With the MLS Combine in the books, it is time to start looking toward Thursday's 2010 MLS Draft.
In case you haven't seen them, here is my First Round Mock Draft for ESPN.com, as well as my list of players who had their stock rise or fall at the Combine. As far as the stock moving story, those were far from the only players to help or hurt their stock, but just a handful of each.
Since I know many of you have all sorts of questions about the draft, I figured it was as good a time as any to do a Q&A. Post your draft-related questions in the comments section below and I will answer as many of them as I can for Wednesday. I will also be posting a new two-round Mock Draft (maybe three rounds if time permits) as well as the final Big Board before the Draft. Both posts will appear on Wednesday.
Send your questions my way.
On Mwanga:
YES. He is already better than most of the current starting strikers in MLS.
The best should play.
Period!
Based only on quality, Mwanga is by far not only the best player in every respect, but likely the only player who could be successful in Europe.
All things being equal, his biggest advantage is Soccer IQ – something the prototypical American player is deficient in.
Okugo has much greater potential than Jozy.
Excellent post my man!
Looks like you know something about this game…
OMG! Lord help us!
Not a bad comparison ELAC.
I think of Irving as a “Burrito” Ortega … remember him?
Excellent post man! You hit the mark!
This is one of the greatest obstacles US Soccer must overcome to reach the next level. Technical Quality & Soccer IQ needs to be the primary focus – not size. Wake up people!
I don’t think Gil will be turning pro this year.
Irving is probably the most underrated player. Glad that he raised some eyebrows at the combine.
But some continue to think about his size. So I take it the same sentiment would be expressed with a Xavi, Iniesta, or Messi?
Perplexing!
You are much better off with any other defender. I still can’t believe people believe Opara that good.
Oh well, you’ll find out soon enough …
Draft quality is pretty haphazard. The last couple of years have been good. Before that there had been a couple of down years (2008 was awful).
I’m betting people won’t say the 2011 crop is deep.
If at all possible, the US should try to expedite citizenship and cap him ASAP!
Greetings from LA as well.
Perk Yes – The US has no problems developing and identifying keepers.
Stephens. A big fat NO! He is very overrated. Decent technique, but horrendous Soccer IQ.
Estrada is a decent college player. Professional? C’mon! Another Stephens.
Nakazawa Yes – I can’t speak to his motivation/work ethic like the other commenter here. But he has good technical quality and a higher Soccer IQ than many others in the pool along with flashes of creativity.
You sir, no some soccer!
Where does Eric Alexander get drafted? I’ve been watching this kid since high school, he’s the real deal, and he had as good of a combine as anyone.
How did John Moore play at the combine? What players outside of the combine do you see getting drafted?
Recently (past 3 years or so) it seems like draft classes are being labeled as very deep. Is this because the players are really better quality? … Or is it because the talent in MLS is getting thinned out due to expansion and attrition to Europe, so these new players seem really good and able to contribute right away?
well, at least our coaches have been disinterested,and look where it’s gotten us. the fans on the other hand are excited. actually, with two deep drafts in a row, i expect that to change and teams to be less reluctant to throw these away in the future. i’m hoping we hold on to the 3rd pick and take whoever’s still available out of tchani, opara, bone, or maybe loyd.
Love the sight. I’m a huge Chicago Fire fan. It seems they are in need of a ceterback, leftback, and midfielder. Who all could you see them drafting?
Hey Ives,
Here’s one that is bugging me. Why can’t the Red Bulls sign Dilly Duka directly since he came through their youth system? Why should they have to waste a pick in the draft potentially? If so, whats the point of even having a youth system then?!
With his potential decision to stay and finish school, do you see Opara potentially falling out of the top 5 a la Patrick Nyarko?
Some Rev fans guess that Emmanuel Osei may be moved from CB to Dmid if Larentowicz leaves, and thus might draft Kwame Watson-Siriboe in the first round. Thoughts?
Do you see any likelihood that the Revs might be involved in any trades?
Ives
1. What is the limit on the number of Generation Adidas contract per team? Is FCD at risk of going over?
2. Is Mwanga a smart choice at #1? Do you see him starting immediately and making a big impact in Philly?
Thanks
I was at the combine, the main man at the combine was Tchani, he is a beast in the midfield. Definitely someone that will seek to play in Europe. Red Bulls will pick him up without a doubt.. You RBNY fans need to get off of Dukas nuts!! He wasn’t even in the Top 15 players at the combine. He is like 3 years away from making a serious impact in MLS if he even gets the chance to play.
