2013 MLS SuperDraft Mock Draft v 2.0

 2013 MLS SuperDraft Mock Draft v 2.0
by J.R. Eskilson & Travis Clark
December 14, 2012
mls super draft mock draft
ORDER TEAM NAME COLLEGE POS HEIGHT WEIGHT
1 Andrew Farrell * Louisville D/MF 5-11 165

The consensus top player if he signs a Generation adidas contract (Farrell is a junior) it’s likely that whomever holds the No. 1 overall pick goes with the midfielder/defender. TFC is in need of help along the back line, and Farrell provides that immediately or he could add a physical presence in a defensive midfield role.

2 Jose Gomez Creighton MF 5-9 155

What will happen under the new regime for Chivas USA? It’s impossible to know just who they would pick, but if Chivas is serious about its Mexican-origin players only, Gomez would be a choice that makes sense here. He's a very good player, even if this seems a little bit high in the draft.

3 Deshorn Brown * UCF F 6-2 170

TFC currently has two aging, injury-prone forwards in Eric Hassli and Danny Koevermans and a third inconsistent one in Justin Braun. Adding Brown here would provide pace and power up top, and a second pick on a GA deal brings cap relief.

4 Walker Zimmerman *  Furman D 6-3 185

There’s a lack of MLS-ready players in the draft pool, so the Revolution go with depth at the back and a player for the future with the addition of Zimmerman, a promising center back with great size and tools.

5 Dillon Powers Notre Dame MF 5-11 172

Questions will follow Powers from the college game to the pro level, as he’ll need to find a position in central midfield that best uses his skillset. However, he's still got plenty of talent and ability to contribute from day one, making him an attractive choice for the Whitecaps.

6 Mikey Lopez * North Carolina MF 5-8 160

Get Lopez in the right situation and he’ll flourish. This is what would happen if he ends up with Oscar Pareja and the Rapids, as the holding midfielder still needs time to transition to the next level but is likely to develop into a top-level player under Pareja in Colorado.

7 Erik Hurtado Santa Clara F/MF 5-9 170

When Hurtado’s Home Grown status with Portland was rejected, he immediately shot up draft boards across the league. The speedy winger is an immediate difference maker and provides depth for FCD out wide, something the team needed last year.

8 Chris Thomas Elon F 6-0 191

In need of striker help -- the Impact’s two forwards currently on the roster are an aging Italian and last year’s top draft pick Andrew Wenger -- the Impact add an athletic, pacy and confident forward in Thomas, someone who can compete for playing time and help them score some goals.

9 Blake Smith New Mexico MF 5-10 150

Blake Smith made his mark on college soccer this season with his ability to set up goals for forward Devon Sandoval. Smith is a player who has decent skill and bundles of speed. He loves to get to the touchline and get in crosses, which is exactly the type of weapon that Crew needs in this draft.

10 Ashton Bennett Coastal Carolina F 5-9 167

When Darren Mattocks exited the game in the Whitecaps final game of last season, it became abundantly clear that the Canadian club had no weapons off the bench. Bennett (plus a healthy Omar Salgado) could be the solution to that problem.

11 John Stertzer Maryland MF 6-0 170

A talented player who has developed significantly since coming to Maryland, Stertzer played a more attacking role in college than he will in the pros, but has the ability to cope with the adjustment to a new level and would fit well into the Fire’s midfield.

12 Jason Johnson * VCU F 6-0 180

Goal scoring was a problem for Real Salt Lake come the end of the season, and if a Generation adidas forward is available when they pick, it would make sense for them to take a chance on Johnson. A standout player on a VCU team that has come a long way in a short amount of time, his physical and soccer abilities will translate well to MLS.

13 Ryan Hollingshead UCLA MF/F 6-1 180

The Pac-12 Player of the Year will find a spot on an MLS roster, and Houston may be just the perfect home for him. He is physical enough to fit in well with the Dynamo style at the next level. With the right coaching, Hollingshead could be an impact player in the league in the future.

14 Kekuta Manneh * Austin Aztex F 5-9 160

The speedy Gambian is a bit of a wildcard in this draft. He has scored a ton of goals at the youth level with the USSF’s Development Academy, and he proved his quality in the USL’s Premier Development League over the summer. He might not be a starter from the first day, but he is an interesting project for Sporting KC to try and develop over the year.

15 Eric Schoenle West Virginia D 6-2 147

Schoenle had shaky moments this fall after entering the Generation adidas conversation a year ago. After dealing Ike Opara to KC, the Earthquakes can pick up center back depth with this pick.

16 Machael David UCSB MF 5-8 160
The last few seasons for Machael David have been hindered by a number of injuries, which has pushed his draft stock down from a likely top five selection to a late first round pick. David, when healthy, offers a bite to the midfielder that would be an adequate replacement for Osvaldo Alonso.
17 Jimmy Nealis Georgetown D/MF 6-0 162

United should be very familiar with Nealis, who played not too far away in the nation's this past fall on their run to the College Cup final. The left back projects perhaps as more of a winger at the MLS level, but D.C.’s need for depth on that side would make Nealis a smart pick up.

18 Taylor Kemp Maryland D 5-11 153

Injuries have hobbled Kemp in his senior season, but he’s still a quality option at left back, provides great service and is good enough defensively to go off the board in the first round to Montreal.

19 Tommy Muller Georgetown D 5-11 168

While Muller is slightly undersized for a center back role in MLS, he’s a very well-rounded player, good on the ball, and his timing is superb defensively. He would add even more depth to an already very talented LA team.

 

* Indicates underclassman/Generation adidas signing

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