Let the speculation begin!
Less than one week from today, the 2017 MLS SuperDraft will take place in Los Angeles, California (Friday, Jan. 13 at 12 p.m. PT). What better time to scout this year’s draft class?
Barring a trade, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will pick seventh overall.
Who might they choose?
Your guess is as good as mine. Certainly, things will become a little clearer over the next seven days with the MLS Combine kicking off this weekend. In the meantime, let’s have some fun!
Here are some initial projections from Top Drawer Soccer and Soccer By Ives, two of the more trusted media sources following the collegiate game.
SCOUTING REPORT:
“This year's crop is similar to the senior classes in recent memory; a handful of players that can make an immediate impact, and 10-15 players that might stick on MLS rosters. The rest are likely to head to USL to find more opportunities of playing time.” – Top Drawer Soccer
“Though it may be weaker than previous years, this year’s draft has its strengths. Teams needing central defense help will find a dozen promising prospects capable of going in the first round, while there are also some enticing wingers and right backs available.” – Soccer By Ives
GENERATION ADIDAS CLASS:
Earlier this week, MLS announced the 2017 Generation adidas class, which for the first time includes a pair of Canadians. The five standouts include UCLA forward Abu Danladi (pictured), Syracuse centre back Miles Robinson, UCLA midfielder Jackson Yueill, and Canadians Adonijah Reid (forward, Canadian youth national team) and Shamit Shome (midfielder, FC Edmonton).
Generation adidas signings are top collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players who don’t count against an MLS team’s salary budget, making them much more attractive to prospective MLS teams. It doesn’t guarantee they’ll be selected, it just makes it a lot more likely.
PROJECTED TOP 10 (according to initial mock drafts)
<u><a href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/2017-mls-mock-draft:-version-10_aid41263" target="_blank"><strong>Top Drawer Soccer</strong></a></u> |
<a href="http://sbisoccer.com/2017/01/sbi-2017-mls-mock-draft-version-1-0" target="_blank"><u><strong>Soccer By Ives</strong></u></a> |
<u><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/04/armchair-analyst-2017-mock-superdraft-v1-0" target="_blank"><strong>Matt Doyle (MLSsoccer)</strong></a></u> |
|
<strong>1. Minnesota</strong> |
<p>Jeremy Ebobisse*<br>
F, Duke</p> |
<p>Abu Danladi*<br>
F, UCLA</p> |
<p>Jeremy Ebobisse*<br>
F, Duke</p> |
<strong>2. Atlanta</strong> |
<p>Abu Danladi*<br>
F, UCLA</p> |
<p>Jeremy Ebobisse*<br>
F, Duke</p> |
<p>Miles Robinson *<br>
CB, Syracuse</p> |
<strong>3. Chicago</strong> |
<p>Miles Robinson *<br>
CB, Syracuse</p> |
<p>Jackson Yueill *<br>
M, UCLA</p> |
<p>Abu Danladi*<br>
F, UCLA</p> |
<strong>4. Houston</strong> |
<p>Jackson Yueill*<br>
M, UCLA</p> |
<p>Miles Robinson*<br>
CB, Syracuse</p> |
<p>Jackson Yueill*<br>
M, UCLA</p> |
<strong>5. Columbus</strong> |
<p>Reagan Dunk<br>
RB, Denver</p> |
<p>Chris Odoi-Atsem*<br>
RB, Maryland</p> |
<p>Jacori Hayes<br>
M, Wake Forrest</p> |
<strong>6. San Jose</strong> |
<p>Jacori Hayes<br>
M, Wake Forrest</p> |
<p>Brandon Aubrey*<br>
CB, Notre Dame</p> |
<p>Brandon Aubrey*<br>
CB, Notre Dame</p> |
<strong>7. Vancouver</strong> |
<p>Brandon Aubrey*<br>
CB, Notre Dame</p><p>“If Aubrey dips past No. 6, the Whitecaps should tear up their plans and go best player available. He might be the best senior center back option here, and he’s about as steady as they come.”</p> |
<p>Shamit Shome<br>
M, FC Edmonton</p><p>“The Whitecaps could use some help at forward, which might make Nick DePuy a tempting option here, but the need for some depth at defensive midfielder could compel Carl Robinson to grab Shome, a Canadian Under-20 national team midfielder who was signed as a Generation adidas Canada player. Canadian forward Brian Wright is another option, though this would be early in the draft to select him.”</p> |
<p>Chris Odoi-Atsem*<br>
RB, Maryland</p><p>“There are, as it stands, a pair of highly rated right backs in this year's draft. Odoi-Atsem is not a game-breaker, and his skill with the ball needs polishing. But he's an excellent defender in space, covers from endline to endline, won't be overwhelmed by the athleticism of the league, and can be counted on to show up with 100% intensity every time out.”</p> |
<strong>8. Atlanta</strong> |
<p>Chris Odoi-Atsem*<br>
RB, Maryland</p> |
<p>Lalas Abubakar<br>
CB, Dayton</p> |
<p>Shamit Shome<br>
M, FC Edmonton</p> |
<strong>9. Columbus</strong> |
<p>Nick Depuy<br>
F, UCSB</p> |
<p>Nick Depuy<br>
F, UCSB</p> |
<p>Reagan Dunk<br>
RB, Denver</p> |
<strong>10. Portland</strong> |
<p>Francis de Vries<br>
CB, Saint Francis</p> |
<p>Niko Hansen<br>
M, New Mexico</p> |
<p>Lalas Abubakar<br>
CB, Dayton</p> |
The players with an asterisk (*) appeared in the top 10 of all three lists, so you’d have to think there’s a good chance they hear their names called at some point next Friday. It's also worth checking out Will Parchman's projected top 10 and MLS comparisons over at MLSsoccer.com.
Which player piques your interest?
