Jump to content

A-League Draft


SeanKeay

Recommended Posts

Adrian Cann a defender who played at Louisville and is from Thornhill, is available and was also selected for the MLS combine for draft prospects. So obviously many scouts have looked at him.

As well, Calgary's Rob Catana from Hartwick College might be tempting for some teams because of his scoring prowess in the NCAA. Paul Dhaliwal from Edmonton who played at Bowling Green is apparently a decent prospect too.

There are several other Canadians that are seniors at NCAA schools, but I do not know if they are considered pro prospects.

From the CIS I wonder if Mesut Mert from Sain Mary's, Aaron Richer from UBC and Robert Rupf from the U of T might be looked at, especially considering they are all seniors and first-team all Canadians.

All that said, the draft can be a bit of a joke because teams hold rights for only one month and then the player is a free agent. If I were in charge of an A-League side in Canada, I might look at drafting CIS players because they might be easier to sign than NCAA players.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've taken my Div. I list that I did earlier this year and pared it to Canadian NCAA seniors that have run out of elibility.

Bowling Green University: Paul Dhaliwal (Sr.) Forward, Edmonton AB

University at Buffalo: Dave Pidgeon (Sr.) Midfield, Dorval PQ

Canisius College: Neil Gladstone (Sr.) Defender; Whitby ON; Shaun Griffith (Sr.) Forward, Ajax ON; Ainsley Romany (Sr.) Midfield/Defender, Scarborough ON

Duquesne University: Damien Pottinger (Sr.) Midfield/Forward, Scarborough ON

Fairleigh Dickenson University: Marc-Elie Andre (Sr.) Back, Montreal PQ; Sergio Riquelme (Sr.) Midfield, Montreal PQ

Georgia Southern: Kirk Latibeaudiere (Sr.) Goalkeeper, Mississauga ON

Hartwick College: Rob Catana (Sr.) Forward/Midfield, Calgary AB; Tim Taylor (Sr.) Defender, Calgary AB

Liberty University: Pavel Cancura (Sr.) Midfield/Forwar, Gloucester ON

University of Louisville: Adrian Cann (Sr.) Back, Thornhill ON

Ohio State University: Sam Migliano (Sr.) Defender, Toronto ON

Princeton University: Jason Bell (Sr.) Goalkeeper, Brampton ON

Robert Morris University: Mark Bono (Sr.) Back, Mt. Hope ON; George Parillo (Sr.) Forward, Montreal PQ; Said Ali (Sr.) Forward, Hamilton ON; Jamie Dodds (Sr.) Midfield, Hamilton, ON

St. Bonaventure University: Geron DuPorte (Sr.) Midfield, Scarborough ON; Jahmal Cameron (Sr.) Forward, Scarborough ON

Of interest from Div. II would be:

Southern Connecticut State University

Olivier Occean F/M Sr. 6-1 180; Montreal, Quebec

Of note from the CIS are the following All-Canadians that are fifth year players. Technically, several CIS players have A-League experience through amateur contracts (and more lenient CIS eligibility rules, although try telling that to the U of T). So possible CIS players in the A-League this year will certainly not be limited to the graduating players.

From the first team all CIS

Aaron Richer, Defender, UBC; Vancouver, B.C.

Robert Rupf, Defender, U of T; Toronto, Ont.

Mesut Mert, Midfielder, Saint Mary's; Halifax, N.S.

From the second team all CIS

Colin Rietveld, Defender, Alberta; Edmonton, Alta.

Ben Taylor, Defender, Queen's; Alliston, Ont.

Ammar Badawieh, Midfielder, Concordia; Amman, Jordan

Because the rules for the A-League draft seem to allow for high school players, underclassmen (from CIS schools) and others to be drafted, it's kind of hard to get a grasp as to whom may be drafted. Not that it really matters, but still some were worth noting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FIRST ROUND

