MLS SuperDraft History Snapshot

by Dave Clark on Jan 7, 2009 8:21 PM PST in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

The draft is next week and the once top heavy draft with four players that could go number has lost some of its luster as Ike Opara stayed in school and it is nearly certain that Marcus Tracy goes to Europe rather than stays home.

Part of this is due to the nature of the Generation Adidas contracts (Tracy as a senior wouldn't make as much money in MLS as the underclassmen), and another part is that the MLS SuperDraft is more like MLB than it is the NBA and NFL. Even high first round picks don't usually make an immediate impact.

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Over the last four years only 5 outfielders picked in the top four played more than half the available league minutes with their club in the year of their draft. Three players played less than 4% of available minutes. Only two made goalscoring impacts and only one had decent assist numbers. Five made decent impacts defensively with Sean Franklin probably the highlight on that.

It is important to note that the Goals Against Average loses a lot of meaning for the players that didn't get as much playing time. I counted appearences of over 10 minutes, and always included goals when the player was on the field. It is rough. For the season I will be tracking Goals, Assists, Clean Sheets, GAA, GFA, +/- and points won times % played for League, Cup and Friendly matches.

Sounders FC really only has two choices if they don't deal the #1 pick.

Steve Zakuani the striker out of the U of Akron
or
Omar Gonzalez the defender from NCAA Champions Maryland

I can't argue with either choice, and while all indicators seem to point to Zakuani, it is unlikely that his impact will be felt in year one. He would provide depth at forward, but likely as the 4th option behind Jaqua, Le Toux, and some signee.

Just remember though, that no matter who Seattle Sounders FC drafts, it isn't the immediate impact we are looking for, but what he does in a few years. That list is impressive - Frankin, Wynn, Edu, Harrington, Soumare, Ballouchy, Barrett and O'Roure are all useful in this league or better. Garey and Movsisyan look like they could be stepping out as well.

International signings and USL-Sounders will be the key to 2009. This year's draft could fuel '10.

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Tracy’s actually heading to the combine, so his leaving for Europe isn’t a sure thing.

by ness on Jan 7, 2009 9:52 PM PST reply actions

ness, he isn’t on the MLS release for the Combine team rosters.

He actually might be a decent late round pick though, just to hold his MLS rights when/if he returns. It is more likely that he eventually plays in the US than a normal 3rd round pick turns out to be anything.

It will be intriguing to see if a player without an MLS contract goes in the top four.

by Dave Clark on Jan 7, 2009 9:59 PM PST up reply actions

Interesting. I heard otherwise from a teammate of his. Who admittedly could be mistaken. I might hear from Marcus himself in a few days, though, so we’ll see.

by ness on Jan 7, 2009 11:25 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for a very useful analysis. I’m actually impressed by how well these first 4 picks did in the transition to MLS. Be great to see how this changes (one hopes progresses) over the next several years. Love real data over impressions.

by Don on Jan 14, 2009 12:04 AM PST reply actions