Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft is over and done with, and with more players taken than ever before.
Five players were taken in the first part of the 2013 MLS Re-Entry Draft on Thursday afternoon, including centerback Bobby Boswell, winger Steve Zakuani and right back/midfielder Sean Franklin. Franklin and Boswell were both taken by D.C. United with the first and 20th picks, respectively, while Zakuani was scooped up by the Portland Timbers with the No. 2 overall selection.
The two other players nabbed in Stage 1 were midfielder Corben Bone and defender/midfielder Marc Burch. The Philadelphia Union selected Bone with the sixth pick and the Colorado Rapids used their spot at No. 13 to grab Burch.
Of all the moves, the Timbers selecting Zakuani is most likely to grab headlines. Not only does the move mean we could potentially see Zakuani go up against his former club, the Seattle Sounders, but it also reunites him with head coach Caleb Porter. Zakuani played under Porter at Akron from 2007-08.
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What do you think of these selections? Which pick do you think was the best? Expecting United’s defense to be substantially better with Boswell and Franklin on it? Do you see Zakuani shining in Portland?
Share your thoughts below.