2012 MLS Mock Draft 2 Round Update
Louisville forward Colin Rolfe and UCLA defensive midfielder Andy Rose are borderline first round picks. Will either player slip out of the first round of the 2012 MLS Super Draft?
This will be a 2 round MLS Mock Draft prior to the 2012 MLS Combine. The final 9 Generation Adidas Players have been set in stone. Mattocks, Wenger, Hoffman, Jean Baptiste, Rowe, Garza, Polak, Dwyer, and Martinez make up the 2012 Generation Adidas Pool.
The final 2012 MLS Mock Draft will be posted on Wednesday January 11th the day before the draft. The 2012 MLS Super Draft can be seen on ESPN 2 on January 12th. Feel free to post any constructive comments or positive feedback in the comments page. Just make sure there is good reasoning behind the arguments you present. To interact with me on certain picks you can also email me [email protected].
Round 1
1. Montreal Impact Darren Mattocks Forward Akron Sophomore Montreal needs a striker. The Montreal Impact have stacked up at midfield, defense, and goalie. The only need left to address is striker.
I posted on December 7th here on Rant Sports that Mattocks would sign a GA deal and that Mattocks would be the #1 pick in the draft.
One week later there were rumors about Mattocks playing in Europe before Mattocks finalized a deal to sign with Generation Adidas on December 20th where Major League Soccer’s official league website confirmed that Mattocks would go pro like I stated nearly 2 weeks prior to the Generation Adidas announcement.
Montreal taking Mattocks in Kansas City on January 12th with the #1 overall pick looks pretty much cemented at this point.
2. Vancouver Whitecaps Andrew Wenger Defenseman Duke Junior Wenger has the versatility to play anywhere on the field. Center back and defensive midfielder are his two most natural positions. Ironically enough those are the Whitecaps two most dire needs.
Andrew Wenger is not working out at the 2012 MLS Combine. Wenger is the only player who I consider a remote threat to challenge Mattocks for the #1 pick at this point. The fact that Wenger wants to skip the MLS Combine left me with the impression that I should be skeptical about Wenger’s work ethic moving forward.
Wenger plays for Duke and is getting nominated for the 2012 Hermann Trophy award for College Soccer’s best player. The fact that Wenger got nominated for the 2012 Hermann Trophy should tell you all you need to know about Andrew Wenger’s ability to deliver strong leadership qualities.
Wenger was going to be a top 2 selection regardless of whether he worked out at the 2012 MLS Combine. Not showing up really did not hurt his stock since he was projected to go so high. It did sort of leave me with the wrong impression though. Hopefully Wenger puts everything together and succeeds in the MLS.
3. New England Revolution Enzo Martinez Midfielder North Carolina Junior Billy Sculer is bolting for Europe. New England probably will pursue midfield in wake of these recent events. The likely candidates to join the Revolution are either UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe or North Carolina midfielder Enzo Martinez.
Rowe may be the consensus pick. I will go with Enzo Martinez because New England has tendency to add those ACC players.
Chandler Hoffman reminds me so much of Taylor Twellman as UCLA’s forward. Do not rule out Hoffman as the 3rd pick if neither Rowe or Martinez satisfy the Revolution.
The Seattle Sounders really like Kelyn Rowe. I do think the Sounders may possibly move up for Rowe. I posted an article where I said a trade could occur at #5. One of our comment posters Steve thinks a trade between Seattle and New England has a very realistic chance of occurring at #3 overall because the Revolution and Sounders play in opposing conferences. Michael Fucito a local Harvard player is really emerging as a intriguing trade commodity. Fucito was a 2009 4th round pick out of Harvard and a depth player on the Sounders who has really emerged into a potential starter. Perhaps a deal involving Fucito, Seattle’s 2012 first rounder, and some additional picks may take place if New England is not contempt with any of their draft options.
4. Toronto FC Andrew Jean Baptiste Defenseman Connecticut Sophomore Toronto FC finally addresses center back here. I think Andrew Jean Baptiste is more defensively sound than Andrew Wenger at this point in his career.