1 Puerto Rico Pass - -

2 Edmonton Damian Pottinger M/F Duquesne University

3 Calgary Aaron Richer D U of British Columbia

4 Atlanta Pass - -

5 Toronto Marin Pusek M/F U of Alabama

6 Syracuse Will Hesmer G Wake Forest

7 Milwaukee^ David Wagenfuhr M Creighton (Boulder Rapids Reserve)

8 Virginia Beach Phil Hucles D William & Mary (Williamsburg Legacy)

9 Portland Alan Gordon F Oregon State

10 Rochester Perek Belleh F U of Rhode Island

11 Charleston Joseph Ngwenya F Coastal Carolina (Cape Cod Crusaders)

12 Vancouver Kevin Crouch F Simon Fraser

13 Seattle Troy Ready M U of Washington (Spokane Shadow)

14 Minnesota Brian Roberts D Yale

15 Montreal Adrian Cann D/M U of Louisville

16 Milwaukee Aaron Paye F Fairleigh Dickinson

SECOND ROUND

17 Puerto Rico Pass - -

18 Edmonton Paul Dhaliwhal M/F Bowling Green

19 Calgary Mathias Mueller D Embry-Riddle

20 Atlanta Pass - -

21 Toronto Kareem Morgan D U of Alabama

22 Syracuse Chris Aloisi D Syracuse (Brooklyn Knights)

23 Richmond Scott Buete M U of Maryland (Chesapeake Dragons)

24 Virginia Beach Jeremiah White F Wake Forest

25 Portland Leonard Griffin D UCLA (Orange County Blue Star)

26 Rochester Matthew Delicate F Virginia Commonwealth (Richmond Kickers Future)

27 Charleston Ricky Charles F USC-Spartanburg

28 Vancouver Jordan Robinson G U of Victoria

29 Seattle James Vert M Seattle U (Seattle Sounders Select)

30 Minnesota Bobby Lish M U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Wisconsin Rebels)

31 Montreal Olivier Occean F Southern Connecticut (Vermont Voltage)

32 Milwaukee Chad Riley M Notre Dame

^ Milwaukee received selection in trade with Richmond

Heres a couple of links for Toronto's Picks:

http://uabsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/pusek_marin00.html

http://uabsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/morgan_kareem00.html

Looks like the first pick of TO, Pusek has been invited to the MLS combine as well. Sounds like he could be a quality player. Anyone have opinions on Kareem Morgan? Google tells me he played with Glen Shields a few years ago, anyone remember anything about his play?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the Mustangs Alley Website:

A-League Draft - Calgary's picks

First Round: Aaron Richer - Defence - University of British Columbia

The 6'0", 175 lb. defender was named the Canada West player of the year for the second consecutive season.

Richer, a fifth-year defender, and last year’s CIS player of the year and a three-time Canada West all-star, was on the field for every minute of every game this season, scoring three times. Richer and Steve Frazao both competed for Canada at the World University Games this past summer in Korea, where Richer led the squad with three goals and Frazao netted a pair. Frazao has developed into one of the nation’s best strikers in his third season, pacing Canada West with 10 goals and nine assists. In 2002, he was also named to the conference all-star team after tying for the CIS lead with 12 markers.

Second Round - Matthias Mueller - Defence - Embry-Riddle University (an Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida).

The 5'9", 160 lb. Mueller, from Cottbus, Germany, (Anyone see a connection here? ) received 2003 Men’s Soccer First Team All-America honours. Mueller, who was selected to the All-FSC and All-Region XIV teams, played in every game of the 2003 season and anchored a defense that allowed only 22 goals in 21 matches.

His University bio called him:

A tenacious defender with great distribution…skilled at initiating attacks from the back…expected to have another standout season in bolstering the defense.

Coach’s Comments: “Matthias is perhaps the best central defender in the region if not the NAIA. He is a tough tackling defender who is very comfortable on the ball. In his final year we will be looking for Matthias to lead from the back, and to finish off his superb career.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's with all these young Ontario lads going to school in Alabama? Isn't southern Ontario hick enough for them? ;)

Sad to see we missed out on Richer, but Crouch is a cracker of a striker, and Robbo's a spectacular 'keeper. I had the chance to see Robbo in Korea as well. He clapped when I brought out the BC flag and sang a Vancouver song! [:o)]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:Originally posted by Ryan Keay

