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SBI’s College Best XI Draft Prospects

AkronUNC (ISIphotos.com)

With the 2010 MLS Draft class looking like it could be one of the best in league history, and with the 2009 draft class also having impressed, more and more eyes are focusing on the talent being produced on the college level.

This year should be just as good, if not better, with a plethora of young standouts ready to impress scouts across the country. A handful of top U.S. youth national team players will be taking the fields at colleges throughout the nation and MLS scouts will be watching closely.

Some of the best places to look for that top talent are the places you would expect. Akron, Virginia and Maryland will feature some of the nation's best talent as they all vie for the College Cup title.

So who will be the next Steve Zakuani, Omar Gonzalez, Danny Mwanga or Tim Ream? Here is SBI's Best XI draft prospects heading into the 2010 college season:

SBI's Best XI to watch for the 2011 MLS Draft

DARLINGTON NAGBE, Akron, Jr.

DarlingtonNagbe 
Steve Zakuani and Teal Bunbury have passed through Akron in recent years as goal-scoring terrors and this year's Zips are likely to be led by Nagbe (pictured at the top), a player considered by many to be the most talented and dangerous offensive player in the country.

Adept at playing up front, out wide or in a playmaking role, Nagbe combines blazing speed with good technical ability and he is a good bet to surpass his ten goals scored in 2009. If he is signed by MLS this winter he could be the first player chosen in the 2011 MLS Draft.

ZACK MACMATH, Maryland, Jr.

ZacMacMath 
A starter on the U.S. Under-20 national team, MacMath is a highly-coveted goalkeeper who just spent time training with English club Everton. Before he turns pro, and there seems little doubt he will after this season, MacMath will look to win his second national championship in three years.

DILLON POWERS, Notre Dame, So.

DillonPowers
A dominant force in central midfield, Powers can spark the attack with his passes while also displaying a tireless workrate in the middle of the park. He starred for the U.S. Under-20 national team during its Milk Cup Tournament title run and looks like a safe bet to leave school two years early. 

KOFI SARKODIE, Akron, Jr.

KofiSarkodie 
The best fullback in the nation, Sarkodie is a lockdown defender on the right flank, but it is his ability to get forward that has scouts drooling. A U.S. Under-20 national team defender, Sarkodie possesses unmatched athleticism as well as the ability to serve good crosses. MLS was interested in him for the 2010 MLS Draft, so look for him to be a high draft pick in 2011.

ZAREK VALENTIN, Akron, So.

ZarekValentin 
A versatile and skilled defender who can play centrally and at fullback, Valentin is another player who impressed at the Milk Cup with the U.S. Under-20 team. Whether he plays left back or central defense, Valentin is key to keeping Akron's defense solid as the Zips throw numbers forward. He's young, but Valentin is already on the MLS Generation adidas radar and is a good bet to be offered a deal this winter.

BILLY SCHULER, North Carolina, Jr.

BillySchuler 
Quick, intelligent and a deadly finisher, Schuler is a striker who plays older than he is and he will be key to UNC's title hopes. A former U.S. Under-17 national team player, Schuler has impressed scouts with his technical ability and nose for goal. If he can enjoy another strong season in the tough ACC, Schuler will be a good bet to sought after by MLS this winter.

ETHAN WHITE, MARYLAND, So.

EthanWhite
One of the best young defenders in the nation last year, White propelled himself onto pro radars after impressing at the Milk Cup with the U.S. Under-20 team. Strong, athletic and versatile, White anchor's Maryland's defense and has a chance to play himself into a pro deal with another stellar season for the Terps.

A.J. SOARES, California, Sr.

AJSoares
Strong, tenacious and good in the air, Soares drew attention from MLS scouts last year, but another year could help him develop his game to a point where he could be an MLS-ready centerback by 2011. A dominant defender in the Pac-10, Soares is also a threat to score.

ANTHONY AMPAIPITAKWONG, Akron, Sr.

AnthonyAmpaipitakwong 
Energetic, creative and dangerous, Ampaipitakwong helps keep the Akron attack moving and scouts are already sizing up his ability to unsettle defenses. His quickness and passing ability should be on full display this year and it's tough to see him not being a first-round pick come the 2011 MLS Draft.

CASEY TOWNSEND, Maryland, Jr.

