MLS Draft 2008 (Live Commentary)

Good afternoon folks. I'm coming to you from the Baltimore Convention Center.

The ESPN live chat I was supposed to do was scrapped due to technical difficulties. I will now do a running commentary during the draft and will answer some questions. Just post the question in the comments section and I'll answer some of them. Keep them short and I'll see what I can do.

Let's get started:

4:30pm- The Galaxy grabs goalkeeper Matt Allen at No. 34.

4:29pm- The Galaxy took Julian Valentin at No. 29 while Ryan Miller went No. 30 to Toronto.

4:28pm- The Red Bulls selected defender Luke Sassano at No. 32

4:06pm. Toronto selects Wake Forest goalkeeper Brian Edwards at No. 28.

4:05pm. I spoke too soon. Toronto has traded to acquire the No. 28 pick.

4:04pm- Okay folks. I'm going to take a break from the commentary to write some stories. I'll check in now and then so feel free to come back and to comment on the subsequent picks.

4pm- The Galaxy is up and the best players available are goalkeeper Brian Edwards, midfielder Stephen King and forwards Xavier Balc and Yannick Reyering.

3:59pm- To catch you up on some picks I missed, Andrew Jacobson went No. 24 to DC United and Jon Leather went to Kansas City at No. 25.

3:58pm- New England selects Joe Germanese at No. 27.

3:55pm- The Chicago Fire selects Peter Lowry at No. 26

That is a great value pick for the Fire, which is having a dream draft, as much as you can have one here.

3:45pm- Kansas City just took defender Yomby William at No. 23.

3:45pm- The Crew takes Ricardo Pierre-Louis No. 22

3:39pm- Also look for Ricardo Pierre-Louis to go here.

3:38pm- FC Dallas has traded the No. 22 pick to the Columbus Crew. Could this be Xavier Balc?

3:36pm- MetroStars and Red Bulls legend Mark Lisi is in the house.

3:34pm- Los Angeles select forward Ely Allen at No. 21

3:33pm- Top midfielders left include: Peter Lowry, Stephen King, Andrew Jacobson and Joe Germanese.

3:32pm- Top Forwards left include: Xavier Balc, Ricardo Pierre-Louis and Yannick Reyering.

3:31pm- Columbus takes George Josten No. 20.

3:26pm- Top players still available include: Peter Lowry, George Josten, Jon Leathers, Stephen King, Brian Edwards, Andrew Jacobson.

3:25pm- A few picks for you:

Real Salt Lake takes Alex Nimo No. 17

New England takes Mike Videira No. 18

FC Dallas takes Eric Avila No. 19

3:24pm- Sorry folks, had to go interview Eric Brunner, a player the Red Bulls were hoping to draft. I wouldn't go as far as to say he can start, but he provides some sorely-needed depth.

3:12pm- The Red Bulls wanted a left-footed central defender and have one in Brunner, who can also play left back.

3:11pm- The Red Bulls select Eric Brunner at No. 16.

3:11pm- The Red Bulls may go with Eric Brunner here.

3:10pm- The second rounds begins with San Jose taking Shea Salinas No. 15

3:01pm- Real Salt Lake selects defender David Horst No. 14

2:59pm- Valentino is a big defender and Generation adidas, which should help the Revs offset the cost of picking up Chris Albright.

2:57pm- New England selects Rob Valentino with the No. 13 pick.

2:56pm- The Fire buys some insurance in case Matt Pickens leaves for Norwich City. That is assuming Cervi signs with the league.

2:53pm- The Chicago Fire select Dominic Cervi No. 12.

2:53pm- Espinoza is a nice young player but I feel like he's at least a year away from having an impact. We will see.

2:52pm- You can expect Chicago to take goalkeeper Dominic Cervi next.

2:51pm- Kansas City selects Ohio State midfieler Roger Espinoza No. 11

2:48pm- Mo Johnston just landed two of the three best defenders in this draft. Think about this back four: Todd Dunivant, Julius James, Pat Phelan and Marvell Wynne. That right there is pretty good.

