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« on: January 24, 2008, 09:23:33 AM »
The 'SuperDraft' isn't just about talent
by Jamie Trecker
The man from the Windy City pulls no punches when it comes to soccer in the USA. What to make of the MLS SuperDraft?
Thirteen years on, it remains a work in progress.
This year's crop was no exception. Few, if any, of the players available last week will make an immediate impact on their teams. There was no obvious standout like last season's Maurice Edu and no big deals materialized on draft day, as most teams seemed content to move cap money around in an effort to ultimately stock up in the transfer market.
Part of the problem with the draft is that too many of the available players are unfinished products from a college system that can fall short in many cases of preparing them for life as a professional. Those who do get identified by club scouts can turn out to be far less than expected once they hit the field among professionals.
The college game, with its limited season and strange rules, insufficiently prepares players for the realities of pro soccer, in stark contrast to college baseball, basketball, football and ice hockey, because of course many of the best college-aged players have been culled out by MLS, by U.S. Soccer, or, in rare cases, by overseas clubs.
Most teams also try to snap up cap-exempt talent, for obvious reasons. Because the players classified under the "Generation Adidas" rubric don't count against MLS' meager $2.3 million salary cap, these guys can fill out a bench without affecting the bottom line. They are coveted. All nine GA players were gone by the 19th pick, and six went in the top ten.
The salary cap also means that teams are tempted into ditching experience for financial breathing room. One of the most glaring examples of this was Kansas City's surprising selection of Chance Myers with the first overall pick. Earlier in the week, K.C. had unloaded Nick Garcia (and his salary) to San Jose. In Myers, not a clear No. 1 pick, the Wizards get a bargain basement replacement. He's a guy who may or may not be able to contribute.
The salary cap system means that the best players tend to go late, and teams that enter the draft with room to move can get lucky. Chicago got gifted with Patrick Nyarko — the projected number one pick — when the Ghanaian (who will count against the cap) was left waiting. A similar thing happened to Wake Forest's Julian Valentin and UConn's Julius James. They sat while the freebies made their way to the podium.
The truth is, the timing of the draft doesn't help matters either. It falls smack in the middle of the FIFA Euro-South American transfer window when a number of clubs are waiting to see just what they'll have to play with. For example, the Fire may need a goalkeeper if Matt Pickens decamps for Europe. New England did not know on draft day whether or not it would have Taylor Twellman (still in ongoing negotiations with Preston North End) and D.C. is deep in negotiations with three of their key foreign players.
No. 1 prospect Patrick Nyarko, a player who could make an immediate impact, was snapped up by Chicago. (Mitchell Layton / Getty Images)
For now, the aftermath of this year's draft is uncertain. If just ten of the 56 men selected Friday can make an impact, MLS will consider this draft a success. But, if the past is any guide, few of these players will forge a memorable career in the league, much less make an impact.
And over and over, the top picks in the draft have been overshadowed by the unheralded gems who go late. Who remembers Steve Shak (1st in 2000) or Nikolas Besagno (1st in 2005)? Keep in mind that Jozy Altidore went to New York 17th back in 2006, while Jonathan Bornstein settled to 37th that year. And, in truth, MLS hasn't had a truly deep draft since 2004.
The bottom line? While drafts have proven to be the bedrock in American pro sports — allowing teams to rebuild while preventing the young athletes from freely selling their talents to the highest bidder — the MLS version is a crap shoot at best and a yawn too often.
Until the American college game truly becomes a player production vehicle, that isn't going to change.
2008 MLS SuperDraft - Round 1
# Team Player P College
1. K.C. Chance Myers D UCLA
2. DAL Brek Shea M/D U.S. U-17
3. RSL Tony Beltran M/D UCLA
4. L.A. Sean Franklin M/D CSUN
5. COL C. O'Brien M UCSB
6. CLB Andy Iro D UCSB
7. CHI P. Nyarko F Va. Tech
8. DAL Josh Lambo GK U.S. U-17
9. TOR Julius James D UConn
10. TOR Pat Phelan M Wake Forest
11. K.C. R. Espinoza M Ohio St.
12. CHI Dominic Cervi GK Tulsa
13. N.E. R. Valentino D USF
14. RSL David Horst D Old Dominion
DRAFT WINNERS: Toronto, which needed help everywhere, got the best defender available in the draft in James and a potential starter in Pat Phelan of Wake Forest. They also took a gamble on Notre Dame's Joseph Lapira, who is uncertain whether he will sign with MLS or head abroad. Chicago got a steal with Nyarko. Los Angeles got Valentin late, and he can help them. New coach Ruud Gullit was otherwise unimpressed by the quality showcased at the MLS combine. Columbus will be helped by Andy Iro ... if he stays in the USA. Dallas got a steal in cap-exempt Eric Avila, and took a gamble on teen Brek Shea.
DRAFT LOSERS: Chivas USA had only one pick, and Keith Savage doesn't look like much. Colorado's draft was just plain strange, with the Rapids taking Ciaran O'Brien in an attempt to fill the hole left from Kyle Beckerman's move to Real Salt Lake. While we hate to second-guess New England's Steve Nicol, his choice of Rob Valentino was curious, to say the least. New York got very little, and is clearly looking to sign players from outside the country.
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