Whitecap's first pick in 2011 Superdraft.(who to choose)

[TheKottonmouthed1555362307]

With Vancouver securing the 1st overall pick, the question is now who is the player we should be taking.

There are a good crop of players for this draft I've heard, I'm not the most extensive follower of college soccer, I was hoping some people here could help shed some light on possible candidates.

I've heard some names and here's a little summary on each of them.

Colin Rolfe - F - Louisville

http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/rolfe_colin00.html

Anthony Ampaipitakwong - MF - Akron

http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10800&ATCLID=941591

Matt Kassel - MF - Maryland

http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/kassel_matt00.html

Kofi Sarkodie - D - Akron

http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10800&ATCLID=1549222

Billy Schuler - MF - UNC

http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/schuler_billy00.html

Casey Townsend - F - Maryland

http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/townsend_casey00.html

Brian Ownby - F - Virginia

http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=1552792

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My personal favourite at the moments would be a toss-up between Townsend and Schuler. Though Ownby is probably the most ready to step in being "trained by pros".

[Strider]

DraftSite - http://www.draftsite.com/mls/mock/2011 - has Brian Ownby as number 1 and Ryan Kinne of Monmouth number 2, but I notice Salgado wasn't included.

Even though Salgado couldn't play until he's 18, I'd be tempted to take him for his upside, unless some other Generation Adidas candidate declares early, whose better and without Saldago's transfer issues.

[Havoc88]

Also not knowing those players intimately, if you look at the last couple drafts, both Akron and Maryland have produced very strong MLS calibre players. Zakuani and Bunbury both from Akron and off the top of my head, Mo Edu was a Terrapin. Honestly the safest bet IMO is either Maryland or Wake Forest to try and find good players.

[Smapti]

Even though Salgado couldn't play until he's 18, I'd be tempted to take him for his upside, unless some other Generation Adidas candidate declares early, whose better and without Saldago's transfer issues.

Marc Weber, I believe, mentioned that the whole transfer issue should be resolved but may take a month or two but should be ok, as FIFA has made a similar exception before. Again not sure of details. Worse case scenario, they take Salgado, have him play for another team for one year and he joins the Caps in Sep of 2011 when he turns 18.

An interesting thing is Soehn said prior to the decision that Salgado's five days with the team provided them with strong information of what they should do with their decision. I think they take Salgado.

[JohnnyCanuck]

Salgado. Hands down is the biggest upside guy in the group. There was a reason the Caps had him in for a failed loan.

[jloome]

Can someone fill me in one why Ownby is so high? His numbers seem pretty poor for a forward who was so dominant in high school.

[TheKottonmouthed1555362307]

Can someone fill me in one why Ownby is so high? His numbers seem pretty poor for a forward who was so dominant in high school.

Basically because he has spent time in the NYRB academy, though is unsigned, so he's being trained by pro's. This is what I've read. I don't see him as the number 1 pick though.

Salgado, and Shuler would be the guys I look at, possibly Townsend or Kassel.

[Free kick]

For a first year team, wouldn't it make sense to go with a midfielder? Or even a Central defender. A mid fielders can influence a game and have an impact on a team in many more different ways than a fwd.

Plus, unless a fwd is a speedy Michael Owen type, they usually take longer to develop (natural goal poacher/target man like Casey, Vieri and Shearer certainly did) and they depend much more on others for them to succeed and make their impact as opposed to the reverse situation. Case and point (though not a defender) Omar Gonzales of LA was top pick and his impact was immediate, the same could be said of Edu who is a MF.

Also, MLS tends to be a higher turn over league where you expect to succeed over shorter period and have to put up with small rosters. So you almost can afford to be patient with someone.

[Strider]

Can someone fill me in one why Ownby is so high?

I see Draftsite has lowered Ownby to number 16, perhaps he read your comment. Kinne is now number 1 and Salgado is on the list at number 2.

[Gordon]

I suspect that Vancouver is very high on a specific player - Salgado most likley. Otherwise, it would have been wiser probably to take the first expansion draft pick IMO. Getting the pick of know commodities, even those who are not necessarily league stars strikes me as a better bet than the crap shoot that is the MLS Draft.

[jpg75]

DraftSite - http://www.draftsite.com/mls/mock/2011 - has Brian Ownby as number 1 and Ryan Kinne of Monmouth number 2, but I notice Salgado wasn't included.

Even though Salgado couldn't play until he's 18, I'd be tempted to take him for his upside, unless some other Generation Adidas candidate declares early, whose better and without Saldago's transfer issues.

Not sure how accurate that site is. Matt Kassel is only eligible for the draft if NYRB don't sign him. He spent atleast 2 years in their Academy and therefore they retain his rights.

http://www.redbullsacademy.com/academy/overview/homegrown_player_policy.aspx

Players in the New York Red Bulls Academy will be added to the MLS home grown talent identification list.

Players who are on the list will benefit from the opportunity to be signed directly by the New York Red Bulls first team, as opposed to entering the MLS Draft where they could be selected by any MLS team. Set in place by the MLS in 2006, the rule is designed to provide increased opportunities for local players. In order to be eligible players must abide by the following guidelines.

•All players must reside in a team's "Home Territory" for at least one year prior to being added to the team's Home Grown Player List.

•Players must be added to an MLS team's Home Grown Player List prior to entering a four-year college, but can maintain their Home Grown Player status during college if registered before entering that institution.

•Members of the U17, U20, and U23 U.S. National Teams cannot be added to an MLS team's Home Grown Player List, but a player already on a Home Grown Player List can maintain that status if selected for a U.S. National team at a later date.

[Strider]

Not sure how accurate that site is. Matt Kassel is only

Thanks, I was watching a YouTube

concerning NYRB's academy and was wondering why he'd be on the list.

I wouldn't want a Vancouver Academy player to be so readily exposed.

[Ivan]

So if TFC wanted to sign Matheson, Stathopoulous or Stinson they would still have first crack before they go into the draft?

Edit: Never mind - got my answer in the other thread. Sorry.

[TheKottonmouthed1555362307]

Ownby was with Kassel in the NYRB acamdemy as well, I've heard they have hinted at they will not be signing them. Don't be suprised to see both of them drafted first round.

I read this on BigSoccer, though.

[jpg75]

If both of them are slated to be 1st round picks then NY would be absolutely brain dead to not sign them, even if they don't fit into their plans they're still excellent trade bait. And if the players don't want to sign with the club, then atleast the club retains their rights and can still turn around and trade them for some other assets.

[Smapti]

Here's a recent article detailing the top 11 College prospects for the 2011 draft.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/09/ncaa-preview-top-players-to-watch.html