A defensive tandem featuring Andrew Jean Baptiste at center back, Ashtone Morgan at left back, and Jeremy Hall at right back would really solidify some of Toronto’s defensive woes making goaltender Stefan Frei’s job much easier moving forward in 2012.
Toronto has a chance to contend right off the back if they land Andrew Jean Baptiste with the 4th overall pick. I would not discount the idea of Toronto taking Kelyn Rowe at midfielder if he slips to 4th overall. A senior non Generation Adidas player for Toronto FC fans to keep an eye on is Nick DeLeon.
5. Chivas USA Kelyn Rowe Midfielder UCLA Sophomore Rowe will not slide past #5 overall. Chivas USA will either take Rowe as the best player available or deal this pick to a team like the Seattle Sounders.
The Sounders do not really need Rowe. Seattle loves Rowe as a prospect. Do not be shocked if Seattle throws a farm of 2012 and 2013 MLS draft picks in a blockbuster deal towards Chivas USA for this pick.
I posted an article on Rant Sports about how the Sounders really like UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe. This hot talk MLS rumor could stir up a lot of buzz leading up to the 2012 MLS Super Draft if the New England Revolution, Toronto FC, or Chivas USA opts to trade their top 5 pick.
http://www.rantsports.com/mock-draft/2011/12/31/seattle-sounders-may-move-up-for-kelyn-rowe/
6. San Jose Earthquakes Nick DeLeon Midfielder Louisville Senior Nick DeLeon has the versatility to play anywhere at forward, midfield, or defense. DeLeon had 6 goals and 6 assists in 2011. DeLeon is my top senior player available at this point.
7. DC United Tyler Polak Defenseman Creighton Sophomore DC United’s biggest need is at left back. Polak has to to be the pick for DC United considering left back is one area they need to upgrade.
8. Portland Timbers Matt Hedges Defenseman North Carolina Senior This is really where the 2012 MLS Draft begins to get interesting. All of the best players available are forwards. Portland seems like they want to use year 2 to build their team around defense.
The Timbers are stacked at midfielder and signed two forwards this offseason. Matt Hedges is 6 foot 4 200 pounds. Hedges can make an impact in the MLS even if he does not display that high ceiling that teams will look for. Hedges would be a quality center back for Portland. Hedges seems like an enticing option for a team that wants to contend now while discounting where a team may stand long term. I really get the feeling that Portland wants to contend now.
I think there is a realistic chance that the first trade in the 2012 MLS Super Draft could occur at this spot if no one moves up for Rowe in the top 5. The reason I believe that is because Portland wants a center back and there are still Generation Adidas underclassmen and seniors like Luis Silva and Casey Townsend available. That really makes this pick worth a lot of value and Portland could command a lot for this 8th selection.
9. Chicago Fire Luis Silva Midfielder UC Santa Barbara Senior Marco Pappa is the Fire’s best midfielder. Pappa is great secondary goal scorer. He struggled to generate assists. Pappa can move to the wing with Luis Silva taking over as the teams attacking midfielder.
The Chicago Fire could use forward depth. I think adding a midfielder like Silva should be priority #1 for the Chicago Fire.
10. Columbus Crew Sam Garza Forward UC Santa Barbara Junior Redshirt Garza has the versatility to play forward or midfielder. I think the Crew will be attracted by Garza’s versatility.
11. FC Dallas Chandler Hoffman Forward UCLA Junior If Chandler Hoffman slips out of the top 10 I highly doubt he slips past FC Dallas. FC Dallas loves Hoffman as a prospect. FC Dallas has watched Hoffman play multiple times in the College Cup coming away impressed on both visits.
12. Toronto FC from New York Red Bulls Casey Townsend Forward Maryland Senior Toronto FC can take the best player available here. That player would clearly be Casey Townsend. Townsend would have been a Generation Adidas player last year. Townsend’s consistency gives him a slight edge over Dom Dwyer in my mind at this point. Townsend also recorded a hat trick against a talented West Virginia defense featuring center back Eric Schoelene and right back Raymond Gaddis during the 2011 College Cup.
