The 2011 MLS Draft is two weeks away. That's right, just two weeks away, and the reality is that MLS teams are far from finished trying to figure out which players to move up and move down their draft lists.
Wondering who your team might take when the draft takes place? Over the course of the past three years we have made the SBI MLS Mock Draft a regular part of the lead-up to the Draft and while it's impossible for anybody to know how the draft will actually go, we're confident this Mock Draft is a good measure of where the draft's top prospects project, and which needs teams will be looking to fill.
Wondering what last year's first SBI MLS Mock Draft looked like? Here it is. Of the 16 players I had going in the first round, a total of 11 wound up actually going in the first round. Danny Mwanga wasn't a part of that Mock Draft because at that point he looked unlikely to sign with MLS (that was before MLS through a big-money offer to seal the deal).
So who is the top pick? Vancouver could wind up keeping the pick or trading it, but either way I think Akron standout Perry Kitchen will edge out teammate Darlington Nagbe for the honor of being the first player chosen.
Now, here is our first 2011 SBI MLS Mock Draft:
SBI MLS MOCK DRAFT (Version 1.0)
FIRST ROUND
1. Vancouver Whitecaps- PERRY KITCHEN, M/F, Akron
The Whitecaps can go in a few different directions but will find it hard to pass on Kitchen's versatility and potential. Capable of playing centerback or defensive midfield, Kitchen also boasts good leadership qualities. With a tireless work rate and mature understanding of the game well beyond his years, Kitchen should be able to play right away. It should be noted that Vancouver won't rule out tradng this pick, and D.C. United covets Kitchen and could make a play to move up here.
2. Portland Timbers- DARLINGTON NAGBE, F, Akron
The Timbers already have some forwards signed, such as Eddie Johnson and Bright Dike, but John Spencer can't pass on the best attacking player in the draft. Nagbe's power and pace, combined with a sharp passing eye, make him a threat both as a striker and as a midfielder.
3. D.C. United- ZAREK VALENTIN, D, Akron
Having already added a quality young defender in Maryland standout Ethan White (who signed as a Homegrown Player), D.C. United could be tempted to turn to a striker with this pick, but defensive needs will lead the club to grab Valentin, a U.S. Under-20 centerback who could also slot in at right back. Having Valentin and White together would give D.C. a great defensive nucleus to partner with young goalkeeping standout Bill Hamid.
4. Chivas USA- OMAR SALGADO, F, U.S. Under-20
The club doesn't have a coach in place but the club is aware of its needs, and one of them is strikers. Enter Salgado, who is one of the best long-term prospect in the group. A 6-foot-3 forward who is just 17, Salgado boasts a unique combination of size and ball skills and his Mexican-American heritage and history with Chivas de Guadalajara make him the easy pick. Kofi Sarkodie and Will Bruin could also tempt the Rojiblancos.
5. Philadelphia Union- COREY HERTZOG, F, Penn State
A speedy player with a nose for the goal, Hertzog would make a great addition to a young forward line including Danny Mwanga and Jack McInerney. The Union tried to land Hertzog as a Homegrown Player before being turned down by MLS, but Peter Nowak gets the chance to add a player with local ties and plenty of talent.
6. New England Revolution- ZAC MACMATH, GK, Maryland
The Revolution has plenty of needs and could go for a striker like Will Bruin or a defender like A.J. Soares, but Steve Nicol will be hard-pressed to pass on a franchise goalkeeper like MacMath. Matt Reis just re-signed, but MacMath would be an ideal successor. If MacMath is off the board, the Revs would be a good bet to pounce on Will Bruin.
7. Houston- WILL BRUIN, F, Indiana
Dom Kinnear would probably have jumped all over Kofi Sarkodie if Houston hadn't just signed Hunter Freeman. That being the case, the Dynamo can add a strong forward in Bruin, who can learn from Brian Ching and potentially partner him in year one. Knowing Houston, a trade wouldn't be a surprise here either.
8. Vancouver- KOFI SARKODIE, D, Akron
In his last year as D.C. United head coach, Tom Soehn was able to draft Rodney Wallace and Chris Pontius. This time around, Soehn is the Whitecaps technical director and he will jump for joy of he can land both Kitchen and Sarkodie, two teenage talents who could start for years. This might seem a bit low for Sarkodie, a player with Top 5 talent, but he only slips because the three teams picking before this already have right backs.
