MLS SuperDraft: New England Revolution Must Draft Carefully
The New England Revolution hold just two picks in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Of those two picks, there are no first round selections. This is something that has not happened to the Revs in 15 years. New England holds a pick in the second round (33rd overall) and one in the third round (47th overall) making their strategy for the 2015 MLS SuperDraft very interesting.
Last year, the Revolution held two first round picks and used them on two dynamite players, Steve Neumann and Patrick Mullins. While Mullins has moved on to New York City FC, Neumann remains with the club going into 2015.
New England lost their tradition first round pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft after trading for former Sporting Kansas City forward, Teal Bunbury. Albeit, Bunbury is not under contract now, but the Revolution are confident that he will return for the 2015 MLS season.
A club’s approach to a draft is always on a team by team basis. When it comes to holding just two picks in a four round draft, New England needs to make sure their selections are well thought out. There is still plenty of time for New England to secure players via free agency and the transfer market, but it is hard to know if this club want’s to spend cash or try to draft to fill holes.
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The biggest hole on the Revolution is the forward spot. Charlie Davies is the only semi-talented player on the roster and he looks to make sure that he continues to make a name for himself in 2015. New England did select Tristan Bowen in the Re-Entry Draft, but have yet to sign him to a deal. Even if he does sign, the Revolution still have needs that must be met at that position.
When it comes time for the Revolution to make a selection, there are several players at the forward position that stand out as potential selections.
The biggest name that New England needs to consider is Davenport Forward, Dzenan Catic. While only playing two years of college soccer at the NAIA level, Catic scored 63 goals and added 14 assists, in two years. Yes, in two years folks, you read that right. On top of being a prolific goal scorer for Davenport, Catic spent some time with German club Kaiserslautern from 2011-2012. This guy is special folks, no question about it.
Aside from Catic, players like Andy Craven from North Carolina, Andy Bevin from West Virgina or Rob Lovejoy from North Carolina, all stand out as possibilities to help fill the hole up top. As exciting as these forward prospects are, if New England can grab Catic, then the hole could get substantially smaller.
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Besides the glaring hole at the Forward spot, New England will need to discuss more depth on their back line. AJ Sores left the club to take his talents to Europe and left the club looking for more depth, especially at Center Back.
Even with Sores leaving the club, a lot of what New England does with their second draft pick will come down to what the clubs decides to do with Andrew Farrell. Farrell has spent most of his career at Right Back, but has recently seen small time at Center Back. If Jay Heaps decides to make him a permanent fixture or not. Once the club figure that out, hopefully before Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft, only then can the Revs figure out who their second pick will be spent on.
Who do you think New England should draft with their two picks?