Pre-SuperDraft Analysis

[mckid]

With the Super Draft approaching and the college season ending I figured it was high time to scout out our perspective draftees. I'm not the most knowledgeable student of the college game so I have had to rely on the list provided by Robert Rovick at huntparkinsider.com. Thank you Robert for putting this together. My analysis is based purely upon the information from this list. You can find the list here:

http://www.huntparkinsider.com/news/2004_college_stars_list.html

and make your own analysis.

My pick for our #1 draft choice would be Hermann trophy finalist Ryan Pore out of Tulsa. Assuming he's making himself available for the draft, the 6-foot striker is only a junior and he's amassed more points (114) than any other Hermann finalist. His height would be an asset on set pieces. As a junior Pore would qualify as a P-40 player, thus not counting against the salary cap.

The rest of my picks come in no particular order. Even though I do think having a forward who's north of 6 feet is important. That's why I think Drew McAthy would be a good pick. The 6'2" senior scored 50 career goals for Santa Barbara. From a numbers stand point he would pair up with the 5'10" Kreis very nicely.

For the midfield I focused more on assists. But, if you look at the list those who have a lot of assists also tend to score a lot of goals. My picks are Mubarie Chisoni, the leading point getter among senior midfielders, and Doug Lascody out of Southwest Missouri.

It's hard to judge the quality of a defender by their offensive stats. From the list and stats given I like Washington product C.J. Klaas and James Twellman from Stanford. Yes, it's the same Twellman. My initial thought is that having a brother in the league would help James' chances of getting drafted. Both defenders come under the 6-foot radar. Being 6'2" defender myself I realize that height isn't always on your side. It's nice to have defenders that aren't easily meggable. James Goodman would provide a physical presence, and another target on set pieces.

I didn't bother to really look at the keepers. Having already drafted D.J. Countess, and with the prospect of getting Keller from Tottenham I think we have the keeper position pretty well set. And if not, there are a number of quality keepers at every level in this country who could hold their on in MLS. Troy Perkins proved that last season.

There you have it. A pre-draft analysis based completely on offensive stats. Who would your picks be?

[colinkun]

Excellent work Scottie!

I did a quick scan of some college players a week or two ago, just after the expansion draft. Ryan Pore stuck out to me because of the big numbers too.

[Loyal1]

I was hoping that Knox Cameron would come out early but I guess he's staying in college another year.

CJ Klaas is one of Ellinger's guys. All of them might be but I remember seeing Klaas on a lot of Ellinger's rosters.

[SoccerPrime]

Good chance to scout some Superdraft players by watching the NCAA Men's Division 1 championship.

NCAA Men's Division 1 Semifinal #1 (at Carson, CA)
ESPN2
Sa Dec 11 12noon ET/9am PT (1-day delay)

NCAA Men's Division 1 Semifinal #2 (at Carson, CA)
ESPN2
Sa Dec 11 11pm ET/8pm PT (1-day delay)

NCAA Men's Division 1 Final (at Carson, CA)
ESPN2
Su Dec 12 4pm ET/1pm PT LIVE

[3rd Degree]

http://www.3rddegree.net/

we have a big SuperDraft coverage section as well.

http://www.matchnight.com/
also has laods of superdraft stuff.

[SoccerPrime]

My guess is that RSL will pick Indiana's Danny O’Rourke (MF) unless they trade their pick away first.

[mckid]

After getting my first look at the NCAA players this last weekend here are my thoughts.

I would love to see O'Rourke in Salt Lake. The kid's a tough fighter and I like his attitude. You could tell his team looked to him as their captain.

Now that I've seen McAthy play I like him even more! He would be an excellent partner and apprentice to Kreis.

Peterson for Indiana is only a Sophomore, but he is another talent that would be valuable for an MLS side in a few years.

Tony Lochead, the New Zealand international defender for UCSB, is a quality player. I would like him on our back line.

Did anyone else catch the College Cup this weekend? What did you see?

[SoccerPrime]

I only got to see some of the Maryland/Indy game on Saturday. the Terp forward Jason Garey was very good and I think will be a good pick for MLS.

[mckid]

The Duke freshman Michael Videira impressed me in the their semi-final.

I didn't get to see the IU/Maryland game. 🙁

[SoccerPrime]

If your interested, this guy Jeremy from BigSoccer.com records most US soccer games and then burns them on DVDs for ppl.
Check him out: http://www.martnet.com/~jgoodwin/distro/