2012 MLS Mock Draft 2 Rounds
This will be my first mock draft with 2 rounds. I wanted to wait until after the MLS Playoffs before posting a 2 round mock draft. Please comment and email me on any 2nd rounders who you believe should be on this list. I felt like I put too many forwards on this list near the end.
Email me at [email protected] to share your take on a pick.
Round 1
1. Montreal Impact Darren Mattocks Forward Akron Sophomore The Montreal Impact hold the first pick in the 2012 MLS Super Draft. Expansion teams have a tendency to take strikers with the top pick. Akron striker Darren Mattocks tallied 18 goals as a freshman and matched that total as a sophomore after Akron lost 9 other players 7 to the 2011 MLS Super Draft and 2 players due to transfers.
The fact that Mattocks matched his goal total after losing an immense amount of talent at Akron pretty much convinces me that Mattocks can become a cornerstone player for an MLS Expansion Franchise.
Mattocks really dominated in the 2011 College Cup. Mattocks created constant scoring chances in Thursday nights tournament opening win against Northwestern as Mattocks scored the put away goal in the 77th minute.
On Sunday Mattocks helped guide defending Champion Akron to a 3-2 victory over 6 seed SMU. Akron will face Charlotte next Sunday. Charlotte knocked off 11 seed UAB. If Akron wins next Sunday like many people expect them to then Mattocks could face 3 seed Connecticut in the quarterfinals in 2 weeks.
Most MLS Draft Boards have Duke defender Andrew Wenger as the top player on their boards. Wenger and Duke blew a 1 to 0 lead to unbeaten New Mexico in the 2nd round of the College Cup.
Does Montreal follow the forward trend and take Mattocks? Or does Montreal add Andrew Wenger put him at right back next to rookie center back Nelson Rivas?
For now, Mattocks is the top pick because I believe he is a franchise player who brings more to the table long term than Duke defenseman Andrew Wenger. Things could change down the road, but you cannot ignore the growing trend of expansion teams taking striker forwards with the first pick.
Unless Mattocks turns down a Generation Adidas Deal I expect him to be the top pick. Akron plays Northwestern in an opener match up where the winner of that game plays #6 seed SMU on Sunday.
2. Vancouver Whitecaps Andrew Wenger Defenseman Duke Junior Its becoming clearer and clearer that Mattocks and Wenger go #1 and #2 overall if both sign Generation Adidas Players. Wenger is #1 on Vancouver’s draft board. The Whitecaps need a center back/defensive midfielder. Wenger is clearly the best defensive player available.
Vancouver only scored 35 goals all year. Wenger has 42 points and 17 goals with Duke so he could provide some offensive pop while aiding Vancouver’s anemic defense.
If Montreal takes Wenger I think Vancouver looks at Dillon Powers as the #2 overall pick. If Powers returns to school then UCLA’s Kelyn Rowe is an option.
Wenger should be one of the 8 Generation Adidas players for the 2012 MLS Super Draft. About 8 GA players get selected each year. With Mattocks and Wenger gone only 6 Generation Adidas player remain.
Andrew Wenger, Dillon Powers, Kelyn Rowe are the top 3 players on the Whitecaps draft board.
Omar Salgado has played with Rowe and Notre Dame’s Dillon Powers on USA’s Under 18 and USA Under 20 teams. The team chemistry is there with both players. I like Powers better than Rowe. There is talk that Powers returns or that Rowe could go ahead of Powers if Montreal takes Wenger.
At the end of the day though I believe Vancouver gets Andrew Wenger. Wenger really looked impressive when Vancouver watched him play against Georgia State.
3. New England Revolution Enzo Martinez Midfielder North Carolina Junior A new regime is about to take place in New England. Brian Bilello is now New England’s team president while Michael Burns is now the Revolution’s GM. Both Bilello and Burns have climbed the corporate latter in New England. Bilello and Burns have gone from taking start up jobs to now running the front office for the Revolution. I cannot see either Bilello or Burns screwing this up. I think New England is going to look at each player very carefully.
Enzo Martinez scored 10 goals as a sophomore. Martinez has 8 goals and 10 assists as a junior so far leading up to tournament play. Martinez has the consistency to be a 10 goal scorer and 10 goal assist man that UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe has yet to showcase. People are talking about Rowe like he’s the next big thing. Some MLS Scouts say Rowe can be a 10 goal scorer and 10 assist a year type of player. Rowe hasn’t convinced me that he can be a franchise player plus his production has significantly declined in 2011 after a 7 goal, 10 assist, and 24 point freshman campaign in 2010. I believe New England will take this factor into heavy account and end up drafting Martinez.
