Soccer MLS

MLS SuperDraft Is No Longer Necessary

Fresh Videos

By @DFresh39

MLS SuperDraft

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The first two rounds of the MLS SuperDraft concluded in Philadelphia on Thursday. The majority of players taken will not see time in the top league, which continues a trend from past years. Teams continue to draft on old strategies and the results show just how differently each team evaluates talent. Trades were made for “future considerations” and one was announced as “other considerations.” The whole process stems from being a part of an American sports landscape, but the SuperDraft has become pointless.

Speed and size were emphasized, as technical ability lost out again — especially in the case of Cristian Roldan. He is 5-foot-8, but perhaps the most technically sound player drafted yesterday. He was predicted to go in the top five by many but kept falling. He even signed a Generation Adidas contract, which means his salary doesn’t affect his team’s cap. Roldan went No. 16 overall to the Seattle Sounders after they traded up into the first round to draft the University of Washington prospect. Everyone seemed shocked that he kept falling and the teams did not expect him to be available. However, instead of shaking it up they just stuck to their draft boards and let Roldan fall.

With a weak draft class the Colorado Rapids were one of the teams that stressed size. They grabbed two defenders who are at least 6-foot-6 and could help them win any pick-up basketball games. The speed was addressed early as the first three picks were forwards. Khiry Shelton went second to NYCFC and said that his biggest talent is the ability to get behind defenders.

Player evaluation differences were on display as well. Eric Beard battled some injuries and seemed to be forgotten. He dropped to 41 just ahead of Dan Metzger. Metzger was ranked fifth on the TopDrawerSoccer board prior to the draft. Toronto FC took Clement Simonin No. 9 overall despite him playing less than half of the matches at NC State this past season.

If a trade can be made based off of future considerations and player evaluation is so different, why is the SuperDraft necessary? Teams could negotiate contracts with the players they are interested in and get approval from the league.

Hermann Trophy winner Leo Stoltz said he did not want to play in MLS, but one team reached out and got his commitment. Of course he still had to be drafted by the New York Red Bulls at No. 18, but Stoltz dictated where he would go. He lessened the value of a Generation Adidas contract and manipulated the system.

It is clear that in its current form the draft is not necessary. The purpose has become to fill USL PRO teams and not selecting players who can make an immediate MLS impact. This can be done in a different, more efficient way. The league cannot ignore this and what happened with Stoltz must be the catalyst for change.

Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

LAFC Job Posting is Another MLS Misstep

Share Tweet
Trending Now on