The MLS SuperDraft picks up the slack from its weekend off with rounds three and four today at 2pm ET, and if history holds true there will be plenty of great finds on the books.
After a remarkable first round that saw Philadelphia trade up to select the first No. 1 overall goalkeeper in MLS history -- we spoke with him on Friday -- the draft moves on today. I’ve seen several prospects in person over the past couple years and there’s a lot to be liked. Cornell defender Patrick Slogic is a big presence in the 18 and Akron’s Aodhan Quinn has a marvelous left foot, while playmaker Fabio Pereira has played some magnificent balls for the University of Michigan and Detroit City FC.
As the league continues to grow, the quality of the final two rounds should theoretically drop off a bit (the third round used to start with the 21st selection, now Portland opens today’s third round with pick No. 39). Let’s take a look at some names from just a five-year span of later rounds past:
2004 - The Metrostars select Michael Bradley with their fourth-round pick (No. 36 overall)
2005 - Chicago picks Chris Rolfe in the third round.
2006 - Chivas USA snags Jonathan Bornstein in the fourth round.
2007 - Tally Hall, Omar Cummings and Luis Robles all picked up in the latter rounds.
2008 - Geoff Cameron goes at No. 42 overall to Houston while Steven Lenhart goes to Columbus six picks later.
There’s plenty to look forward to this afternoon, even if history says many of these names will disappear. The fact remains that some team will likely find an MLS diamond in the next several hours.