With Martinez gone only 5 Generation Adidas players remain. New England really liked what they saw out of
4. Toronto FC Ashton Bennett Forward Coastal Carolina Junior Ashton Bennett recorded 21 goals, 6 assists, and 48 points as a junior. Bennett owned Tar Heel center back Matt Hedges in the one on one battles generating 1 goal and 1 assist in a valiant effort against the Tar Heels.
Bennett deserves to be a top 5 pick if he comes out and signs a Generation Adidas Deal. Toronto FC is a perfect spot for Bennett at #4 overall.
Previous Pick Billy Schuler Forward North Carolina Junior Redshirt
5. Chivas USA Dillon Powers Defenseman Notre Dame Junior Powers can play defensive midfielder or center back. Powers was the captain of the US Under 20 soccer team. I get a feeling that Powers will declare and end up becoming a top 5 pick.
There are a lot of players that Chivas USA likes. Dillon Powers, Eric Schoele, Kelyn Rowe, Chandler Hoffman, and Casey Townsend. Maybe they will use the MLS Combine to crown their first round choice. For now I will give Chivas USA Powers even though I could see Chivas going in a lot of different directions.
Previous Pick Kelyn Rowe Midfielder UCLA
6. San Jose Earthquakes Eric Schoele Defenseman West Virginia Junior Eric Schoele has the best ability among defensive defenders after Duke’s Andrew Wenger. Schoele has versatility to play center back, right back, or left back. Schoele would make a great addition to the Earthquakes.
Brian “Cobi” Span is considered the best available player. I think he returns for his junior year with forward Will Bates returning for his senior redshirt year. Span looks like a future top 5 pick. Span could potentially challenge Indiana freshman forward Eriq Zavaleta who scored 10 goals in 2011 for the #1 pick in the 2013 MLS Super Draft if Span returns to school.
Schoele is a defensive defender. He showed the ability of an offensive defender. should be the 6th straight Generation Adidas player drafted. This leaves only 2 Generation Adidas Players with the first 6 Generation Adidas Players gone.
7. DC United Hunter Jumper Defenseman Virginia Senior The DC United need a left back. Jumper is the best left back available plus he is a local prospect. This pick makes a ton of sense for DC United. These first 7 picks look set in stone as long as all of the following 6 players get Generation Adidas Deals.
8. Portland Timbers Matt Hedges Defenseman North Carolina Senior Portland’s biggest need is on defense. Matt Hedges struggled against Coastal Carolina. There are only 3 center backs left that are worth taking a first round flyer on. Those players are Matt Hedges, Aaron Maund, and Austin Berry. I will give Hedges the edge for now even though I would not be comfortable taking any of those players. If UCLA’s Kelyn Rowe is still available then Portland could trade down for more picks.
Portland should send their scouting department to watch Berry face Maryland because Hedges did not leave the Timbers with a good impression against Coastal Carolina.
The 6 foot 4 Tar Heel center back may not have the potential to translate to the MLS. He is the most ready defenseman for the MLS though. Hedges is ready to play in the MLS next season even though the long term potential may not be there. Portland wants a player who can help their team win now and get to the playoffs. I think they draft that player by obtaining Matt Hedges.
9. Chicago Fire Luis Silva Midfielder UC Santa Barbara Senior Chicago takes the top available senior here. The Chicago Fire watched Luis Silva on Sunday and liked what they saw. Silva should be the pick here for the time being.
I think the Fire send their scouts to the UCLA game VS Rutgers this week hoping to gain a better impression on Generation Adidas Players. Silva is the Frontrunner to get picked by the Fire. He is certainly not a lock for Chicago though.
10. Columbus Crew Kelyn Rowe Midfielder UCLA With Dillon Powers likely to return, expect Aaron Maund to be the first Notre Dame defender drafted. The Notre Dame center back could fit in nicely with the Columbus Crew.
Columbus likes what they see with Aaron Maund. The top 7 picks in my 2012 MLS Mock look set in stone at this point. UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe could be quite the bargain at this point. Columbus also likes center back Aaron Maund.
I will mock Kelyn Rowe to Columbus this week. I think Columbus sends their scouts to the UCLA game against Rutgers on Sunday. If Rowe struggles, then I can always change the pick back to Maund.
Previous Pick Aaron Maund Defenseman Notre Dame Senior
11. FC Dallas Casey Townsend Forward Maryland Senior Chandler Hoffman has been an effective goal scorer for UCLA. FC Dallas should take a shot on the Generation Adidas Prospect. Maryland forward Casey Townsend would have been a Generation Adidas player last year. Townsend scored a hat trick against a very good West Virginia defense that could wind up with a 1 generation Adidas player along with a late round pick at right back.
FC Dallas should send their scouts to the Maryland VS Louisville game on Sunday.
