MLS SuperDraft 2013: First-round recap
Several trades highlight an active first round, but the Revolution stick to script by picking Andrew Farrell No. 1.
Joe Robbins
1. New England Revolution (acquired in trade with TFC) -- Andrew Farrell, D, Louisville (Generation Adidas)
The Revolution moved up to the No. 1 spot the day and took the player most seemed to agree was the best athlete available. Can play defense or in the midfield.
2. Chivas USA -- Carlos Alvarez, M, UConn
Turns out this wasn’t a bluff. The midfielder said he wanted to play for Chivas and coach Jose Luis Sanchez Soli said he planned to pick him.
3. Toronto FC (acquired in trade with Timbers) -- Kyle Bekker, M, Boston College
Many have compared Bekker to Kyle Beckerman. He's also Canadian, so he's got that going for him, which is nice.
4. Vancouver Whitecaps (acquired in trade with Toronto FC via Revolution) -- Kekuta Manneh, F, Lake Travis High School (Generation Adidas)
Most seemed to think think this draft was really three deep, so maybe it wasn’t a huge surprise that the Whitecaps traded up to take a bit of a project. The 18-year-old Gambian is an athletic specimen.
5. Whitecaps (acquired in trade with Union) -- Erik Hurtado, F, Santa Clara
One of the fastest players in the draft, it appears the Whitecaps wanted to further bolster their forward corps. Interestingly, played for the Timbers U23 team.
6. Colorado Rapids -- Deshorn Brown, F, Central Florida (Generation Adidas)
The 6-foot-2 forward scored 13 goals last year in just 16 games. Certainly looks good on paper.
7. FC Dallas -- Walker Zimmerman, D, Furman (Generation Adidas)
Some seemed to think he might be the best defender in the draft. Seems like a solid pairing with Matt Hedges and cover for George John if he leaves.
8. Montreal Impact -- Blake Smith, M, New Mexico
Wasn’t real high on a lot of draft board, but he is a definite playmaker from the left side and had 13 assists last season.
9. Columbus -- F Ryan Finley, Notre Dame
Prolific scorer in college, he was second in the nation with 21 goals last year and had 56 in his career.
10. Seattle Sounders (acquired in trade with Toronto FC via Vancouver) -- F Eriq Zavaleta, Indiana (Generation Adidas)
Just moments before the pick, the Sounders jumped up to take a player they were particularly high on in pre-draft rankings. Zavaleta could slot in as a forward or a defender, two positions the Sounders could use some depth.
11. Colorado (acquired in trade with Chicago) -- M Dillon Powers, Notre Dame
TopDrawerSoccer.com had him as the ninth best talent in the draft after scoring five goals and registering nine assists in 2012.
12. Real Salt Lake -- John Stertzer, Maryland
A box-to-box midfielder that could potentially replace someone like Will Johnson in the long run.
13. Houston Dynamo (acquired in trade with Portland via NY) -- Jason Johnson, Virginia Commonwealth (Generation Adidas)
A big-bodied forward that showed a scoring touch. Could potentially be a nice pairing with Will Bruin.
14. Sporting Kansas City -- Mikey Lopez, M, North Carolina (Generation Adidas)
Not the biggest player at 5-foot-8, but scouts seem to think he has potentially significant upside. Good with the ball at his feet.
15. San Jose Earthquakes -- Tommy Muller, D, Georgetown
Defender’s stock rose considerably at the combine and was a key part of the Hoyas posting 10 shutouts last year.
16. Toronto FC (acquired in trade with Sounders FC) -- Emery Welshman, F, Oregon State
Got big points from scouts for being athletic, although it sounds as if he has some work to do with the ball at his feet.
17. D.C. United -- Taylor Kemp, D, Maryland
Should be able to help with the attack out of the left side. Perhaps in the mold of a Marc Burch.
18. Montreal (acquired in trade with Houston) -- Fernando Monge, M, UCLA
A very athletic player, but one that doesn’t seem to have a position, yet.
19. LA Galaxy -- Charlie Rugg, F, Boston College
A target forward that could potentially replace the loss of Edson Buddle.
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