MLS Mock Draft: Sounders select Taylor Peay with No. 21 pick

As the draft deepens boards diverge. Unlike other American sports there is much less consensus as to who the best players are, especially in a league with an expanding mix of playing styles and systems. Seattle Sounders FC is quite familiar with the UW Husky men's soccer team. They have several Academy players there and scout the college side often (sometimes to watch the opponent for sure).

Peay is a decent defender with great size, leaping ability and a nose for goal. His ability to play out of the back is lacking and he could improve his tactical awareness.

What Sounders FC will be looking for in the draft: Depth that can contribute in the Open Cup and Reserve League. Seattle does not make "need" picks. With the second pick that is more difficult. They can sit and wait for development.

Who the experts say Seattle will pick: The best CAM or CB available at the time, because most mocks use needs as a guide. But this is the Seattle club that drafted Estrada, Tetteh, Duran and Zavaleta with their first picks. None filled a need.

Why I'm invariably wrong: Seattle's board variety is large. With a nearly dedicated college scout that travels the country to look at talent, easy access to PDL matches with four clubs within driving distance of CenturyLink and one of the most well respected college coaches in NCAA history their awareness of players is greater than almost everyone. It may not be "right" but it is not from a lack of preparation.

Why I'm smarter than the pundits: I'm not, in fact I didn't even draft they guy I wanted to pick, that would be Pedro Ribeiro who went just two picks after Peay. Taylor is second round talent and has some limited exposure to pro-quality coaching from a smattering of Academy time with Salt Lake (Seattle drafted and flipped a guy like that once before). Plus he played for the UW, and that's got to be worth... something.

Full Mock Draft results (click on player names to see the profiles)

First Round

Second Round