(Some of) Your MLS Draft Questions Answered

Good evening folks. We're less than half a day away from the 2009 MLS Draft and you all have plenty of questions heading into the event. Here are some of those questions answered:

—————————-

MZ- Who pays for players to attend and stay at the combine and attend and stay at the mls draft?

IVES- MLS pays for all costs of the Combine and the MLS Draft. Those events, along with MLS Cup and All-Star, are the four big events MLS runs.

—————————-

FUBAR- Carlos Martinez. Where is he and what about the him and the draft?

IVES- Apparently he is back in the U.S. Under-17 residency program.

—————————-

METROSTAR 4 LIFE- Ives, I'm interested in why you see RBNY taking a goalkeeper in Evan Brown, when I see them having a dilemma as we speak with both Conway and Cepero, who has stepped up.

IVES-Evan Brown is the Wake Forest right back, good player who is very good at getting forward. Evan Bush is the goalkeeper.

—————————-

ANDREW- I know they don't have a high draft pick. But who do u c the Crew going after? Is there any chance that they may try to trade up?

IVES- I think the Crew could use a speedy forward off the bench so I gave them Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe in the second round of my Mock draft.

—————————-

NATE- How did Keum Sung Kim from Loyola-Chicago perform at the Combine? Any chance someone takes a flyer on him in the 4th round? Or is his size an issue?

IVES- Keum struggled badly, which was unfortunate considering his first move of the Combine was to beat a defender in the area. He showed some promise at that moment, but his Combine consisted mostly of bad turnovers and mis-hit crosses and shots. Not sure anybody's taking a flyer on him, unless the Fire really like him from his college body of work.

—————————-

CHRoS- What is the likelihood St. Louis is named as the next expansion team this weekend? I noticed there is now an official supporters group and they are meeting at Tigin downtown this weekend. You should check it out!

IVES- Not sure when it will be announced but I would put a lot of money on St. Louis being one of the picks and the announcement being made in the next week or two.

—————————-

RICHARD, UK- Following the combine, do you think scouts and coaches are more inclined to agree that this year is a "deep" draft or less inclined? I keep reading conflicting reports with regards to the level of play at the combine.

IVES- Richard, glad you asked that question because some people simply keep choosing to ignore what I say over and over. A majority, a large majority, of coaches/GMs/Technical directors agree that this is a deep draft. Not deep in the sense that there are 20 future national team players, but deep in the sense that there are a bunch of quality prospects with the tools and skills to make rosters. That is rare for the draft, especially considering the last two drafts were notoriously weak. This is why teams are trying to acquire picks in this draft, even as low as third-round picks, because there are a bunch of intriguing prospects and I would say as many as 15-20 players who could see some decent minutes in 2009. That is far more than we saw get minutes out of the 2008 MLS Draft.

—————————-

SPEEDBALL- What's your favorite draft beer?

IVES- Heineken is the beer of choice.

—————————-

BFBS- Are we still to regard David Hertel as the best left back prospect even though you have him going low in the second round? Or Rodney Wallace (unimpressive combine but upside) and Lyle Adams (not a natural left back but played there in college) still the better choices for that particular position?

IVES- Hertel looks like the left back most ready to play immediately (or at least sooner). Wallace looks like the ones who could wind up being a stud once his game matures. With teams valuing potential, and Wallace's cap-friendly Generation adidas contract, I see him going much higher. Hertel will probably go higher than I placed him, but he could easily slide as teams choose to dip into the strong pool of central defenders.

—————————-

GILBY- Ives, with the drop in roster size how many players drafted tomorrow do you see making MLS rosters in March?

IVES- I'll go on the high side and say 30.

—————————-

RYAN- What happened to UCLA products Brad Rusin and Michaels Stephens? I haven't seen them in any recent mock drafts so I assume they didn't sign and are going to Europe or Stephens could be heading back to college.

IVES- Brad Rusin is trying his hand in Europe, which doesn't mean some team won't use a late-round pick on the quality central defender. As for Michael Stephens, he was basically left at the altar by MLS, which decided that one playmaking midfielder was enough in its Generation adidas class. Unfortunately for MLS, that playmaker, Baggio Husidic, isn't looking so hot, and that decision to pass on Stephens could wind up proving costly.

