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MLS Draft Team Recap: Chivas USA

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Robin Fraser knows a thing or two about being a part of and overseeing a strong defense, and he used that knowledge when making Chivas USA's first pick in the draft by picking up Akron's Zarek Valentin.

After picking at No. 4, Chivas traded back into the first round, acquiring Real Salt Lake's first-round pick (No. 14 overall) in exchange for allocation money. The Goats used that pick to take Ecuadorian striker Victor Estupinan, one of the standout performers at the MLS Combine.

With its third-round pick, Chivas grabbed Brown's versatile Jon Okafor, someone who can chip in at midfield and defense.

Valentin is the headliner of the team's class and figures to step in immediately at right back for Chivas, which struggled in the back last year but has also added Jimmy Conrad in the offseason through the Re-Entry Draft. SBI's Mike Nastri was able to speak with Valentin during the draft. Video is after the jump:

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/18766464 w=440&h=292]

Zarek Valentin Draft from Soccer By Ives on Vimeo.

Comments

  1. I wasn’t. I’m a Brown alum and have been going to games occasionally for over 20 years. Okafor really stood out this season and thrived in a very defensive-oriented team. He’s a good grab for Chivas due to his versatility, and I think with some development, he can be a very solid player in MLS.

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  2. I don’t think AEG would go for that, but they do need their own home field. Even CF San Diego would have a nice Latin ring to it. There are tons of soccer fans of all cultures that would fill up the stadium.

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  3. Rebrand, yes. Maybe. Who knows?

    Moving to San Diego, nope. Maybe for training.

    We’re moving to Downtown Los Angeles.

    Expect the announcement in the Spring.

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  4. Can somebody give me more info on Okafor? Agree about Valentin. Estupinan sounds like he wants to kill for Chivas USA. We haven’t has that since Jesse Marsch left.

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  5. I agree okafor will have an impact but I believe Valentin will have a bigger impact. He’s young,talented and versatile as he can play both right back and center back. He by far has the most potential in this class. Hopefully we can keep reading up on him and his akron teammates in the future making huge strides for the league as whole organization.

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