Although the MLS SuperDraft is a bit of a shot in the dark, the three Canadian teams are drafting in a position where they could get a good piece so long as they do their homework.
There is still lots of factors that we need to know – who the Generation adidas class is chief among them -- before we can truly rank the limited talent available in the draft, but over the next few days we will have a look at the five most likely picks for each of the three teams.
We start today with Toronto:
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]1 - Kelyn Rowe (midfielder, UCLA)
At the start of the year, Rowe was the consensus No 1 – and he still might be – but some questions emerged that may see him drop a few spots. He’s the most creative player available in the draft and might have the most upside. If he drops to three he seems like a perfect fit into Winter’s system and, although he plays in a position of somewhat strength for Toronto, he would be too good to pass up.
2 - Austin Berry (centreback, Louisville)
Berry is a big body and one of the most MLS ready defenders in the draft. At the start of the year Berry was expected to go high in the draft but a poor season by his team has dropped his stock. He’ll probably be there for Toronto to select and it seems likely that his skill-set will be more compelling than a poor college season.
3 - Matt Hedges (centreback, North Carolina)
Another big (6’4”) centreback that appears to be MLS ready. He may be the most technically gifted player in the draft and Toronto will be lucky to have a shot to pick him. He’s ranked below Berry because it seems likely that he might be grabbed before.
4 - Aaron Maund (centreback, Notre Dame)
You may be noticing a trend here...Maund is a little more raw than the CBs listed above, but may have more upside. He is athletic and has played most of his career as a fullback. The versatility may interest Winter, but he’s expected to be a CB at the pro level.
5 - Eric Schoenle (centreback, West Virginia)
Tall and skinny, Schoenle might need to hit the weight room before he is able to step in and perform. However, as a left-footer, he fills a hard to get role in Winter’s system (he differentiates between the left and right centrebacks).