CaseyTownsend 
As a freshman on the Maryland championship team Townsend looked like a can't-miss forward prospect. Injuries put a damper on his freshman campaign, but scouts still remember the skills he showed in 2008 and will be watching closely to see how he develops this season. A pure goal-scorer who doesn't need much room to get off his shot, Townsend partners with Jason Herrick on one of the nation's top strike forces.

BRIAN OWNBY, Virginia, Jr.

BrianOwnby 
Scouts seem to be torn on how to rate Ownby. Some question his technical ability and toughness, but his fans love the blazing speed and willingness to go at defenders. Staying healthy has been an issue for the former U.S. Under-20 national team player, but if he is healthy this year he could play himself into a Generation adidas deal.

SECOND TEAM

GK- Jeff Attinella, South Florida, Sr.

D- Andrew Wenger, Duke, So.

D- Greg Monaco, Virginia, Jr.

D- Aaron Maund, Notre Dame, Jr.

M- Matt Kassel, Maryland, Jr.

M- Bernardo Anor, South Florida

M- Michael Farfan, North Carolina, Sr.

M- Rich Balchan, Indiana, Sr.

F- Will Bruin, Indiana, Jr.

F- Erik Hurtado, Santa Clara, So.

F- Will Bates, Virginia, So.

THIRD TEAM

GK- Diego Restrepo, Virginia, Sr.

D-Sacir Hot, Boston College, So.

D- Raymon Gaddis, West Virginia, Jr.

D- Justin Chavez, Tulsa, Jr.

D- Bobby Warshaw, Stanford, Sr.

M- Michael Tetteh, UCSB, Jr.

M- Ryan Kinne, Monmouth, Sr.

M- Danny Barrera, UCSB, Jr.

F- Andy Lubahn, Wake Forest, So.

F- Sam Garza, UCSB, So.

F- Andrew Bulls, Maryland-Baltimore County, Jr.

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What do you think of this group? Excited to see how the 2011 MLS Draft Class takes shape? What players are you looking forward to watching this year?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. DC would be torn to choose between Powers and Sardokie. As much as we need a talented goalscorer, a midfield engine and a reliable right back are just as important. I bet we try for a sleeper striker in a later round.

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  2. Interesting. Thats the same school that Dejan Jakovic, one of DC United’s stronger centerbacks, went to before going overseas to Red Star Belgrade. Given DCUs rather porous defense this year(which might be due to sucky midfield play), I wouldn’t be surprised if they went to old scouting grounds for talent, considering the rather weak pool for central defenders this(Valentin, and maybe Soares the only well knowns really)

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  3. I attended the UVA-UAB game last night and was very impressed with UAB’s center back, Curtis Ushedo. Very composed on the ball and had an excellent feel for the game. Both of UVA’s goals were scored when he went off for cramps.

    A very unfortunate loss for UAB, UVA never really looked like scoring, despite dominating possession for long stretches.

    The penalty against UAB was by far the worst call in the midst of a very poor game for the center.

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  4. After watching them over the summer I rate Valentin ahead of Sarkodie. Though I think Sarkodie’s body is still maturing.

    Valentin is a really smart player and I enjoyed the heck out of seeing him play.

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  5. How do these guys compare with the academy players from the MLS clubs, namely the homegrown players? Hard to compare due to age difference and lack of visible games for the homegrown (at least until the reserve system comes back)?

    I’d love a post similar to this about the homegrown players and the other up ‘n comers in the academy system.

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  6. Thanks for the SuperDraft info, Ives. As a Timbers fan, I’m following this years college draft very closely.

    Keep an eye on Brent Richards from Univ. of Washington. Lit up the PDL this season for the Timbers U23 team that finished as the first undefeated, un-tied team ever. Pure class.

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  7. Ives- Good analysis. We should bear in mind that every year there is a sprinkling of non-college players receiving GA contracts, so those will further strengthen the draft pool.

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  8. The Sounders really need a young fullback to back up Riley. I’m hoping Kori Sarkodie falls down to the Sounders in the first round. He sounds like a perfect fit for Sigi’s system. 🙂

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  9. @IVES: good point. i kind of hope they go back to the requirement being 2 seasons with the youth team to qualify as HG. one season/12 months just seems kind of pointless.

    a team doesn’t have to sign the HG straight from their academy team tho right? they can send them to college for a year or two and then sign them directly as a HG? they’d only go into the draft for other teams once the “parent” club said “no we don’t want you feel free to go into the draft”?

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  10. i would only dismissed a player based on his size UNLESS he has superiour alternate qualities that compensate for their severe physical shortcomings.