—————————-

LANDIS- What's the deal with LAG getting a third round pick from Colorado for the rights of retired player Ty Hardin?

IVES- The deal is Colorado must be trying to lure Harden out of his early retirement, if they haven't already.

—————————-

ARGO- Due to roster contractions, by my count, MLS is contracting by 32 players — 56 lost in the reduction, less 24 gained for Seattle's roster. How will that shift affect the likelihood of the players in the draft sticking with the clubs? I mean, this is supposed to be a fairly strong draft class, but it seems like even players in the second round may get cut just due to the numbers.

IVES- Argo, you have to take into account players moving on to Europe, players becoming too old for developmental contracts and players who just aren't as good or cost-effective as the new players coming in. If anything, I would worry far more for the fringe veterans who were making up roster spots 19-24. Those are the ones who will be losing out because this new crop of players is cheaper, and many of them are further along as players than rookies have been in recent years.

—————————-

MATT- Are any non-GA players signed to contracts before the draft? Is there anything to stop someone like Sam Cronin from signing a European contract after the MLS draft, if he doesn't like the MLS' offer? Or do teams have a good idea of what it will take to sign top non-GA draftees before they use the pick?

IVES- Yes, I would say that the seniors who I know are signed to deals are Sam Cronin, Michael Lahoud and Chris Pontius. There must be a few more.

—————————-

ERIC- Is there a limit on the number of GA players one team can draft or have on their roster?

IVES- Good question. I think you can have as many as you can fit in your developmental slots, which is now down to four per team.

—————————-

BOB- Can only players that are american citizens ie play for the Nats quailfy for the GA players?

IVES- No. Case in point, Baggio Husidic, Patrick Nyarko, Steve Zakuani. It's a program to bring in the top young college players, regardless of background.

—————————-

JOE G- Do you think that the most pressing needs of the RBNY should be filled in the upcoming draft or from scouted foreign talent? I personally think that there are very few defenders who will be able to step in right away, is it wise to pick one in the first round?

IVES- Both. I don't think the Red Bulls are looking for an immediate starter at No. 11, because, let's face it, they probably won't find one, but they can add depth to thin positions with good prospects, which is what I think they will do. I see them drafting a defender at 11 and 18.

—————————-

TODD- Will MLS announce the next expansion teams?

IVES- YES. (One day. Okay, that was cruel. I don't think the league is announcing the teams here this week, but the two new expansion teams should be revealed before the end of the month).

—————————-

SAM NISHI- SAM CRONIN!

Is Pete Vagenas
or
Danny Pena?

IVES- Will be better than Vagenas.

—————————-

ROB- Ives- What do you think the actual likelihood of Bornstein coming to Seattle is? Is this something you pulled out of thin air, or could you actually see it happening?

IVES- I didn't say Bornstein was going to Seattle, I said Chivas could dangle Bornstein to move up in the draft. Seattle isn't the only team with a high pick.

—————————-

TFC OZZ- What do you think TFC needs more, prospects or veterans?

IVES- TFC needs central defenders and finding a good one is much easier going the veteran route.

—————————-

LOU- Hey Ives, do you know what happened to ryan maduro from providence college, he is great and i haven't heard anything about him. Also is there a chance of the bulls going after a winger to maybe attempt and replace van den bergh because we are going to have a reall problem on that left side now.

IVES- It wasn't that Maduro was bad at the Combine, he just didn't really stand out. He's a good player who I think could go in the third or fourth. As for the Red Bulls, I think the plan is to play Jorge Rojas on the left, and look for another left winger within MLS.

—————————-

I will try to answer some more of the questions in the morning. Feel free to share your thoughts on these answers in the comments section below.

19 Responses to (Some of) Your MLS Draft Questions Answered

Football fan says:

January 14, 2009 at 11:54 PM

“TODD- Will MLS announce the next expansion teams?

IVES- YES.”

As in yes they will be announcing it tomorrow????

