MLS Super Draft is going on

by bluemax on Jan 15, 2009 12:24 PM PST

Since there are a lot of future Sounders fans here. I casually follow LA Galaxy since I live about 15 miles from the Home Despot center. Admittedly though I don't know a great deal about the league or about how the MLS draft works, so maybe one of your more knowledgeable types can chime in on this.

With the first overall pick Seattle took:

Steve Zakuani* F Akron

Comment: English native and former Arsenal youth team player who scored 20 goals in 23 games in 2008 for Akron.

Thoughts?

And second round pick:

Evan Brown D Wake Forest

Comment: Winner of 2006 Most Improved Player award at Wake Forest. Recorded 4 goals and 15 assists in 4 years for the Demon Deacons.

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If there was ever a fanpost that was bait for me, this is it

The college draft isn’t as big a deal to MLS clubs as college drafts are to other leagues. It’s a big, huge transition in skill from college to the pros, and many first round picks never become much of anything while late round picks often turn into solid players. Jeff Parke, Seattle’s best defender, was the very last pick, #60 overall, in his draft. (And he wears number 60 which is cool).

In any event, Zakuani was the consensus #1 choice. He tore up a crappy conference last year, has the physical tools, just a question of how well they’ll translate to MLS. Probably a backup this year, but dude could be good.

by Nick S on Jan 15, 2009 12:47 PM PST reply actions

Ah I kinda figured it was more like baseball

where development factored in more than immediate impacts.

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Jan 15, 2009 12:51 PM PST up reply actions

Oh yeah the other thing

He’s one of like 10 underclassmen that get special contracts to leave school early for MLS, so he doesn’t count against the cap and is guaranteed not to peace out to Europe for 3 years. Which is a big deal. So I’m happy.

by Nick S on Jan 15, 2009 12:55 PM PST up reply actions

What do you think about Evans and Karkas?

It’s probably a good sign that the team recognizes that it needs help in the back.

by ningwers on Jan 15, 2009 1:43 PM PST up reply actions

Both are decent outside backs that love to get forward

Attacking football, yay!
Yeah aside from that dunno much. Both benchies. Or they should be. If Evans is counted on to start then we have a problem.

by Nick S on Jan 15, 2009 3:37 PM PST up reply actions

Zakuani was by no means a consensus #1

It actually seemed like he was slipping a bit – he was shut down in the combine, which led this pre-draft list to drop him to #5.

by marc w on Jan 15, 2009 4:03 PM PST up reply actions

I love Buzz Carrick but that list was hilariously wrong

Almost everyone else had Zak the Zip going #1

by Nick S on Jan 15, 2009 10:29 PM PST up reply actions

Oh and your Galaxy don't look shittacular for a change

If they get Donovan back from Bayern they’re a playoff team

by Nick S on Jan 15, 2009 12:48 PM PST reply actions

Is he on loan to them?

Sounds like Beckham might be staying but I don’t care too much on him. Landon would be a bigger deal though.

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Jan 15, 2009 12:49 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, a short term loan

Like start of MLS season short. He’s been good though so I bet he stays in Germany at least till end of May.

by Nick S on Jan 15, 2009 12:56 PM PST up reply actions

The loan thing is still so weird to me

no other sport has anything like this do they?

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Jan 15, 2009 12:57 PM PST up reply actions

Not that I can think of

Of course no other sport has like eleventy jillion different leagues

by Nick S on Jan 15, 2009 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

It's really tough for me to wrap my head around, also.

by Kirsten Schlewitz on Jan 15, 2009 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

I think it make sense for Europe given the lack of a set roster size

THAT’S the one I can’t get my head around. How many players does Chelsea NOT own?

by marc w on Jan 15, 2009 4:05 PM PST up reply actions

From BA's latest minor league transactions...

San Diego Padres
Released: C Wary Polanco
Loaned to Mexican League: RHP Luis Mendez, RHP David Reyes, RHP Hector Sanchez, LHP Juan Robles, LHP Misael Valenzuela

Stop The Wave!

by ConorGlassey on Jan 15, 2009 5:32 PM PST up reply actions

ESPN commentary on Seattle's first pick:

Link

ST. LOUIS — The expansion Seattle Sounders FC have taken University of Akron forward Steve Zakuani with the first pick of the MLS SuperDraft.

The 20-year-old Zakuani led the nation with 20 goals and 27 points this season as a sophomore. He was Soccer America’s player of the year and was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, given to the top NCAA Division I player.

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Jan 15, 2009 12:50 PM PST reply actions

Since we have a soccer thread going

Holy flying fuck 107 million pounds for Kaka? This is getting ridiculous

by Nick S on Jan 15, 2009 1:04 PM PST reply actions

Plus a million per fortnight

by Graham MacAree on Jan 15, 2009 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

And he's still thinking of turning it down last I heard

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 15, 2009 1:19 PM PST up reply actions

Thats a lot of oil money for a player

I wouldn’t blame AC Milan if they took the money. That kind of scratch never comes around and could pay for a lot of improvements to the club. Hell you could renovate the San Siro with that much. Plus you’re only losing one player, yeah he’s a hell of a player but he’s still only one guy.

by Scrupio on Jan 15, 2009 6:56 PM PST up reply actions