FIRST ROUND

1 Puerto Rico Pass - -

2 Edmonton Damian Pottinger M/F Duquesne University

3 Calgary Aaron Richer D U of British Columbia

4 Atlanta Pass - -

5 Toronto Marin Pusek M/F U of Alabama

6 Syracuse Will Hesmer G Wake Forest

7 Milwaukee^ David Wagenfuhr M Creighton (Boulder Rapids Reserve)

8 Virginia Beach Phil Hucles D William & Mary (Williamsburg Legacy)

9 Portland Alan Gordon F Oregon State

10 Rochester Perek Belleh F U of Rhode Island

11 Charleston Joseph Ngwenya F Coastal Carolina (Cape Cod Crusaders)

12 Vancouver Kevin Crouch F Simon Fraser

13 Seattle Troy Ready M U of Washington (Spokane Shadow)

14 Minnesota Brian Roberts D Yale

15 Montreal Adrian Cann D/M U of Louisville

16 Milwaukee Aaron Paye F Fairleigh Dickinson

SECOND ROUND

17 Puerto Rico Pass - -

18 Edmonton Paul Dhaliwhal M/F Bowling Green

19 Calgary Mathias Mueller D Embry-Riddle

20 Atlanta Pass - -

21 Toronto Kareem Morgan D U of Alabama

22 Syracuse Chris Aloisi D Syracuse (Brooklyn Knights)

23 Richmond Scott Buete M U of Maryland (Chesapeake Dragons)

24 Virginia Beach Jeremiah White F Wake Forest

25 Portland Leonard Griffin D UCLA (Orange County Blue Star)

26 Rochester Matthew Delicate F Virginia Commonwealth (Richmond Kickers Future)

27 Charleston Ricky Charles F USC-Spartanburg

28 Vancouver Jordan Robinson G U of Victoria

29 Seattle James Vert M Seattle U (Seattle Sounders Select)

30 Minnesota Bobby Lish M U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Wisconsin Rebels)

31 Montreal Olivier Occean F Southern Connecticut (Vermont Voltage)

32 Milwaukee Chad Riley M Notre Dame

^ Milwaukee received selection in trade with Richmond

Heres a couple of links for Toronto's Picks:

http://uabsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/pusek_marin00.html

http://uabsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/morgan_kareem00.html

Looks like the first pick of TO, Pusek has been invited to the MLS combine as well. Sounds like he could be a quality player. Anyone have opinions on Kareem Morgan? Google tells me he played with Glen Shields a few years ago, anyone remember anything about his play?

It says in his bio that he played on the U-20 nats and the U-18s. I don't remember him with either but that doesn't mean anything because I routinely forget my own address or what type of car I drive.

Even more important for the Lynx, and any of the Canadian teams drafting, is signability. Do they think they can actually ink these guys? The one problem I see is the MLS super draft is Jan. 16, right about the time the A-League teams have their rights for these players expire. Guys like Pusek, who will be on the adidas F50

team at the MLS combine, and Cann are going to wait and see if they are drafted by MLS clubs before signing anywhere in the A-League.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:Originally posted by Ryan Keay