2:46pm- Toronto selects Pat Phelan No. 10

2:45pm- Andy Iro has told the media that he intends on playing in Columbus. What a surprise, he doesn't have the European options we thought he had. That's a big score for Columbus and I wonder what that means for a player like Danny O'Rourke.

2:44pm- James WILL start for Toronto FC. You can book that one. He's MLS-ready and Toronto neds him.

2:43pm- Toronto FC takes Julius James No. 9. Mo Johnston is leading a charmed life.

2:42pm- Lambo is a stud prospect but FC Dallas already has Ray Burse and Dario Sala, pretty surprising pick if you ask me. Might we see a trade?

2:39pm- FC Dallas takes Josh Lambo No. 8. WOW

2:35pm- FC Dallas is loving life right now. Julius James is available and must be the pick. If he isn't I would be pretty shocked.

2:34pm- Great pick for the Fire. Who would have tought that Nyarko would be at No. 7 today? WOW.

2:33pm- Chicago takes Patrick Nyarko No. 7

2:32pm- The Tony Beltran and Ciaran O'Brien picks are the shockers so far.

2:30pm- Columbus selects Andy Iro No. 6.

2:24pm- A pretty shaky pick in my mind. I wasn't impressed with O'Brien at all at the Combine. I'm shocked the Rapids didn't take Nyarko or Avila. O'Brien is also a defensive midfielder. Does this mean Mastroeni is on his way out?

2:23pm- The Rapids select Ciaran O'Brien No. 5.

2:22pm- Rapids should take either Nyarko or Avila.

2:20pm- The LA Galaxy has traded Chris Albright to New England for allocation money. We saw that one coming. Great move for the Galaxy, shedding major salary, getting allocation money and adding the best right back in the draft.

2:19pm- LA taking a right back tells me they have dealt either Chris Albright or Chris Klein to New England.

2:18pm- The Galaxy select Sean Franklin No. 4

2:16pm- The Galaxy has made a trade with New England, sending a player to the Revs. No word yet on the player.

2:15pm- Los Angeles is on the clock and has some good choices. Julius James, Eric Avila, Patrick Nyarko. The Galaxy need to save some money so Avila may get the nod.

I'm also hearing that UCSB defender Andy Iro's stock is dropping fast as teams are being scared away by his interest in Europe.

2:13pm- Real Salt Lake selects Tony Beltran No. 3

2:10pm- And just like that, the two best young talents in the draft go one and two. Now Real Salt Lake is up. Don't be surprised to see this pick traded.

2:08pm- FC Dallas takes Brek Shea No 2.

2:07pm- KC makes a very good pick for a number of reasons. In a league where good left-sided players are scarce, KC just added the only good one in the draft.

FC Dallas should take Patrick Nyarko here.

2:06pm- The Wizards select Chance Myers with the first pick (as first reported on SBI).

2pm- We're still waiting for the draft to begin. KC is on the clock.

1:58pm- We're about to begin and I haven't heard any new developments on the trade front.

1:54pm- Red Bulls fans are dominating the fan section at the draft. They just shouted down some Toronto FC fans. I'm still waiting to see of the handful of Chicago Fire fans go after Juan Osorio when the Red Bulls pick.

1:38pm- As reported just a few minutes ago, sources are telling me that Chance Myers is going to be the first pick. Kansas City was toying with the idea of trading the pick, and still might deal Myers, but the UCLA left back is one of the most coveted players in the draft.

Sources are also telling me that Tony Beltran has moved up pretty high on some team's list.

Patrick Nyarko could wind up sliding past the No. 2 pick, and if he does, don't be surprised if the Columbus Crew trades up to grab him at No. 3.

Comments

[A Diddy]

Thanks for doing a commentary anyway, Ives!

With Myers and Beltran moving up, does that potentially change the draft picture for RBNY? Or is Osario all set with his decision?

