Yup, those cold winds are definitely blowing in and rattling around the empty concourses and ramps of RFK Stadium.
Fear not, for that is the certain sign of coming CHANGE! No, not all that hullabaloo that is going to take place soon down by the National Mall. Rather, we at SE HQ are looking forward to the MLS Draft this Thursday (live at 2pm on ESPN2)!
It is definitely the season for HOPE, so why not dream that one of our fab first round picks will end up as successful as a certain Kiwi now plying his trade at Blackburn Rovers. Having both the 6th and 7th picks in the First Round is definitely something we can believe in!
Of course, since you would rather save some of your travel dollars for the USA – Mexico World Cup Qualifier in February – there must be another way to scout out the prospects. Sure enough there is.
We suggest you start out by perusing what one of our very own members, Joe Mauceri, has put together. While you were too busy with all the local soccer action last year, JoeSoccerFan earned his moniker by carrying on the proud tradition of heading to all points of the compass just to catch almost every collegiate match conceivable (and still remain employed).
But don’t just stop there – check out the Combine reports from Gianfranco Panizo at SBI and Buzz Carrick at 3rd Degree, unless you are already certain who you think Dave Kasper and Co. should be picking. For the rest of us who might not be able to divine whether Babajide Ogunbiyi has a better shot than a Yohance Marshall from wearing the Black and Red after Thursday, these are invaluable stops during the run-up to the NSCAA gamblefest.
If it all seems far to complex for you to keep track of, don’t panic. Ridge Mahoney at SA notes that not every name bantied about at the combine will become a household name, even amongst the most passionate MLS fans – although, we so wish all these pundits would stop picking on poor Luke Kreamalmayer. We are assured that Tom Soehn with his two picks in the pocket is going to be a popular guy this week.
Finally, if that doesn’t give you hope that things might be different this coming season. Goff at Soccer Insider confirms that Gonzalo Peralta and his hefty chunk of salary are no longer on our books. So, what do you think we should do to fill our holes for 2009?
We need some more youth! How about we pick up one of our hometown boys: Rodney Wallace or AJ Delagarza.
I am hoping they pick up someone with pace! We keep getting killed by other teams. I am not sure Wallace fits that bill effectively – do you seem him in midfield or playing in the back for us?
AJ would be a surprise pick in the first round. I would think if he is available, that we would go after another local product in Kevin Alston to shore up our backline.
Delagarza does not have the size to play in central defense which is the critical hole we need filled right now. And if you want a wide attacking player, Jeremy Hall would be a better bet than the others mentioned. However, he might be long gone by the 6th pick. If AJ is available in a later round, he might be useful because he is a savvy player who might make it at the next level.
My expect them to continue to tap into U Maryland.
If only because Cirovski is married to my daughter’s soccer coach.
Seriously, United seems to llike to tap local talent in the draft. Since so few pan out in the long term, I think they like to have the local support mechanisms in place to help the lads adjust.
We have a winner! Rodney Wallace with the 6th pick.