FIRST ROUND

1 Puerto Rico Pass - -

2 Edmonton Damian Pottinger M/F Duquesne University

3 Calgary Aaron Richer D U of British Columbia

4 Atlanta Pass - -

5 Toronto Marin Pusek M/F U of Alabama

6 Syracuse Will Hesmer G Wake Forest

7 Milwaukee^ David Wagenfuhr M Creighton (Boulder Rapids Reserve)

8 Virginia Beach Phil Hucles D William & Mary (Williamsburg Legacy)

9 Portland Alan Gordon F Oregon State

10 Rochester Perek Belleh F U of Rhode Island

11 Charleston Joseph Ngwenya F Coastal Carolina (Cape Cod Crusaders)

12 Vancouver Kevin Crouch F Simon Fraser

13 Seattle Troy Ready M U of Washington (Spokane Shadow)

14 Minnesota Brian Roberts D Yale

15 Montreal Adrian Cann D/M U of Louisville

16 Milwaukee Aaron Paye F Fairleigh Dickinson

SECOND ROUND

17 Puerto Rico Pass - -

18 Edmonton Paul Dhaliwhal M/F Bowling Green

19 Calgary Mathias Mueller D Embry-Riddle

20 Atlanta Pass - -

21 Toronto Kareem Morgan D U of Alabama

22 Syracuse Chris Aloisi D Syracuse (Brooklyn Knights)

23 Richmond Scott Buete M U of Maryland (Chesapeake Dragons)

24 Virginia Beach Jeremiah White F Wake Forest

25 Portland Leonard Griffin D UCLA (Orange County Blue Star)

26 Rochester Matthew Delicate F Virginia Commonwealth (Richmond Kickers Future)

27 Charleston Ricky Charles F USC-Spartanburg

28 Vancouver Jordan Robinson G U of Victoria

29 Seattle James Vert M Seattle U (Seattle Sounders Select)

30 Minnesota Bobby Lish M U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Wisconsin Rebels)

31 Montreal Olivier Occean F Southern Connecticut (Vermont Voltage)

32 Milwaukee Chad Riley M Notre Dame

^ Milwaukee received selection in trade with Richmond

Heres a couple of links for Toronto's Picks:

http://uabsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/pusek_marin00.html

http://uabsports.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/morgan_kareem00.html

Looks like the first pick of TO, Pusek has been invited to the MLS combine as well. Sounds like he could be a quality player. Anyone have opinions on Kareem Morgan? Google tells me he played with Glen Shields a few years ago, anyone remember anything about his play?

It says in his bio that he played on the U-20 nats and the U-18s. I don't remember him with either but that doesn't mean anything because I routinely forget my own address or what type of car I drive.

Even more important for the Lynx, and any of the Canadian teams drafting, is signability. Do they think they can actually ink these guys? The one problem I see is the MLS super draft is Jan. 16, right about the time the A-League teams have their rights for these players expire. Guys like Pusek, who will be on the adidas F50

team at the MLS combine, and Cann are going to wait and see if they are drafted by MLS clubs before signing anywhere in the A-League.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:Originally posted by DJT

Why isn't the A-League draft held after the MLS combine and draft? The way it's done is like having an AHL draft before the NHL draft.

This thread reminds me: where is Krammerhead?

Here's why I advocate moving the draft to after the MLS draft.

1. You have an idea of who went where and their likelihood to stick with that MLS side. If they don't make the grade they will likely fall to the A-League side as a free agent or on a loaner basis with MLS.

2. You can pick the guys you know will want to come and play because they were missed by MLS. The MLS draft is only five rounds I think, so it is roughly 50 players that get picked and not all of them are collegiate players. In other words, the player will feel wanted by the A-League side, thus loyalty and the requisite "something to prove to the big league" mentality.

3. It is closer to graduation for the players so they are firming up their future plans. For example, why draft a guy if you're Calgary and he's from Toronto and has an internship set up at a Bay Street firm. That type of player is likely to want to play closer to home so he can do both.

4. It's closer to the start of the season. The options are going to be getting less and less, particularly since free agent camps for MLS will be winding up. Plus, it makes the rights a team has more meaningful, as some other team won't be able to poach that player and teams will be setting their rosters.

As you can see, I think about this kind of stuff too much. [:o)]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:Originally posted by Jason

I like that Jordan Robinson was drafted. He's an excellent young keeper. However, I was hoping he'd get picked by Calgary, as he is originally from here, and the Mustangs are definitely looking for a keeper.

Jason

I was hoping the Mustangs would draft Rob Catana from Hartwick because he's a Calgarian. Maybe they feel he is signable because of his play with Storm PDL in the past. I like Richer though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.thebramptonguardian.com/br/sports/peopleplaces/story/1573909p-1848425c.html

post on the other board by London Ont Soccer fan

Lynx's First round selection

Brampton's Marin Pusek was the first-round selection, fifth overall by the Toronto Lynx Wednesday in the A-League soccer draft.

Pusek, a midfielder was drafted from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A graduate of St. Augustine, Pusek was a three-time All-South Region Selection and an All-Conference USA selection in each of his seasons at UAB.

In 2003 he recorded four goals and four assists for the Blazers.

In the second round, 21th overall the Lynx selected defender Kareem Morgan of Pickering, who also played at UAB. The Blazers finished last season with a 10-4-5 record and a top 25 national ranking.

"We were intent on picking two talented Canadians in the draft and after outstanding years at UAB, we consider both Marin and Kareem ready for a career in the A-League," said new Lynx coach Duncan Wilde.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...