[FF&SS]

Give me hope and tell me that Osorio is close to pulling off some kind of trade.

[andy b.]

Hey Ives--
Curious what kind of "production value" the draft event has. Obviously it can't be on par with the NFL draft hoopla, but is it nice digs, or more "just business?"

[Dannyc58]

Sorry ESPN, great news for SOCCERBYIVES though!

[Joamiq]

Iiinteresting. I'm not sure how much sense Myers makes for them. But then again, a good player always makes some sense.

[JH6]

Andy,

If the set-up is like the prior year in Baltimore, it is like the NFL draft with all the teams having their own table. There was a stage in the middle and the fans were roped off to the back. Much like other drafts, they also had a number of players who were likely to be selected early in attendance. Guys who get drafted are called up - given the jersey and hat and get their picture.

So - it is like the NFL draft but not as glitzy.

[kahlva]

ESPN's loss!

Always great to read your thoughts and news, Ives!

[Brett]

Ives,

Rumblings in Columbus are that Rusty Pierce is being traded and that the Crew are looking to move up in the draft. Have you heard anything on this?

[Dominghosa]

How long is the draft? I'll be here for rhe first hour anyway....

[Bill]

Hey Ives, have ESPN fix the online segment to show that Chicago (not NYRB) have the 7th pick in the 1st round.

I just figure since you deal with them, they'd listen to you faster, or that you might know who to contact about this error.

[Javier]

this has all the makings of a walk-off!

[Tim F.]

Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles are not in the house?

[Dominghosa]

Goff says Beltran will be among the top 3. Not good news for all the Beltran haters.

[Zungazan]

MLSNet.com says "Watch live on ESPN2 and MLSNet.com" but all I see is a "ticker" on the web site.

Most of us are at work and want to watch it, not follow the friggin ticker. Am I crazy, blind, or what?

HELP!!!!!!

[JH6]

Tim,

Most were not making the trip up due to the lack of a first round pick. Sitting there for three hours will bore you to tears.

[Joamiq]

ESC REPRESENT! Those who are there mostly caravaned down in a large van and a number of cars. I'd be there if I could have gotten out of work.

[Dominghosa]

L.A. and New England trade, eh? Mike Randolph, welcome to your new home....

[Javier]

what was the trade?

[Joamiq]

Dominghosa: Not good news for Beltran haters, but good news for people who don't rate him and would gladly see him go before their teams pick

[Joamiq]

Zungazan: Just hit the play button on the homepage...

[Joamiq]

Or wait, is that just a clip from last year...

[Dominghosa]

Trade hasn't been announced yet. Anyep, miq, realized that, too. WHat about Brek Shea shooting up the draft? Good stuff for a 17-year-old.

[AlexS]

It makes me really sad to see Brek go to Dallas.

[CACuzcatlan]

Please don't tell me we traded Randolph. I'm gonna hold off crying and cursing our FO until I get confirmation from Ives or Goff

[Ed]

Shea will look good in hoops!

[Joamiq]

Dang, congrats to Brek Shea - way to shoot up the draft board, kid

[Zungazan]

...press play and you get 2007 superdraft... but thanks.

[Dominghosa]

At least Beltran has a better mullet than Brek.

[philip]

Ives...any more word on Yannick Reyering?

[Brett]

I think that the draft will only be on MLSnet after the first round since that is being televised. Too bad, since I am stuck at work!

[John Wayne]

Surprised Beltran went ahead of Avila, to say the least.

[Joamiq]

There's a Sopcast feed of the draft, check myp2p

[Igor]

Could Julius Jones slide to the Red Bulls?

[Dominghosa]

Garberm and Gazinis are talking just before the Ga;laxy pick. I think they;re trying to get the Galaxy the first two picks with a new rule.

[Michoacano]

Is Chivas USA still trying to shop Razov to move up and acquire a GK, if so who do you think they will take?

[John Wayne]

Player traded to Revs for allocation, not sure who yet.