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  11. @Ives: ok. good info. not really clear on how the whole thing works outside heresay. i wish there was some clear rules from MLS (i sent you an email in re this).

    i wonder if the team that drafts him would have to compensate RBNY for his “development” cost. i guess if he goes to college probably not but i wonder.

    (SBI-There are no developmental costs compensated. Heck, as flimsy as MLS has made the homegrown requirements I’m not sure how teams could honestly ask for compensation. It boils down to this. Either you think the kid is good enough to sign to a Homegrown Player deal or you lose him to the draft. That’s more than fair. Not sure there are any academy programs just overflowing with MLS-ready talent. At least not yet.)

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  12. Because he doesn’t fit in their plans or because they might have a better option in their current youth squad? I’m not sure why they would pass but, as Ives said, they have passed on him repeatedly so far. I’m merely pointing out the situation in which he would be draft eligible for another team.

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  13. Using the magical power of the internet, looks like all the “Ives First XI” are US eligible with Nagbe maybe also having African options as his dad once captained Liberia.

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  14. Would be nice to know which are eligible to play for which countries National Teams. Just to get a feel for if US Fans can hope to maybe see Player X possibly at the National team level someday.

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  15. Ah yes, the old ‘size and athleticism’ argument. In this case, 5′ 3″ is awfully short so I am not going to put up much of a fight except to point out that yes, there are players that tall playing in top leagues around the world who do not have Messi-esque skill. Rare but possible.

    Not that Giggsy indicated otherwise, but there is nothing wrong with players – short or big – who have high soccer IQs, excellent technical ability and bring something to the game. Sure, combined w/size and athleticism that is great but I hate hearing people dismiss a player at any level due to size.

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  16. is he lightning fast with the ball skill and soccer iq of Messi? no? then at 5’3″ i am not interested. let me know if he stops being a midget or blossoms into having ungodly talent to compensate.

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  17. and why would RBNY allow a player they could sign directly to go into the draft so another team could take him?

    if they turn out good enough to be top draft picks or GAs then RBNY will make them homegrown since they can do that sign 4 HGs a season. if RBNY doesn’t want to sign them directly as HGs then they probably aren’t very good draft prospects.

    either way it should be at least noted where one of these players are the “homegrowns” of an MLS team so there is no confusion.

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  18. Any thoughts on Marlon Duran? I liked him with the U17 and thought he played well there despite poor results for the team. He’s going to Dayton now and I think he should do pretty well in the A-10, which isn’t a big time soccer conference. I think he’s being underrated because he’s only 5’3″ and doesn’t seem to fit in with guys like Bradley, Edu, and Clark in midfield.

    But I may be overrating the kid. Anyone else interested in seeing what he does?

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  19. I know that he just signed a new contract, but with the amount of talent that Caleb Porter is able to bring in and mold at Akron how has some MLS team not made him an offer he can’t refuse? Or even better, given his skill with young players, why hasn’t the USSF targeted him for a roll with the youth national teams?

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  20. Still can’t believe one of the Farfans are still playing in college, seems like they’ve been in college forever. Good for Michael. Hope Gabriel latches on somewhere (last I heard he was with Chivas in Mexico but that was almost a year ago.)

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  21. By the time they’re making a dent in the national team in a couple years, I pray we’ve already filled those.

    I’m looking for creativity as that’s something we’ve never had.

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  22. Only if NY wants them and has a homegrown slot available. For example, if Kassel gets a GA offer from MLS and NY doesn’t exercise their option to sign him, then he is draft eligible.

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  23. actually Matt Kassel is too.

    the MLS homegrown rule is if a player has played for an MLS youth academy’s team for 12 months they can be signed directly as a homegrown product even if they go on to college or a US residency.

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  24. Isn’t Sacir Hot a RBNY youth academy product and “home grown” player and thus not a draft prospect?

    (SBI-Any team’s youth academy product can be drafted if their original team doesn’t sign them as a Homegrown Player. Red Bulls have passed on Kassel repeatedly and if he had chosen to he could have entered the draft.)

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  25. Looking down the list, my eyes immediately went for LBs and FWs – our biggest needs for the USMNT. Hopefully these guys can get into MLS and do well.

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  26. Ives mentioned 4 guys who were part of the draft in the last few years and didn’t even scratch the surface of guys making an impact in MLS out of the draft.

    Wasn’t like there was some mass exodus from the league, it is expanding, but aside from that you can only conclude one thing…

    MLS is getting better very quickly.

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