FC Dallas went to the UCLA game and was impressed with Rowe. Brek Shea leads the team in goals despite playing left wing. Hot talk about Shea leaving FC Dallas to joint Arsenal is really heating up plus Hoffman is playing much better than UCLA’s Kelyn Rowe at this point.
Previous Pick Chandler Hoffman Forward UCLA Junior
12. Toronto FC from New York Red Bulls Austin Berry Defenseman Louisville Senior Austin Berry is considered a top 5 pick among the fans. The problem is Berry is a borderline first round pick in the eyes of the critics. Its going to be difficult to determine where he lands. #12 overall is a safe bet because Toronto FC will need a center back plus Berry provides great value here.
13. Philadelphia Union Kevan George Midfielder Central Florida Senior Kevan George can be an effective defensive midfielder. George showed the ability to score against a future midfielder. George looks like a potential top 15 pick.
I believe Philadelphia will attend the MLS Combine looking at George and Aaron Maund very closely.
Previous Pick Matt Lodge Midfielder Kentucky
14. Colorado Rapids Chandler Hoffman Forward UCLA Junior Hoffman scored the only goal in UCLA’s win over Delaware. Colorado will send their scouts to UCLA to watch the Bruins face Rutgers on Sunday. Hoffman is the final generation adidas player left.
Previous Pick Casey Townsend Forward Mayland Senior
15. Seattle Sounders Raymond Gaddis Defenseman West Virginia Senior Raymond Gaddis is a right back for West Virginia. Seattle likes Gaddis so he should be the pick here.
16. Sporting Kansas City Chris Blais Goalie South Florida Senior Redshirt Sporting Kansas City needs a goalie since their goalie turns 34 soon. There are 2 prospects that Sporting Kansas City could consider here. South Florida goalie Chris Blais and Central Florida defensive midfielder Kevin George. Sporting Kansas City will watch the Central Florida game VS Florida Gulf Coast. The winner plays South Florida in the 2011 College Cup. I think Real Salt Lake will also be in attendance at both of these games as well.
Blais was impressive in South Florida’s 2 to 1 win over Central Florida. Blais looks like the top goalie still.
17. Real Salt Lake Aaron Maund Defenseman Notre Dame Senior Aaron Maund is a Notre Dame senior at central back. Maund slides to this selection with the wake of underclassmen declaring.
Real Salt Lake will use the MLS Combine here. Or Real Salt Lake will deal this late first round pick. The MLS Super Draft was 4 rounds in 2010 when the league had 16 teams. It got cut to 3 rounds when the league went to 18 teams. The Super Draft is only 2 rounds with 38 total picks which is why every pick is critical.
Previous Pick Kevan George Midfielder Central Florida
18. Houston Dynamo Ethan Finlay Forward Creighton Senior Ethan Finlay and Colin Rolfe appear to be the 18th and 19th best players at this point. Finlay has stayed consistent while Rolfe has fallen a bit off of the map.
Ethan Finlay scored 2 of the 3 goals that Creighton tallied in their 3 to 0 shutout over Northern Illinois. Creighton faces UC Santa Barbara next week.
19. Los Angeles Galaxy Colin Rolfe Forward Louisville Senior Rolfe has the potential to fill a huge void with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Rolfe would be a good pickup in the event that he slides this far.
Colin Rolfe played well against a legit 2nd round defender on Bradley. Rolfe could move up boards. LA Galaxy should send their scouts to the Louisville VS Maryland game.
Round 2
20. Montreal Impact Ryan Meara Goalie Fordham Senior Meara is the best player available and is better suited to start out as a backup. Meara and Crieghton’s Brian Holt are competing to be the 2nd goalie taken in 2012.
Montreal will decide which goalie they like better at the MLS Combine. The Impact will probably also use the MLS Combine to look at some of the top players on their board.
21. Vancouver Whitecaps Brian Holt Goalie Senior Redshirt The Whitecaps need a goalie upgrade. Brian Holt recorded a shutout against Northern Illinois sunday. Holt is capable of starting in Vancouver.
Vancouver should send their scouts to Creighton’s next game against UC Santa Barbara.
22. New England Revolution Antoine Hoppenot Forward Princeton Senior New England seems like the kind of MLS team that would spend an early 2nd round pick on an Ivy League player. Hoppenot scored 10 goals as a sophomore and 9 as a junior.
23. Chicago Fire from Toronto FC Brian Ownby Forward Virginia Senior Brian Ownby may have been the #1 overall pick in the 2011 MLS Super Draft if he was not so injury prone. Ownby is a good pick here for the Chicago Fire.
24. Chivas USA Arthur Ivo Midfielder SMU Senior Arthur Ivo looked impressive against Akron despite the loss. Ivo had 10 goals as a junior. Ivo has 9 goals and 10 assists as as senior.