9. Chicago- A.J. SOARES, D, California
The Fire need central defense help after the departure of Wilman Conde and retirement of C.J. Brown and Soares can provide that. He's a threat to score on set pieces and he's a good passer out of the back, which will work well in the possession game head coach Carlos de Los Cobos wants to play.
10. Sporting KC- JALIL ANIBABA, D, North Carolina
Replacing veteran defender Jimmy Conrad won't be easy, but KC will be happy to grab an athletic centerback like Anibaba, who has the talent to step in and start for the club formerly known as the Wizards.
11. Seattle Sounders- ANTHONY AMPAIPITAKWONG, M, Akron
It's no secret the Sounders lacked a bit of midfield creativity, and Seattle also lost Sanna Nyassi in the off-season. Ampaipitakwong can help address both those issues. He's quick, tireless and very creative, just the type of spark the Sounders attack needs.
12. Columbus Crew- MICHAEL NANCHOFF, M, Akron
Robert Warzycha could be tempted to go for UNC midfielder Stephen McCarthy as a potential replacement for Brian Carroll, but adding Ohio native Nanchoff, a dangerous left winger, would give the Crew a variety of lineup options.
13. New York Red Bulls- MICHAEL FARFAN, M, North Carolina
The Red Bulls come in looking for defensive depth and potentially a creative midfielder and forward. With two other picks in the Top 30 New York can wait for a central defender (especially if Soares and Anibaba are gone) so the Red Bulls grab one of the most creative players in the draft. The Red Bulls could also be tempted to grab Michigan striker Justin Meram.
14. Real Salt Lake- JUSTIN MERAM, F, Michigan
After losing Robbie Findley to Europe, RSL headed into the off-season needing a forward. If RSL can land Meram here it will be another positive step in a memorable winter. Meram is a dangerous goalscorer, someone who loves going at defenders and can score from anywhere. A good Combine performance could see Meram go even higher, but RSL would pounce if he's available here.
15. San Jose Earthquakes- COLE GROSSMAN, M, Duke
The Earthquakes can use some midfield depth, particularly of the attacking variety, and Grossman is one of the best available players to fit that description. He's a sharp passer, can score goals and has a good motor. Frank Yallop could also take a look at Maryland striker Jason Herrick here.
16. Los Angeles Galaxy- JASON HERRICK, F, Maryland
Bruce Arena dealt away Tristan Bowen, and Edson Buddle's future with the Galaxy is still uncertain, so the Galaxy really need to find a forward in the draft and Herrick is one of the better ones available.
17. FC Dallas- STEPHEN McCARTHY, M, North Carolina
Daniel Hernandez isn't getting any younger and McCarthy is one of the most highly-regarded defensive midfield prospects around. He's 6-foot-4 with good feet and he's also a good set piece threat. McCarthy could easily wind up going higher with a good Combine showing.
18. Colorado Rapids- ASHLEY McINNES, M/F, Tulsa
The Rapids can use some speed and depth on the wing and McInnes can give the MLS champions just that. A forward and midfielder, McInnes has the speed, passing ability and versatility to help the Rapids right away.
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I will post our next Mock Draft (a two-rounder) next week, before the Combine, and the final Mock Draft (a full three rounds) will post the day before the 2011 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.
Has there ever been a draft – soccer, football, basketball – with the top three picks coming from the same school? and 6 picks total, virtually half the draft? Better question, if it happens, would it ever happen again?
sorry if that sounded nasty, didn’t mean to be. You are right they have to do a lot of replacing.
I think Colin Clark and Danny Cruz can help next year, maybe Cobos but no idea what he holds.
Danny Cruz was unearthed? He was a part of the u-17 and u-20 USA teams for awhile and a generation adidas player…
Houston is not any better than any other team at picking. They have picked 1st and 2nd rounds and had medium success.
In the drafts these days, if you have a r1 or r2 pick, you better use them.
Agree Salgado is the best player in the draft, I think he will go first
They will be even better next year. The incoming class us stacked!
Schellas Hyndman will crap his pants if he can get Stephen McCarthy with the 17th pick…
Is there anything on the player chris agorsor?