13. Philadelphia Union Austin Berry Defenseman Louisville Senior I feel like someone will take a flyer on Austin Berry. I had the Louisville center back graded out as my top prospect heading into the preseason. Maybe the Philadelphia Union decide to go with Berry here.
14. Colorado Rapids Dom Dwyer Forward South Florida Junior Dwyer is the final Generation Adidas prospect. I’ll mock Dwyer to Colorado here because they did not have that 10 goal scorer in 2011. Jeff Larentowicz led the Rapids with 7 goals.
15. Seattle Sounders Chris Estridge Defenseman Indiana Senior It would not hurt the Sounders to add a left back. Estridge is the top left back available.
16. Sporting Kansas City Tommy Meyer Defenseman Indiana Senior Tommy Meyer is my top graded center back at this point. Sporting Kansas City needs a center back so I got Tommy Meyer going here.
17. Real Salt Lake Ryan Meara Goalie Fordham Senior Redshirt Ryan Meara is starting to separate himself as the nations top goaltender. Teams usually reach for a goalie in the first round.
Real Salt Lake goaltender Nick Rimando is 32 years old. Real Salt Lake needs to groom a successor. Meara could be that keeper for the future.
18. Houston Dynamo Tony Cascio Midfielder Connecticut Senior Someone will take Cascio in the first round. I feel like the Houston Dynamo are a team that has the luxury of taking the best player available.
19. Los Angeles Galaxy Andy Rose Defenseman UCLA Senior LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena drafted UCLA midfielder Michael Stephens in 2010. His son Kenny Arena is an assistant coach at UCLA plus Bruce can get inside information on practically any UCLA Bruins player.
Round 2
20. Montreal Impact Ethan Finlay Forward Creighton Senior Montreal will need two strikers. The Impact can double dip at striker getting a steal with Finlay at the top of round 2. I really believe Finlay has first round talent. The Impact would be getting a steal if they get Finlay here.
21. Vancouver Whitecaps Aaron Maund Defenseman Notre Dame Senior Vancouver loves Notre Dame defenders. A center back tandem featuring Wenger and Maund would solidify the inside with 2 center backs on defense if everything works out. A defensive midfielder along with 2 outside backs are also needed. Adding Maund to pair up with Wenger would be a huge start when it comes to rebuilding Vancouver’s defense.
22. New England Revolution Kirk Urso Midfielder North Carolina Senior New England took an offensive midfielder in Enzo Martinez in round 1. Now the Revolution take another Tar Heel. Urso is a defensive midfielder who is really making a surge up 2012 MLS Draft Boards.
23. Chicago Fire from Toronto FC Raymond Gaddis Defenseman West Virginia Senior Gaddis would make an outstanding outside back upgrade for the Fire. Gaddis has the athleticism to play right back or left back.
24. Chivas USA Colin Rolfe Forward Louisville Senior Chivas USA gets Colin Rolfe at the top of the 2nd round. Around August of 2011 Chivas USA was dreaming of Rolfe falling to their lap with their first round pick. Now Chivas USA’s dream becomes a potential reality with Rolfe’s poor senior campaign at Louisville.
25. San Jose Earthquakes Arthur Ivo Midfielder SMU Senior Ivo generated 10 assists in 2011. Ivo can play midfielder and has the versatility to move to the wing. Ivo is an ideal pick for the San Jose Earthquakes. San Jose needs a 10 assist playmaker and an additional player on the wing.
26. Columbus Crew from DC United Kevan George Defenseman Central Florida Senior I really do not see why defensive midfielder is such a dire need for the Crew. George should be a top 25 pick so I will just mock George to the Crew here.
27. Portland Timbers RJ Allen Defenseman Monmouth Senior RJ Allen is a defensive midfielder with the versatility to move to right back. Allen makes too much sense for the Portland Timbers. Lots of Timbers fans and draft experts want the team to add a right back with their 2nd round pick.
28. Chicago Fire Brian Ownby Forward Virginia Senior Dominic Oduro scored 12 goals as the teams main striker. Patrik Nyarko tallied 9 assists as the teams secondary striker. Nyarko did not even finish in the top 5 in goals on the team.
