MLS Draft: Complicating the First Round
by Dave Clark on Jan 9, 2011 8:01 PM PST
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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PrintWhile things are going to get most complicated for Zac MacMath, who as a keeper has a history to overcome before he can prove that he's worth a first round pick and getting starts in 2011, General Managers around the league have the challenge of the internationals as well.
It seems that a few players are intriguing first round picks besides the standard GA guys. According to MAEAgency on twitter Marlon Ganchozo is a likely first round pick. The defender/midfielder has solid experience with LDU Quito with 53 appearances in last two seasons, he seems to be using MLS as an injury recovery program on a loan with option to buy program.
He's not the only international who seems to be edging up the rankings. John Rooney showed better than expected. Which might mean that he showed at all, as the expectations were that he was merely there for his last name. He's got a bit of talent though. Ives has him as a possible 1st rounder, depending on Monday's performance.
Estupian and Plato are also getting solid reviews. Supposedly the Los Angeles Galaxy are interested in Victor Estupian, while Jaoa Plato is a goal scorer after day one of the combine. They are each certainly 2nd round talents.
And now Matt Kessel, the Maryland Midfielder with time in the New York Red Bulls Academy, is not returning to college and not signing as an HGP. He's likely a first round talent if he enters the draft, and maybe another late GA addition.
This is going to be a draft that seems deep enough, and with teams that need more help now (how many of the top half pickers can afford to miss Playoffs two years in a row?) that it seems more likely every day that a GA player or two drops out of the first round.
Seattle's 21st pick seems more and more valuable every day. The Sounders could get two of the following players in this draft - Kinne, Rooney, Warshaw, Ganchozo, Tetteh or Ababio. With the two later 2nd round picks, and a third, Seattle could get guys in more of a developmental situation. Maybe I'm getting caught up in the Draft hype, but I like the way this is working out.
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theres so much talent in this draft
im glad we have 3 second round picks…
im starting to get some favorites i hope we get.
The way I see it, is it worth gambling on a young goalkeeper who will likely not be ready to command the defense for a number of years and bypass other talents in the field?
I haven’t really looked into the players in the draft too much, but my view of the team as a whole is that we need challengers for starter positions at the L and R back spots far greater than the need for a backup GK. More than likely, we’ll be able to sign a mature GK in the summer window or during the offseason next year.
I'll have somethign today looking at GKs
Long story short, it would be unprecedented for MacMath to lead the Sounders to a playoff round victory within a couple of years. The youngest goalkeeper to win a round in the playoffs was 24.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 10, 2011 9:46 AM PST up reply actions
Rooney scoring today likely moves his stock up again
Not that it should, but it will
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Jan 10, 2011 10:05 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Not that it should, but it will
+1
Win or lose, we will always be here for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Jan 10, 2011 10:52 AM PST up reply actions
Plato with two more goals today
For three in the Combine.
Supposedly Game Day Two is the big movement day.
3 internationals in the first round?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Plato has been schooling Boxall
Boxall just isn’t fast enough to keep Plato contained when he comes toward goal.
I'm only following on twitter so thanks for that
Boxall looked good on Day one.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
He hasn’t looked nearly as good today.
by Dizzo on Jan 10, 2011 11:57 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
You able to do a Game Day Two recap?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Winners and Losers
I imagine this will really start to separate F.O. talent into winners and losers. It’s getting complicated and nobody has even started trading anything around yet. Montreal probably has the largest frown an this point, but it will be an interesting few days of digging around on every team’s blog after this all goes down. That said, the draft still has only so much impact on the quality of the teams being put on the field.
I haven't watched that much of any of hte games, but
I’ve been less than impressed with Ampaipitakwong. He hasn’t added much to the midfield.
Have to admit
I’d be kinda shocked at this point if that’s who the Sounders take. And I say that as someone who was convinced he was on their short-list.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 10, 2011 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
Having not watched any of the combine, there still is an axiom about combines in all sports
That players can move up, but you do not usually move players down. Playing with players that you have never played with before does have an affect on some players. I am guessing that the Sounders have scouted most of these players all season long. Are they going to go with what they have seen all season long or just these two days? I am guessing the former.
That said, I could see someone jumping ahead of him on other teams boards leaving players dropping down that we did not originally think would be available.
I think it also depends where we pick some guys up
I’m sure there aren’t many that are worth getting with our current first round pick, but if they fall into one of the three second round picks they might be worth it then if still available.
I am just as excited with the 2nd round picks
The Sounders did not do well with their 2nd round pick the first year and Seamon last year is still an unknown (For that matters, so is Estrada). However, I almost feel as if the Sounders have put more time into scouting this season than in years past.
There really could be some steals in the 2nd round even though there are two more teams to make draft picks.
Maybe I should rephrase
Considering we have no idea what the sounders thought of ampi before the combine, I’m basing my thoughts on him on what we saw this week, as opposed to the highlights I’ve seen and read about him at Akron. I agree, I don’t think the sounders’ opinions have changed that much, but mine have.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 10, 2011 12:57 PM PST up reply actions
The way i see it in my opinion
if Ampaipitakwong had a great combine so far the less likely i see him being available at 11 for us to pick. He didn’t seem that impressive to me today when i saw him play which may be a good thing to Seattle if they want to get him with their first pick.
He'll be there at 11, I have no doubt
The question, I think, is whether or not he’s available at 21.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 10, 2011 1:34 PM PST up reply actions
I just wonder what they have in mind. There really is no way to know
The Sounders surprised everyone with Estrada last year. Could there be another player that they have fallen in love with from their own Las Vegas combine?
I know you wanted to draft him in the mock draft with one of the later picks
Ives thinks Josh Ford hurt himself at the combine and did not look good. I wonder if the Sounders will choose him with the third pick of the second if he is available?
indeed
I would be surprised if he drops into the 2nd round.
He isn't answering the biggest questions about him on this stage.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
From my discussions
SJ fans would like Amp a lot at pick #15, 4 slots below seattle at #11
Win or lose, we will always be here for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Jan 11, 2011 12:13 PM PST up reply actions
I think a large part of it has to do with Akron's style of play
When you have spent the last four years playing in a particular system it is difficult to all of a sudden play like everyone else. It was clear yesterday there were times when he was expecting a return pass or a one-two that was interrupted by another player trying to go 1v1. A better indication of his true talent level is the College Cup, not a haphazard thrown together team at a combine.
by TheTank123 on Jan 11, 2011 12:11 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The question is...
Can the Sounders make the run to Kessel in less than 12 picks?
Thank you, I’ll be here all week, try the chicken.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. We are all around you, there is no escape.
by 108Ultra on Jan 10, 2011 3:26 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
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