Will there be anyone left to play at the University of Akron? Good thing their coach just signed a deal through 2020.
Go Zips!
Good point, but from what I’ve heard, Kofi is higher in prospect than Ofori was. Like I said, I think D.C. needs someone that’ll make an immediate impact.
Sarkodie does seem like a good fit, but…his brother was being projected asa high pick a year ago (or was it 2?). He was picked much lower (4th rd.) and didn’t even make a team.
I’m guessing Meram will do well in the MLS, but he’s been consistently underrated. My guess is he doesn’t go before LAG at #16 — might even slip to the 2nd rd. I don’t see Herrick going in the 1st rd — he’ll definitely slip down. I’m surprised Colin Rolfe isn’t on the list — is he not coming out?
He’s a defensive role player though that plays his role very well. His foot skills are somewhat limited in my opinion. He’s peerless at winning headers though. I’d take Valentin or Nagbe before Kitchen. Maybe Kitchen at 4 or 5.
Personally, I think Darlington Nagbe’s gonna go first, and D.C. would do much better with Sarkodie than Valentin. True as D.C. needs help with offense, Sarkodie can get forward when he needs to. Omar Salgado has potential, but United needs someone that can make an impact right away. Salgado is more of a project.
I agree. The odds that DC and Vancouver both pass on Salgado, after bringing him in for close-up looks? Small.
At least the Fire got a talented player with international cred, in exchange for their 2nd rd. pick. DC gave up their 2nd rd. pick for Stephen King, who was a third rounder when Seattle got him.
I see them going with sarkodie, definitely need to shore up the backline. Either that or a good central midfielder to pair with Joseph.
yo bro Segares played in Cyprus, which last time I checked was not in Egypt.
Dude, that was cold. You personally insulted him, analyzed exactly why he was wrong, then insulted him again.
You are exactly right, Philly needs to shore up a defense that couldn’t pull a clean sheet until September last year. Sardokie may be available around their pick but they already have the young Williams at RB. I would love for them to take Macmath if he is there. Seitz and Knighton failed to impress last season and Mondragon can’t be expected to play more than 2 seasons. Macmath has serious talent and could ease his way into the starting lineup after waiting behind a seasoned vet.
I too was at every Akron home game as well as a few away games. Kitchen is the real deal. I think he is deserving of a top 3 pick. He singlehandedly stepped in and filled Zemanski and Gavin’s shoes at Akron when UA switched from two holding mids to just one this year. Plus he has other intangibles such as leadership.
+1.
Odds are Houston trades away the first round pick. Kinnear is good at picking out the late-round diamonds-in-the-rough (Geoff Cameron and Danny Cruz). Interested to see who he unearths this year. They need a replacement for Holden, or a good left mid to replace Davis if he moves inside.
I think very few of us have had a chace to see all of these guys in action, so it’s really tough to judge in abstract. I can imaging the headaches for MLS squads who have few resources to scout players properly. It’s near impossible to tell who’ll be the next Zakuani or Ream.
As an Akron fan that has seen every home game this year, I can tell you with most certainty that Ives has Kitchen placed too high and Nanchoff placed too low. Picks 2, 3 & 4 look correct however. Although Im not taking into account team’s needs which Ives probably is.
Cal’s GK isn’t in the draft.
I think Houston goes with a defender with its 1st round pick: soares, sarkodie or anibaba. They need another central def, and another outside back. We need another fwd, but that will be a DP next summer.
I want the fire to get jistin meram but probably wont happen tho. c(:
So Cal’s GK doesn’t get drafted in the first round, interesting….
Ah, the usage of “n00b”. Internet-infantile insults never get old.
When you’re ready to expand your vocabulary past words like “n00b” look up the term: hyperbole.
Now that you have, I’ll address your version of a response…
In fact, Pappa and Nyarko are solid pieces for any MLS squad along with Johnson showing sincere potential at GK.
Outside of those three, there is literally nothing.
It’d be favorable to include Watson-Siriboe as a wildcard but that’s just based on his age not his performance.
You mention Segares? He looked like a shell of himself before he left for his Egyptian squad. Not the same player he once was.
You mention Pause? The guy is the personification of average. If that’s what you’re building your midfield around, goodluck.