How do teams prepare for the Draft?
Red Bulls don’t have the 11th pick unless I missed something
Duka didn’t qualify as a homegrown at the time under the current rules
From your description of Irving Garcia, he sounds like he would be a perfect fit for RSL.
Ives,
If for some weird reason both Da Luz and Duka are available for the Red Bulls, who would you take? If it is true that the team will take Tchani, who will be a better compliment in that midfield
Cheers
Any chance the Crew would trade #8 for #14 & 18?
It seems as though your latest mock draft is very similar to your mock draft before the combine. In looking at the order, there are no players who entered the first round after the combine. Could you shed some light on how this could possibly be the case? Are you a clairvoyant?
This could get confusing, but here goes: With all of the foreign talent in college, do you see it as:
1. A good thing: it raises the level of competition in college and MLS, while also giving American players more experience against better players.
2. A bad thing: college and MLS roster slots that could be filled by American players are filled by foreign players, possibly helping foreign youth players develop faster than American born players.
I completely am in support of anyone coming into this country legally and enjoying the fruits of their labor. In terms of soccer, it only helps MLS grow as a whole and makes the product on the field better, as more players are going abroad.
Love to see Red Bull package the 11th and 14th picks to jump up to 7 or 8 to pick Duka. Be a shame not to see him playing in Harrison.
A Tchani-Duka midfield could become the team’s future in the center of the field until they both go off to Europe in 2-3 years. At least they’ll likely fetch a nice transfer fee assuming they develop…
What teams/coaches would you say are best for young future stars like Gil, Duka and McInerney?
Also in the future when every team has a functioning youth system do you see the draft being phased out or of lesser importance?
What are the chances of DC taking McInerney? Seeing as they were thinking of taking Wiedeman, and he probably is going to fall.
Hey Ives,
Thanks for the excellent coverage so far, really helpful and insightful.
If the season started tomorrow, where would you play Tchiani? Is he best as a holding/attacking/box to box mid right now?
Also, NYRB hold the most picks in Thursday’s draft, do you expect them to make moves up/down or sit tight and use all the picks?
Thanks,
Dan
Which teams have $$ available to trade up in the draft.
Which teams will trade up in the draft for $$ or players.
Which team will give up draft spots for players or $$$.
Thanks for all the in depth coverage of the draft. Which player do you think will have progressed the farthest in 5 years (in terms of club playing on, international form, media/peer recognition)?
good question. also could we see Gil be “placed/drafted” by one of the LA teams like Adu was put on DC?
I’ve seen John Moore play a bit in college and think he’s (on your board) vastly underrated. Big, athletic, good in the air and a decent distributor. Did you see him at all and of what you saw, what were your impressions in terms of him playing in MLS?
Hey Ives,
Did Justin Davis, F from University of New Mexico, play at the combine? I saw his name on the list before it took place but haven’t heard anything since. If so how did he look?
There ain’t not draft anymore.
There was one.
Your thoughts?
i cant stand the scouts in this country first thing they always say. ” he too small ” We need to get away from emphasizing size so much. its how we end up with Alan Gordons. AJ de La Garza is small, Sean franklin is small, both have been great for the galaxy. I hope we take a chance on him It would totally make me look at Bruce in a different light. Good on Irving its great to see something different brough to the combine.
Ives, Just a random comment that I’m putting here figuring you’ll read it.
I know you’re super busy with the draft, but some posts on how Algeria is doing at the ANC would be awesome. I saw they lost the first 3-0…a post after the group stage summarizing what happened and what scouts who watched the games have learned about them would be awesome. Thanks in advance. Stay Busy!
IVES: Can you list off which players are US eligable or have expressed an interest in playing for the US if they have dual citizenship?
How good is Eric Alexander? How much did he raise his stock at the combine?
Ives, how did this draft class compare to last year’s class? where would it rank in the history of MLS?
Which of these guys can you see playing for the USMNT (in the future) outside of those who have already played in an U-20 ect. teams.
He could be the next Cienfuegos.