DD says:

January 15, 2009 at 12:30 AM

IVES- Not sure when it will be announced but I would put a lot of money on St. Louis being one of the picks and the announcement being made in the next week or two.

Is this legit insider information you have here, in which you are basically for sure that st.louis will be announced within a week or two.

Werner says:

January 15, 2009 at 2:20 AM

Heineken really? It’s good, but i wish stadiums had some better selections besides bud, and coors. It would be nice to get some blue moon, or newcastle, or some hefs (pyramid or widmer)at the Home Depot Center. Their Beer Garden just isn’t that impressive.

Tony B says:

January 15, 2009 at 2:47 AM

I’d be surprised if St. Louis makes the cut. I think it will be Vancouver, Portland or Miami — 2 from that group. Unless St. Louis has its money in place, and there have been nothing to suggest they do.

Ossington Mental Youth says:

January 15, 2009 at 4:33 AM

Feeling pretty certain itll be St Louis and Miami (the miami bid being a joke imo)

Rudy says:

January 15, 2009 at 4:41 AM

somewhat unrelated: when will fsc go HD?

Ryan says:

January 15, 2009 at 6:39 AM

Rudy, there was an article somewhere today saying FSC is targeting 2010 for HD.

wendel says:

January 15, 2009 at 7:57 AM

rojas on the left = disaster

nate says:

January 15, 2009 at 9:11 AM

Toyota Park has steadily increased their beer selection over the last few years. You can now get Guinness/Harp/Smithwicks/Corona/Tecate/and a few Polish Beers. The prices are a different discussion, however.

SonicDeathMonkey says:

January 15, 2009 at 9:24 AM

Football Fan, did you even bother reading the rest of his answer?

Chris says:

January 15, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Re RBNY: Rojas was a lot better in the middle than on the left.

Modibo says:

January 15, 2009 at 10:07 AM

Heineken?!? F*** that s***! PABST BLUE RIBBON!

NYCBrad says:

January 15, 2009 at 10:10 AM

Do they televise the draft? I don’t feel like going in to work today and wouldn’t mind watching. Either way I’ll be following the live blog.

mEtRo bOy TilL Da dAy i DiE! says:

January 15, 2009 at 10:18 AM

I really hope that the red bulls dont play rojas as LM !!!!! any side! he needs to play cm period!. he is prob the only one on the team that can control the ball well and he needs to play in the middle!. i really hope he does not play on left!…ill rather give borman a chance again..at least he had the speed! some1 needs to teach him how to cross (richards to)

RK says:

January 15, 2009 at 10:26 AM

ESPN2 2:00pm

RedLine55 says:

January 15, 2009 at 10:38 AM

Hell yes, Modibo. Somehow I knew that was your taste. Hail the blue ribbon, my man.

Matt M. says:

January 15, 2009 at 11:06 AM

Ok, how many guys have gone to Europe direct from Collage in the last couple of years?

Greg Dalby, Joey Lapira, Michael Videara, Andrew Jacobson, Luis Robles, Ryan Guy, Marcus Tracy, Alejandro Bedoya (and the other midfielder from BC this year), and presumably this Brad Rusin and Mike Grella.

That’s not a bad hall considering the difficulty in getting a passport over there. Considering that another half-dozen MLS and USL players go every year as well, the US game seems to be improving in talent every year.

Remember when everyone got excited when we found someone that was US citizenship eligable sitting the bench in the German second division and everyone cried out, “That’s an automatic starter on the US national team!!!!”

The draft is obviously weakened but we’re still moving in the right direction.

Matt M. says:

January 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM

I forgot Charlie Davies and that Smith kid up in Toronto now. NCAA is producing something that the foreign leagues want.

Football fan says:

January 15, 2009 at 3:34 PM

Death Monkey: When he posted last night all that it said was Yes. He’s since done an edit.

(Some of) Your MLS Draft Questions Answered

19 Responses to (Some of) Your MLS Draft Questions Answered

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Top Headlines

Connect

Key Soccer Sites

Top Soccer News Sites

SBI Soccer Blog Roll

MLS Team blogs