A poll on the upcoming SuperDraft

by Dave Clark on Dec 11, 2009 7:29 PM PST in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

There are many theories as to how to manage a draft. Some look only to the best player, in MLS that may mean only Seniors (ready-now) or it could mean Generation Adidas guys (likely not ready immediately but salary cap free).

Others look at the draft to fill holes, and the Sounders have a holes on the wing and in central midfield, and possibly in fullback. So let's start with a poll.

Over the next month we will start profiling the players in the draft.

Oh, and Hurtado's review will be posted tomorrow morning

Poll

Where should the Sounders look in the first round of the SuperDraft?

Forward

28 votes

Wide Midfielder (wingers here)

17 votes

Central Midfielder (defense, attacking, box2box)

25 votes

Fullback/Wingback

1 votes

Centerback

5 votes

Keeper

2 votes

Best Available Player (non-GA)

23 votes

Best Available Player (GA Only)

23 votes

124 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Generation Adidas players aren't signed yet

but if you want to track them Buzz Carrick is THE MAN

http://www.3rddegree.net/ga-tracking/

I already found the guy on that list that intrigues me the most.

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by Dave Clark on Dec 11, 2009 8:13 PM PST reply actions

I was kinda out of it last night and posted it in the wrong spot. I was wondering who intrigues you and why? Oops.

by soccerfan on Dec 12, 2009 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

I voted for Best Available

Because I think our greatest need, CAM, is better filled by a veteran. This is the person we’re going to be relying upon to orchestrate our offense and therefore someone who needs to up to speed right away. I don’t know if a college player can be relied upon with that kind of responsibility.

by CarlosT on Dec 11, 2009 10:27 PM PST reply actions

Totally agree there

There is no way that a kid straight out of college (or high school) can be the starting CAM.

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by Dave Clark on Dec 12, 2009 8:24 AM PST up reply actions

Agreed

It is our area of greatest need, but the draft isn’t the right place to look.

Best available talent is often the best policy in other sports’ drafts (with the possible exception of the NBA). The same would seem to apply here in the MLS – unless I am missing something.

by zeagle on Dec 12, 2009 11:13 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Generation Adidas players aren't signed yet

Who and why?

by soccerfan on Dec 11, 2009 11:39 PM PST reply actions

Maybe I don't understand the question

Who, as in who/what is Generation Adidas?

It is a program that was founded by Nike (now operated by Adidas) to encourage underclassmen and high-schoolers to come to MLS rather than go to college or Europe. They are paid fairly well (150k or so for Zakuani) and promised that they will get money for college later.

Why aren’t they signed yet?

Because they are still in school is the most likely answer, usually the signings explode in that first week of Janauary.

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I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
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by Dave Clark on Dec 12, 2009 8:23 AM PST up reply actions

Where do you read up on Generation Adidas players?

by magistermilitum on Dec 16, 2009 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

I linked 3rd Degree

Up above, but at this time there aren’t many signed. I do hope to provide a few Draft Previews for those guys as well.

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
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by Dave Clark on Dec 17, 2009 2:50 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks and nice work on the site.

This site has more updates and useful information than any other Sounders site out there. Keep it up!

by magistermilitum on Dec 17, 2009 8:14 PM PST up reply actions

Superdraft strategy

I think soccer is different than other sports in draft strategy in that you really aren’t expecting this person to contribute immediately. Your chances of getting a guy even like Zakuani are pretty slim. Plus, there tends to be more roster movement between teams and players are usually able to cover multiple positions… at least compared to basketball or football.

As a result, I think you take a baseball type approach and simply draft the best player available and focus on developing them. If it works out, adjustments can be made to accommodate. If there is a CAM available, great… but I wouldn’t expect them to start at that position right away if at all.

by Derek Young on Dec 12, 2009 3:49 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Three GA signings about to be announced

You may have missed this but Teal Bunbury and Blair Gavin of the Akron Zips are about to be announced as GA signings. Dilly Duka’s long rumored signing will also be made official.

http://mlsinsiderblog.com/?p=579

Oh, and later today I will profile a GA candidate who will certainly be a pro next year, but maybe not in MLS

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Dec 20, 2009 9:31 AM PST reply actions