You mention Steven Kinney? At this point I have to ask: Did you even watch the Fire last year? What did you see in him makes a lasting impression? Love to hear it.
Outside of a: winger, a midfielder and a prospect at GK….yes, they infact need EVERYTHING.
Of those three, again if you actually watched the Fire, DLC has no idea how to utilize Pappa or Nyarko so what’s it actually matter?
We’re not strong up the spine and at this point, a complete reclaimation project is in order, hence my comments.
Corben Bone is someone I’m hoping develops into some form of a playmaker but he wasn’t played enough to actually guage his potential.
The majority of the players you mentioned are as forgetful as the substance of your post.
I’m also wondering if Salgado to Chivas USA would be problematic given the way he left the mothership.
Oh and Ives, Nanchoff is not the only home grown talent in the draft.
I dont think Kitchen and Valentin will go that high. I think they have a lot of learning to do if you paid attention to Akrons end of season. I think Nagbe or Salgado will go first. I hope the Crew gets Sarkodie or Nanchoff, either would fill a need.
Agreed he’s the best puck handler I’ve ever seen. You mean for his age? No I don’t.
there will be a crazy pick made by a team in the first round. Bright Dike 2.0
I think they will get AJ Soares though
agreed, I think Ives is wrong on that one
I don’t think Perry Kitchen will be a “Teitur Tot”…too bad he doesn’t fall to Sounders, though
Ives there is no way the Revs get another goalkeeper with Reis and Shuttleworth.. I’m sorry it just makes no sense with their problems in defense
(SBI-Don’t see a defender being worth that spot so either they pick someone like MacMath and deal him, or they trade the pick. I don’t see them reaching for a Soares or Anibaba that high. Also, excuse me if I’m not on the Shuttlesworth is the next Schmeichel bandwagon, which seems to have a decent amount of residents.)
Its not difficult to pick what players will go in the first round. It is difficult to pick which players will go where in the first round. I think you are off the mark on a couple of picks, Ives. RSL and Seattle have depth right now and a lot of picks, I think one of those two trades up to get into the Top 5. Seattle and RSL are both interested in MacMath. Seattle will take a keeper. Bingham if MacMath is gone. Look at previous drafts — they draft by need.
(SBI-I know how team’s draft my man, and the mock draft is a work in progress. I also don’t project in trades so it’s pretty pointless to start getting into those kind of scenarios.)
We need a centerback more now that we have Tristan Bowen on the roster. Salgado would be great but he was treated like sh!t in Guadalajara thanks to morons on the squad. Salgado might not be too hip to put on the red and white stripes of CUSA.
Hey Ives, can you rate the prospects based on position?
I played basketball with Jalil in junior high, he is the most amazing athlete I have ever seen in person.
I read your explanation for DC picking Valentin, but don’t believe it will happen. DC should know they still need to score, and will Salgado. DC would win a lot more games if the defense wasn’t fighting a losing battle all season with no help from the front line.
Sorry Ives, I just don’t think that Philly grabs Hertzog at #5. We already have 2 GA players at the forward spot. I’m thinking they go defensive depth with Sarkodie or goalkeeper depth with MacMath. I think the Hertzog homegrown play was just trying to get a player without using a draft pick.
I think Vancouver is confident in their D so far and should focus more on attacking forwards with finish/flair. They seemed to be very high on SALGADO when he trained here in the summer, but may now be tempted by NAGBE.
And with the 8th pick, I don’t see them going for SARKODIE (IF he lasts that long)… Wes Knight has signed and is starting to look solid for 2011. No. 8 may be BRUIN or AMPAIPITAKWON.
I’d be thrilled to see Kofi land with the Crew, but I can’t see it happening unless the Crew trade up
I think I would prefer Will Bruin to the Revs over MacMath
We need a center back, central midfielder and striker. We don’t “need everything except GK.” If you forgot we have Pappa, Nyarko, Pause, Segares, KWS, Kinney.
would be thrilled as a sounders fan.
Any chance Kofi falls to the Crew? He seems like he would fit right into the spot they left open when they let Frankie Hejduk go. Or would they consider trading up to get him?
We need everything except GK, so anywhere helps.
Good thing we gave away a pick for Freddie in arguably the deepest draft to date.