Some delay with the Galaxy's pick.

[EDB]

Albright? Luis at red card thinks a few people will be moving today..

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/2008/01/mls-movement.html

[Dominghosa]

Colorado HAS to take Avila here, no? That's prime value here for that kind of talent.

[dcpohl]

Why hasn't Nyarko been selected yet?

[Dominghosa]

Ah, A;bright for allocation omney. Not randolph. Actually a good move for LA. Albright has been injured and unreliable and the Galazy need the money to pay off the salary cap.

[Joamiq]

Wow. Surprises all around, to say the least.

[CACuzcatlan]

Thank God we didn't trade Randolph!

[EDB]

I think chicago should try to move up for Nyarko.. getting him at 5 wouldnt be a bad deal

[Jeff]

Does the Albright deal mean Ralston is permanently in the central midfield for Dorman?

[Joamiq]

Good move for both teams, LA and NE.

[Tony in Quakeland]

How often has "great move the Galaxy" been used in a sentence?

[Javier]

Ives, can you give us your thoughts on Beltran? i know he didn't make either of your ALL-2008 MLS DRAFT TEAMS..

[Dominghosa]

O'Brien to Colorado. That wasn't the UCSB midfielder I was thinking of.

[Nick]

Watching the draft and following your site Ives is getting me super psyched for the new season. I really miss relaxing after a tough day at work to the Thursday night games. I'm interested to see who the US player that currently plays in Europe that Colorado is trying to sign.

[Aljarov]

This is insane.

So mcuh for the pre-draft rankings!!

[Dominghosa]

Nyarko, Avila and James are falling like the dollar.

[Brett]

So the Crew has whoever they want here. I would like to see Nyarko but at this point who knows what is going on in this draft!

[Aguinaga]

In Manhattan, you can watch the draft live at espn360.com if you have a Verizon account to log in with. Unfortunately, I don't! Argh... Not sure how it works in other areas... Hope this helps.

[Jeremy]

Once again the Rapids prove that they don't have a clue

[KingSnake]

Rapids taking a forward would have been a waste of good attacking talent ...

[kpugs]

Wow, Beltran went early.

[CACuzcatlan]

ESPN 360 works with Verizon or AT&T DSL. If you have either of those two providers, you can watch it.

[Dominghosa]

Mastroeni has been in several trade talks, so it wouldn't be a big surprise to see him traded.
I feel bad for Nyarko but Iro did this to himself. Those two are in the audience.

[Joamiq]

The entire projected top 6 is still available. Wow.

[frank]

haha! how is clavijo still a coach in this league?!

[Michael F.]

5 picks gone and only 1 was in your mock draft. What's up with that Ives?

: )

[Haig]

Crew fans to have meltdown when Iro won't play for them.

[Dominghosa]

Does Iro even want to play in Colombus? And why would they pass on Nyarko anyway? The kid is pretty slight but he can score.
Whoever lands this kid should be ecstatic.

[Aguinaga]

Apparently all the best college level soccer players are from California hehe

[RONANDO]

FYI. Wonder where they will play?

[Tony in Quakeland]

If this continues, the Quakes will get value at the top of the second round...I hope.

[RONANDO]

USA vs. Spain June 4th.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-us-spain&prov=ap&type=lgns

Forgot to post that.

[Dominghosa]

Congrats Fire fans. Get used to Nyarko finishing Blanco's defense-splitting passes. Maybe.

[Aguinaga]

Of course, what Iro meant about playing only for certain teams was he only wanted to play for NY. Therefore, Columbus picked him to offer to us for Altidore, Richards, and a draft pick...

[Modibo]

I'm sure Andy Iro will be stoked to be picked by Columbus... hope some of those foreign tryouts work out for him.

[Dominghosa]

That's great news Fronaldo. Bob and Co. again scheduled a quality opponent. Awesome stuff.

[Zungazan]

Hmm, the Gals traded away Beckham's new best friend.

