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2013 MLS Supplemental Draft: Sounders pick Will Bates, Kevin Durr

Among the players chosen by the Sounders in the Supplemental Draft is former U.S. youth international Will Bates, who was a prolific scorer at Virginia.

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The MLS Supplemental Draft is a bit of a crapshoot, but every year a handful of useful players get picked and every now and then real starts emerge. Last year, for instance, the Seattle Sounders swung a deal for Andy Rose, who ended up being their most effective rookie in 2012.

This year, the Sounders are hoping Will Bates (F, Virginia), Kevin Durr (M, Air Force), Kevin Olali (M, South Florida), LeBogang Meloto (M, Lindsey Wilson) or Jennings Rex (M/F Charlotte) could have a similar impact.

Of that group, Bates would seem to have the highest upside. The 6-foot, 185-pound target forward was a prolific scorer at Virginia, banging in 46 goals during is four seasons. He closed out his career by scoring 12 goals 20 games in 2012. His draft status was hurt by some injuries, most notably an ACL injury during his junior season that he hasn't entirely recovered from. Prior to his injury, was considered a top MLS prospect and was a member of the U.S. U-18 team that competed in the NI Milk Cup in 2009.


Durr also has some interesting pedigree. The midfielder spent his youth in Germany and played with Bayern Munich and Bayern Leverkusen and played on the U.S. U-15 team. His final two seasons at Air Force saw him score 11 goals and dish out 15 assists.

Olali's college stats don't jump off the page, but he was lauded for being very athletic by MLS scouts. Seems to potentially have a future as an outside mid. Rex finished out his career at Charlotte with 11 goals in his senior year. The knock on him would seem to be his size, as he's listed at just 154 pounds. Information on Meloto is extremely limited, so I will just trust the Sounders on this one. Although, there was this video:


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