25. San Jose Earthquakes Christopher Tweet-Kent Midfielder Duke Senior Christopher Tweet-Kent generated 12 assists for Duke in 2011. He has a history of obtaining yellow cards which sometimes generates to getting red cards. The Earthquakes need to come away from this draft with an attacking midfielder.
Christopher Wondolowski is a striker who scored 16 goals. Wondolowski has no one who can get him the ball at midfield which really limits the Earthquakes ability to win.
26. Columbus Crew from DC United Bobby Smith Defenseman Bradley Senior Bobby Smith would give the Crew a much needed defensive presence.
27. Portland Timbers Andrew Fontein Goalie UC Irvine Senior Fontein would be a good addition for Portland to add at goaltender.
28. Chicago Fire Adam Glick Goalie Florida Gult Coast Senior Adam Glick is a Senior Lowes Classic Finalist. The Fire need to add another goalie and Glick the only goalie worth adding at this point.
29. Columbus Crew Luigi Clendening Forward Georgia Southern Senior Clendening is a player who can generate 10 goals and 10 assists. He struggles due to a lack of size which is why Clendening falls to 29th overall.
30. Sporting Kansas City from FC Dallas Adam Still Defenseman SMU Senior Adam Still could develop into a quality center back for Sporting Kansas City.
31. New York Red Bulls Matt Horn Midfielder Winthrop Senior Horn is a defensive midfielder who could boost the New York Red Bulls defense.
32. Philadephia Union Juan Peralta Midfielder Vermont Senior Juan Peralta is an attacking midfielder. Peralta went to community college in high school. That’s how smart Peralta was when it came to academics. Peralta is a bit of a tweener because its uncertain whether he is a natural forward or a natural midfielder.
33. San Jose Earthquakes from Colorado Rapids Greg Kalzura Defenseman Notre Dame Senior Kalzura is a left back who could help boost the Earthquakes defense.
34. Seattle Sounders Evans Frimpong Forward Delaware Senior Frimpong had 12 goals, 5 assists, and 29 points as a forward in 2011.
35. Philadelphia Union from Sporting Kansas City Perez Agazba Forward Senior IUPUI Senior 4.0 GPA and a Lowes Finalist.
36. Real Salt Lake Max Touloute Forward IPFW Senior Touloute had 13 goals, 9 assists, and 35 points as a senior. He should be a late 2nd round pick.
37. Houston Dynamo Lucky Mkosana Forward Dartmouth Senior This Dartmouth striker has been blessed with 10 goals in 2011.
38. Los Angeles Galaxy Brent Richards Forward Washington Senior Richards had 10 goals and 5 assists as a senior. Richards had 8 goals and 5 assists as a junior.
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Kind of weird to see “rookie” in front of Nelson Rivas. I also don’t think Montreal will pick a goalie in the draft because they already signed a goalie to play backup next season and they have one of the best under20 goalies with Maxime Crepeau.
Thanks for pointing this out. Rivas is not a rookie. They might get a rookie in Wenger though. I’m leaning towards Mattocks at this point.
Great Mock draft btw. Do you think Connor Lade, Tony Cascio, Nick Deleon, Karo Okiomah, or Krystian Witkowski will be taken in the supplementary draft?
Thanks, Ben. Don’t some of the players have exclusive rights with certain clubs.
If the Vancouver Whitecaps are looking to solidify their pourous defense, they should pick Andrew Jean-Baptiste, the defensive player of the year. I seriously believe this kid is for real. He’s been collecting awards after award (See the last one below).
Junior central defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste, who helped the University of Connecticut register a 3-0 win over James Madison University in an NCAA Division I men’s soccer tournament game on Sunday, was named the winner of the SoccerSavings.com/ BigAppleSoccer.com men’s college player of the week on Monday.
I love Andrew Jean Baptiste as a player as well. I’m just not sure if he comes out as a Generation Adidas Player which is why he wasn’t mentioned in my mock this week. I’m not going to lie there was a strong temptation to put him in my top 5 this week. I saw the James Madison game. Andrew Jean Baptiste looked amazing in the contest. I’m waiting to see what Andrew does before I make a conclusion because I could see the decision going either way. Either way, you got to appreciate what Andrew’s doing for U Conn if you attend Connecticut. Andrew will be a top 3 pick to Vancouver or New England if he does go pro this year. Its going to come down to Wenger VS Andrew Jean Baptiste and which player Vancouver likes better. I see the Revolution taking one of those 2 defenders if both go pro in 2012. Connecticut could contend again if Andrew returns. It cannot be an easy decision if you are an underclassmen with all the pressure on you.
Any new news on where ray gaddis will be going?