[Joamiq]

I'm not Mexican and that pronunciation of Cuauhtemoc still offended me. Sounded more like Cwadamuck.

[Bryant]

Ives,
Tell me why the Crew would pick Iro, especially since they are the epitome of the type of franchise Iro does not want to play for.

[Jeff]

NOW OSORIO NEEDS TO TRADE UP AND TAKE AVILA!!!

[Modibo]

Nyarko to the Fire! Let's hope there's more there than he showed in the combine! Goodbye Floyd Franks...

[Aljarov]

WOW - we're (TFC) getting James and/or Avila. We can't miss both of them at this point.

Watch Mo BLOW IT and pick some piece of crap.

Come on Mo - earn that good drafter rep you have!

[nicholas skyles]

good thing we (RBNY) decided to give that pick away to get JCO.. gah.

[RONANDO]

Yeah, im pretty excited to see watch this game. Im guessin they will play at the HDC, but who knows. At least we are scheduling good opponents and we know Spain will be bringing their "A" team

[Dominghosa]

An Avila-Edu pairing in the midfield would be nice.

[Nick]

Wow Ives, you're getting killed on these picks. What the heck are these teams doing? The only thing I can think is that a ton of these teams have non-draft deals they are planning on making coming up and need cap money.

[Tony P. S.]

Ives,

Your draft guesses were awful. You didn't mention 2 of the top five picked, and your top pick still hasn't gone? Were you drunk when you wrote those picks?

[CPTKevin]

Ives, you get any predictions right yet?!

[clay]

this is a softball for TFC, avila and james.

[Joamiq]

Hey guys, what's with all the Ives hate? It's not his fault this draft has been screwy.

[emilio]

All of the experts are off on there picks as some strange selections are being made, changing everything, this is good for the red bulls as they will get one of the top players.

[Nick]

I'm not hating, I'm with him on his picks, I'm saying he's getting killed in that these teams are making crazy decisions.

[CACuzcatlan]

I doubt Spain will fly their A-team to LA to play a friendly just before Euro 2008. I'm guessing it'll be in Spain.

[Craig]

You mean the Rapids had a chance to get Nyarko, a guy that scores goals, something the Rapids can't do, and they take a d-mid???

[Tony in Quakeland]

Is it Ives job to predict the picks, or tell us who he thinks the picks SHOULD be.

I think it's the second. Check back in a couple years to see who was right when it came to predicting value.

[Tony in Quakeland]

The middle of the field is looking strong for Toronto...

[Dominghosa]

Yeah, Avila has to be the pick here. But I've said that about another player before. This should be a no-brainer, though. Back ot back picks. James and Avila. I'd give that draft an A+.

[Fuego Fanatico]

Grabbing Nyarko with the Red Bulls pick and the additions of Armas and Klopas to the organization has just about helped me recover from The Osorio Incident.

[Modibo]

Lambo for Nyarko? FCD gets someone to make up for their "loss" of Ruiz, Fire gets keeper cover for when Pickens goes overseas.

[RONANDO]

I agree with you CACuzcatlan, I didnt check when Euro 2008 started.

[AlexS]

Hmmm, Houston wanted Shea and needs a backup keeper... you think FCD wanted somebody on Houston's roster badly? I'm not sure they would for to GenAd players though... and they really don't have anybody else to trade along with Lambo to Houston for any of their starters. Oduro might tempt Dom... but doesn't sound like a deal he'd make. Perhaps this was a pick to use to trade for Razov, if Guzan is really leaving?

[Soccer Texas]

Dallas: Salas was hurt a lot last year and Ray Burse is alright but was nothing special in the games i saw. So it could be a look to the future.

[Seth]

With Dallas picking up Brek and a 3rd keeper, there is a chance on a houston (who only has Onstad now) trade I would think.

[Nick]

Holy crap, Phelan looks like a bizarro Alexi Lalas!

[Fuego Fanatico]

The Fire have to pick Dominick Cervi with the #12.

Please please please pick Cervi.