The 2015 MLS SuperDraft took place on Thursday, January 15th. This was the 16th rendition of the SuperDraft and it was held in conjunction with the annual National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention. The convention was held in Philadelphia.
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I originally was only going to talk about the picks that the Sounders made. However, I figured it would not be fair to our Cascadia brothers if I did not include them. You know it’s almost like when you have a little brother and you bring them along so they don’t feel bad or get sad. That is why I decided to include the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps in this article. I don’t want them to be sad. Remember as always, All Clubs Envy Seattle. Enough with this Sounders love fest I have going on right now.
Entering the draft there were lots of needs for all three Cascadia teams. The Sounders needed to shore up their lack of depth in their defense. The Timbers could always use depth in that part of the field as well. The Whitecaps are looking to score more goals apparently, so they could be looking for more depth in the forward position as well.
Before I break it down for you on who was selected (or not selected) here are a few rules regarding the MLS SuperDraft:
- Any expansion teams receive the first picks. In 2015, MLS is adding two expansion teams: New York City FC and Orlando City. As determined by a “Priority Draft” conducted on September 24, 2014, Orlando City will have the first overall selection and New York City will pick second.
- Non-playoff clubs receive the next picks in reverse order of prior season finish.
- Teams that made the MLS Cup Playoffs are then ordered by which round of the playoffs they are eliminated.
- The winners of MLS Cup are given the last selection, and the losers the penultimate selection.
Hope that makes sense. It’s pretty straight forward and somewhat resembles what the NFL does every year for their draft. Actually, what the heck am I talking about? It is just like the NFL draft, just not as cool and isn’t nearly watched like the NFL.
Enough of me rambling on. Here is how our boys in Cascadia picked.
***ORIGINALLY THE SOUNDERS DID NOT HAVE A PICK IN THE FIRST ROUND AS THEY GAVE UP THEIR FIRST ROUND PICK AS PART OF THE STEFAN FREI TRADE LAST YEAR***
FIRST ROUND
Dec 13, 2013; Chester, PA, USA; New Mexico Lobos midfielder Ben McKendry (6) shoots the ball in front of Notre Dame Fighting Irish midfielder Nick Besler (8) at PPL Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
SOUNDERS TRADE BACK INTO FIRST ROUND AFTER SWAPPING PICKS WITH REAL SALT LAKE.
photo courtesy of Seattle Sounders FC Twitter/@SoundersFC
I love this tweet the Sounders sent out, take a look.
That moment when you swing a deal in the @MLS #SuperDraft... pic.twitter.com/5xe9IJllCQ
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) January 15, 2015
SECOND ROUND
SEATTLE MAKES THEIR SECOND TRADE OF THE 2015 MLS SUPERDRAFT
photo courtesy of Northwestern Sports Twitter/@NU_Sports
Interesting tweet from Sounders Beat writer, Matt Pentz in regards to Miller.
Lagerwey also said that Miller, the No. 33 pick in the draft, was the highest-rated goalkeeper on Seattle's board
— Matt Pentz (@mattpentz) January 15, 2015
Next: Matt Hedges Added to USMNT Camp
There you have it folks. How do you feel the draft went for your respective teams? See any future stars on this list?