clueless. He was supposed to be the answer at playmaking central mid.
So is Duka basically a younger version of Feilhaber? Creative, skillfull, composed with bite on the defensive end?
Warshaw is a junior. He will return to Stanford next year.
He had potential; He was going to go to Celtic were it not for MLS upping his price a bit to much. Then he had the chance of being a highly-paid player and playing in a good league taken away from him, which no doubt weighed on his confidence and had a part in his dip in form.
Seattle also became a completely different team (for the worst) when either Alonso or Evans was out, so a top DM might be their first choice. I see Striker and DM their first two choices, any order. Trading Jaqua and Vagenas could give them some nice cash, improve team speed, and a chance to move up in draft.
(SBI-The top strikers and DMs are gone by the time Seattle picks, so they can either reach for one badly or they can grab a good talent in Duka, who actually is supposed to have some good bite in central midfield and wouldn’t be a bad central midfield back-up. They could go for someone like Schilawski, but Seattle might be in position to trade down. I bet New York would be interested in that pick of Duka was available there.)
I say Brooks goes in the 1st round after a good showing at the mls combine
Kjlestan? did you just say Kjlestan and Good together?
Living in the Boston area, I’ve seen Akpan play a few times and I’m just not impressed. Disclaimer–I follow the Revs much more than I do the college game, therefore, I qualify my opinion.
I can say that in the Harvard matches I attended over the last few years, while Akpan has shown good instinct on some of his runs, he’s also struck me as slow (in fact in those matches, I’ve seen him either called off, or he has taken himself out of the play so not to be called off) because he’s just too lethargic about tracking back after a run. His fitness looks really questionable. And though that can be improved under the right direction, I’m not sure his attitude can.
His ball skills aren’t anything special. Granted, I know he’s a candidate for the Hermann, but he’s racked up respectable numbers playing in the Ivy League–which ain’t exactly the ACC.
From what I’ve seen, he might develop into a decent, if not exceptional, product. But to do so, he would have to work considerably. I think he’s over-rated.
I think NYRB fans can relax, I don’t see Seattle taking Duka. He may be the best at that pick but he doesn’t fit any immediate need. Seattle even with Montero, Jaqua, Zakuani, and Ljungberg, had very long scoreless stretches at home. Their management has promised that an improved attack is #1 target. If they don’t trade for a proven attacker, I see them taking the best striker available.
(SBI-Drafting for an immediate need isn’t something playoff teams tend to do in MLS later in the first round. Also, the forwards available by the time Seattle picks are rated lower than Duka and aren’t players who would threaten to start anyway, so you either take Duka or some lesser-valued forward who won’t play much anyway. If anything, I could see Seattle looking for some defensive depth. I actually had Duka slipping to the Red Bulls at 14 in an earlier mock draft and could see it happening.)
” losses of … and Andrew Jacobson”
Must have missed – what has happened to Jacobsen? Foot again, or has he signed/traded somewhere?
(SBI-Went to Philadelphia in expansion draft.)
Yeah, you have a lot of young players. But one could argue that veterans are more needed. By trading those picks, you could get some players to teach the rest how to make that talent impact the league.
Speaking both honestly, and as a DC fan. We have way too many older, but skilled players who could provide support to your ranks.
It’s not about excitement, at least not immediately. It’s about figuring out where some of the nation’s best football players will be developing for years to come. Understand that some good American internationals have come from the draft. Eddie Lewis, Cobi Jones, Maurice Edu, Sasha Kljestan, and Brian McBride have all come from the draft. It’s an important event for the development of the MLS.
Akpan, in my opinion, is the guy we need to pick up as a natural replacement for Cunningham, and as a backup, Cunningham is getting old and he’s not the smartest forward I’ve ever seen.
I see Bone playing like Dax, workhorse in the middle to spray passes around, but I see Bone pushing higher up the field playing in a more advanced role.
Either of these 2 Dallas area players would make me happy.
I really hope we don’t trade away our two picks, 5 & 6 in this draft puts FCD in a fantastic position for the future.
And if we can start the season like we ended it, then we don’t really need any players stepping into the starting line-up right away anyways.
I have read that the parents are really big on education so I wouldn’t be surprised if Kofi stayed 4 years
stan’s head is in london. he doesn’t know here from there.
Im a bigger fan of Freshman/sophmore standouts then Seniors haveing a great year while playing down to 18/19 year olds.
Im not suprised
Alex Dixon
Shawn Barry
Hasani Sinclair
are not in the draft. They should be, but MLS loves its SENIOR citizens.
