MLS SuperDraft: How the Draft Will Go Down

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Sam Cronin at MLS Combine

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By Kyle McCarthy

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- In the soccer world at large, silly season is a term reserved for when the transfer window opens.

In MLS, that term should apply to any point in time when a mock draft is conceived.

There are simply too many variables – try to keep count of how many times I couch myself in this mock draft – to weigh in order to ensure accuracy. The problem is exacerbated because most of the heavy hitting takes place from the night before the draft onwards and no one wants to reveal their hand too early.

With that being said, I can reasonably suggest a few things after the past few days:

1. Toronto will wheel and deal.

2. Seattle would like to trade down.

3. Some combination of Steve Zakuani, Sam Cronin, Omar Gonzalez and Stefan Frei should go in the first four picks.

4. Anything else is firmly on the table afterwards.

5. This mock draft will almost certainly look foolish upon further inspection on Thursday night.

With those caveats in mind, let's get started.

1. Seattle – Steve Zakuani, Akron forward (GA)

I think Seattle tries to ditch this pick. If Sounders FC manages to move down, I have a hunch they take UC Santa Barbara's Chris Pontius somewhere lower in the first round. If they are stuck here, I think Zakuani has to be the guy because of his upside. He isn't a finished product, but he does things that make you shake your head and think he could be a really good one.

2. Toronto – Sam Cronin, Wake Forest midfielder

I think Toronto wants to dump this pick. If you're paying the kind of premium Mo Johnston will demand, I'd lean towards Cronin, who should be a solid pro for years to come and could likely step in and log some minutes this season.

3. Los Angeles – Omar Gonzalez, Maryland defender (GA)

For most of this week, I thought Cronin would go here because he's more likely to contribute now and most people pegged him here. Then I sat down last night and thought about it and changed my mind. Given the Galaxy's salary budget situation, the player almost has to have GA protection and Stefani Miglioranzi lends cover in the holding midfield role. The reassessment has swayed me towards Gonzalez. Other teams should plan to get to two in order to ensure Gonzalez's availability.

4. Toronto – Stefan Frei, California goalkeeper (GA)

The general consensus is that Toronto doesn't want to stay here either if it can help it. If TFC has to stay here, there are two considerations: Mo Johnston loves speed and needs a goalkeeper. I opted for Frei here simply because he shouldn't get past four.

5. FC Dallas -- Rodney Wallace, Maryland defender (GA)

Tough spot here for FCD because it's not high enough to get Gonzalez without making a move and it may not have the trade value FCD would like to move down. Kevin Alston's probably the best fit value-wise here, but Drew Moor just signed a deal through 2011 and plays right back. Left back and striker are the two pressing needs. Wallace has speed to burn and could play either left back or left midfield. If FC Dallas were to reach a bit and take him here, patience would be a necessity.

6. D.C. United -- Jeremy Hall, Maryland midfielder (GA)

Hall would be a nice fit for a United team that could use a couple of extra options out wide. For some reason, those United wingers like to succumb to injuries. I can't see Hall slipping much past here even with a less than stellar Combine based on his college resume.

7. D.C. United -- Chris Pontius, UC Santa Barbara forward

Pontius is a versatile player who can play out left midfielder or striker, which would hit two spots where United could use some depth. Many onlookers were impressed by his play at the Combine. I don't think he'll end up in D.C. as the board reshapes itself, but this wouldn't be a bad fit if it shakes out this way.

8. Kansas City – Kevin Alston, Indiana defender (GA)

If Alston sits here, this is a no brainer even though the Wizards would prefer attacking options. As the trading game unfolds, Alston should slide up the board. Kansas City should also resist the urge to select Baggio Husidic as the team continues in its annual quest to replace Preki. He's not the right fit and might end up as one of those draft day sliders because he doesn't fit in either central midfield role.

9. Chivas USA -- Peri Marosevic, Michigan forward (GA)

Given his combine performance and his roster-exempt status, it's tough to see Marosevic falling much past this point in the draft. Add in Chivas USA's need to strengthen up top and Marosevic makes sense. Pontius would be a nice fit here if he slips this far because he gives extra cover on the left side with Panchito Mendoza likely heading to Mexico.

10. New England -- Matt Besler, Notre Dame defender

The Revs need an attacking midfielder and a defender or two. They'll be tempted by Michael Lahoud if the draft works out this way because he's the best remaining player on the board and plays the game in the right way, but there isn't room for another central midfielder in this inn. Besler showed the type of heady play at the Combine that would make him a good fit here.

11. New York -- Michael Lahoud, Wake Forest midfielder

Juan Carlos Osorio needs defenders badly. He also needs decent players and depth all over the pitch. Lahoud would provide good value here. Maybe Osorio is the coach who takes a risk on Yohance Marshall's size and speed, but after living through the Gabriel Cichero era, I suspect Osorio will be a little gun shy.

12. Real Salt Lake -- Danny Cruz, UNLV midfielder (GA)

Wingers and/or fullbacks should be the order of the day for RSL here. Since Jason Kreis' current alignment doesn't believe in wingers, RSL can afford to pick Cruz and let him ferment for a couple of years. One caveat: remember how RSL stepped off the board last year to pluck David Horst from relative obscurity at the tail end of the first round.

13. Toronto FC -- O'Brian White, UCONN forward

It would be particularly difficult for TFC to pass up a Canadian forward with this much talent at this point in the draft. Busted ACL or no busted ACL, White should be the sole option here.

14. FC Dallas – Kyle Patterson, St. Louis midfielder

This is the spot where I want to squeeze Brad Ring, the Indiana midfielder who missed the combine through injury. But not to FC Dallas, who has too many central midfielders right now. Instead, FCD could opt for another winger in Patterson. Marshall wouldn't be a bad bet either at this point.

15. New England – Lyle Adams, Wake Forest defender

Without any attacking options magically arriving at the end of the first round, Adams would make some sense as cover at right back to continue the long line of Wake players heading to New England. Wake teammate Evan Brown might also come into the reckoning here.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kylemccarthy@gmail.com.