Nyarko was widely considered the consensus #1 overall pick back in 2008. Nyakro slipped to 7th by some miracle. Break Shea, Tony Beltran, Sean Franklin were the only 3 players drafted ahead of Nyarko in 2008 that have really stood out remaining with their teams heading into 2012 besides Nyarko.
A forward like Ownby has to be brought in for depth. Ownby is too good to pass on if he slips to #28 overall. If Nyarko does not improve his goal scoring as the Fire’s secondary striker you can move Nyakro and Pappa to the wing with Luis Silva as that primary attacking midfielder. This would really improve Chicago’s offensive firepower.
29. Columbus Crew Lucky Mkosena Forward Dartmouth Senior Lucky Mkosena may make an effective secondary striker for the Crew at this point.
30. Sporting Kansas City from FC Dallas Mykell Bates Defenseman Santa Clara Senior Bates has the versatility to play left back, right back, center back, or fullback. Sporting Kansas City needs defensive upgrades everywhere. Bates would make a great addition to Sporting Kansas City.
31. New York Red Bulls Kenney Walker Defenseman Louisville Senior Walker has the ability to convert to a defensive midfielder role. Walker may be MLS ready despite possibly maxing out his potential at this stage. Walker seems like a good fit for the New York Red Bulls.
The Red Bulls have tons of young players in their soccer academy with huge potential. A vast majority of these academy players are projects in the waiting. Maybe you get a role player like Kenney Walker to finalize a starting spot or someone to add for depth at this juncture if Kirk Urso is off the board like I expect.
32. Philadelphia Union Evans Frimpong Forward Delaware Senior Frimpong is a goal scoring striker. Frimpong has the versatility to play forward, midfielder, or left wing. Union scouts have eyed Frimpong since his junior season at Delaware. This year Union fans get to see Frimpong get selected on their team with this 2nd round pick.
33. San Jose Earthquakes Hunter Jumper Defenseman Virginia Senior Jumper is such a steal here. Some believe Jumper could go as high as 12th overall while potentially going 7th overall if DC United takes a senior at left back. The Earthquakes could use an extra left back. Jumper makes a lot of sense here.
34. Seattle Sounders from Philadelphia Union Miguel Ibarra Midfielder UC Irvine Senior Ibbara may be an enticing 2nd round option for the Seattle Sounders with this selection. One mock I read had Ibbara going one round earlier to Seattle in the first round. Ibbara has to really impress at the MLS Combine to move into the first round.
35. Philadelphia Union from Sporting Kansas City Nickardo Blake Defenseman Connecticut Senior Nickardo Blake is 6 foot 1 167. Blake has the versatility to play left back, center back, or right back. Blake may be a 2nd round option that the Philadelphia Union take a closer look at.
36. Real Salt Lake Jake Levin Defenseman Penn Senior When you talk about Ivy League MLS prospects the first players that come to mind are Princeton forward Antoinne Hoppenot and Dartmouth striker Lucky Mkosena. Jake Levin the center back from Penn is another underrated Ivy League prospect who may just get his shot to crack an MLS roster.
37. Houston Dynamo Calum Mallace Midfielder Marquette Senior Mallace could provide good depth as the best player available here. Mallace is listed to the Dynamo in the first round. The Dynamo may be able to obtain Mallace in the 2nd round.
38. Los Angeles Galaxy Chris Blais Goalie South Florida Senior Redshirt Bruce Arena can get inside information about Brian Rowe from his son Kenny Arena. Brian Rowe really struggled in penalty kicks against North Carolina.
The Galaxy may take a goaltender for depth behind Josh Saunders at this spot with Donovan Ricketts gone. The LA Galaxy will either target Chris Blais of South Florida or Brian Rowe of UCLA as a keeper to mold for the future.
I already mocked a UCLA player to the Galaxy. Blais was considered the #1 goalie prospect a few months ago before falling off the map. I’ll go out on a limb and say that the Galaxy target Chris Blais here.