Dumb question most likely: What about the younger Sarkodie? Will Kofi stay in for sure? I know his brother stayed til his senior year and it sure didn’t hurt, but man, I thought Kofi was electric in the college cup. Ugh, I know I must look like an idiot…but it’s Christmas?
(SBI-Not at all a dumb question. Kofi Sarkodie had a great NCAA Tournament, and I really think he’d be one of the best fullbacks in the draft if he came out, but all I keep hearing is that he won’t come out this year so that’s why he’s not in the conversation. If that changed, you can bet he’d be a top prospect.)
I could see Duka going to the Sounders. They seem to be a team full of players who are all good on the ball, so Duka would fit right in. It might not be long before Dilly gets a shot in the MLS.
Both 1st rounders and VBD for the #2 and Richards. I could go for that as a red bull fan
Easy, pick a mediocre player to go with a mediocre coach :)) lousy Christmas gift from DCU FO…specially after reading Lalas’ piece on available coaches
Vamos United
Also, does anyone know the current allocation order? That could play into how dallas deals their picks being that Im sure they want Lee Nguyen.
And i do hope we trade back Van Den Bergh back to NY and use the cash towards Ferreira. He was solid last year, but we have faster wingers that can contribute differently (and more ideally in my opinion) with their speed and technique.
Here are a couple scenarios i think could happen.
1. Dallas deals both 1st rounders with Van den Berg to NY for their 2nd overall pick and cash and/or player.
2. Dallas deals both rounders to union and player/cash for the number 1 overall pick then in a separate deal, they trade Van Den Bergh to NY for cash and/or Kanji or Dane Richards
no idea who these people are. the draft has never really excited me.
If Dallas could land Opara, then we could slide Ihemelu into his preferred right back spot. As for Pearce, I think he might put pressure on Hyndman to play him at the LB, where Benitez was last year (and was rock solid), because he’s vying for a place on the nats. Otherwise, Hyndman’s talked about Pearce playing the left wing and idk if Benitez could play it.
Otherwise, based on whether they can keep Ferreira, I think They’ll look to draft an impact playmaker or forward.
Given that Marošević didn’t play much at all last year, i doubt he’s ready to be a full time back up to cunningham.
If dallas, can’t keep ferreira, i can see them keeping both picks.
Any word on Benitez’s status for nxt year with Dallas? Whats the deal?
It’s likely to be Onalfo, but I’ll be damned if I can tell how he’ll mold the team, especially with Kasper and Payne whispering into his ear.
Emilio is a proven goalscorer. The problem is that he is more of a poacher than anything else. He doesn’t create on his own and his concentration is lacking. However, given the right team or situation, he can continue to be a double-digit forward. Columbus could use that given Moreno’s departure and the potential loss of GBS. TFC, KC, CUSA, and SJ also need a proven goalscorer. The question is whether a team in MLS can match what he’s asking for or provide the kind of service he thrives one.
If DCU doesn’t have a coach by draft day they are best suited to go for best player available…without knowing the tactical approach of the new coach picking by position could ultimately be a waste for both the team and player
Would love Tchani to fall to DC
I can’t see the Raps passing up hometown boy Nick Cardenas. They’ve got those two picks in a row, and IMO he has more upside than Peterman. A no-brainer. Bring him home, Stan.
Who wants Emilio? DC needs to go invest in a foreign striker with some speed and power.
DC United needs speed. There we go.
Needs speed. Don’t think Wiedeman fits the bill. Would love to trade Emilio for some higher picks.
Wasn’t Hall supposed to be the solution to LM for NY? How many times is NY going to try and reinvent the wheel?
(SBI-Hall isn’t a natural left winger. He played there one year for Maryland and Red Bulls fans assumed that’s where he’d play in MLS. Hall’s natural position is right wing, which is where I think he’d be a better option than Dane Richards. New York could deal Richards and slide Hall into the lineup.)
Love the Red Bulls’ haul. Solves CB and LM.
Dc could do worse than Wiedemann. The question for DC is what player is available than can help them right away. Wiedemann could be another Pontius, but I think Sarkodie or Siriboe could be another Alston/Barnes type player that could help a backline that needs work. At the same time, DC is likely hoping that Stahl or Tchani drop to them, as they have taken some major blows to the CM spot over the last month or so.
Any idea what will happen with Stanford’s Bobby Warshaw? I know him from my family’s hometown in Mechanicsburg, PA. He was named a finalist for the Herman Trophy and was an All-American? Does he have a shot of getting in the MLS?
Would gladly take Sarkodie.