Chris Ransom’s Projected 2012 Generation Adidas Team
Every year 8 MLS Underclassmen are Generation Adidas Players drafted in the MLS Super Draft. The names for these players around Decemmber. These underclassmen usually go higher than most senior players. These 8 players are the 8 players that I project to make the final Generation Adidas Team for the 2012 MLS Super Draft. After I list these 8 players I will list 5 other potential Generation Adidas candidates who could make this list if a player on my list does not make the cut.
Darren Mattocks Forward Akron Sophomore Darren Mattocks scored 18 goals as a true freshman on an Akron team that had 7 MLS Players drafted and 2 players leave due to transferring. Mattocks has had to step up big for Akron in 2011 as he has 18 goals, 4 assists, and 40 points on 90 shots. Mattocks is scoring on 1 out of every 5 shots he takes. I consider Mattocks a franchise player considering what he has done with a limited supporting cast at Akron. Mattocks pretty much has his spot on Generation Adidas reserved assuming he decides to leave Akron and sign a Generation Adidas Contract.
There is also speculation that Mattocks could play in Europe. 5 teams from the English Premiere League want to bring Mattocks in for a tryout. One of those 5 teams is Chelsea FC. I doubt Mattocks is good enough to make Chelsea at his age, but I could see Mattocks playing for Chelsea FC in 10 years from now. Mattocks may encounter a similar situation as Soony Saad if he decides to try out in Europe overseas.
Another rumor reports that Mattocks may not want to play for a Canadian soccer team. If that’s the case he will either try out in Europe or a team will make a blockbuster trade with Montreal to move up for Mattocks. In previous MLS Drafts you had 3 or 4 rounds to draft players. This year’s draft is only 2 rounds so Montreal may move down if a team ponies up enough picks.
Andrew Wenger Defenseman Duke Junior Andrew Wenger is an offensive defender who has recorded 17 goals, 8 assists, and 42 points. Wenger could play forward, midfielder, or defender in the MLS. Wenger can be used as a forward striker, secondary striker, attacking midfielder, left winger, right winger, offensive defender, defensive midfielder, a center back, right back, left back, and a two way defender. Wenger’s complete all around game and versatility could cause him to be the top pick after Mattocks.
Other media outlets believe Wenger is one of the more consensus #1 prospects coming out in recent years. Starting in December I will post 1 MLS Scouting report per day leading up to the 2012 MLS Super Draft on January 12th.
I already have a scouting report up for Akron’s Darren Mattocks. I will scout Wenger today before waiting until December to scout the other 36 players who are projected to get drafted in the MLS in 2012. The reason I am going to scout Wenger today is because I want to determine who Montreal should draft with the top pick given the choice between Mattocks and Wenger.
It really is not fair for me to crown Mattocks the top pick without watching Wenger’s game because Wenger is the consensus top prospect among most of the media. Its clear that Mattocks and Wenger will go 1 and 2. I thought Mattocks was a lock for the top pick. After October most people got the impression that Wenger was the top pick.
Whoever the Montreal Impact pass on between Darren Mattocks and Andrew Wenger will end up being the face for the Vancouver Whitecaps. If Mattocks doesn’t sign with Generation Adidas then Duke phenom Andrew Wenger is going to be the top pick.
Kelyn Rowe Midfielder UCLA Sophomore Kelyn Rowe was considered by many to be the #1 pick for the 2012 MLS Super Draft after Sonny Saad left Michigan to try out in Germany. I actually had Austin Berry the Louisville defender as my #1 prospect.
Rowe played for the USA Under 18 Soccer Team and the USA Under 20 Soccer Team. Kelyn Rowe had 7 goals, 10 assists, and 24 points as a freshman.
Rowe only has 5 goals and 7 assists in 2011. I was never really high on Rowe as a prospect and I wonder why so many people are high on Rowe as a prospect.
I would not take Rowe with a top 5 pick. At the end of the day I get the feeling someone will draft him in the top 5. Most MLS Scouts say Rowe is in that elite tier 1 of Generation Adidas Players with Darren Mattocks and Andrew Wenger. I disagree there. There are 2 midfielders I like better who are on my Generation Adidas list.
Billy Schuler Forward North Carolina Junior Redshirt Billy Schuler has led the #4 ranked Tar Heels in goals. Schuler has 14 goals, 3 assists, and 31 points. Billy Schuler is considered the top Generation Adidas forward after Darren Mattocks.
Enzo Martinez Midfielder North Carolina Junior Enzo Martinez has 8 goals , 10 assists, and 26 points in 2011. Martinez looks like the best midfielder based off of what I have seen.
Eric Schoele Defenseman West Virginia Junior Eric Schoele is a defensive defender with good size at 6 foot 2. Schoele is not as complete as Andrew Wenger. Some people believe Schoele has better ability as a defensive defender.
Chandler Hoffman Forward UCLA Junior Chandler Hoffman has 14 goals for UCLA in 2011. While I believe Kelyn Rowe is overrated to a certain extent I believe Chandler Hoffman is extremely underrated as a prospect.
Hoffman has 14 goals, 4 assists, and 32 points in 2011. Hoffman has posted better numbers than North Carolina’s Billy Schuler. Expect Hoffman to battle things out with Billy Schuler, and Maryland senior Casey Townsend for the #2 forward in the 2012 MLS Super Draft.
Matt Lodge Midfielder Kentucky Junior Matt Lodge has 7 goals, 10 assists, and 24 points. The #8 spot on my Generation Adidas Team was up for grabs at this point so I gave Lodge this spot. It would not shock me if Lodge pulled a Casey Townsend and returned for his senior year.
Under The Radar Underclassmen who could be Generation Adidas Players
Brian Span Midfielder Virginia Sophomore Span is a top 10 lock and a player who could challenge for a top 5 pick if he declares as a sophomore. Span could make a run to be the first midfielder drafted. He needs another year at Virginia to mature. Span will be a Generation Adidas player if he leaves after this year. Its probably in Span’s best interest to return because Virginia will be better next season.
Forward Will Bates a junior redshirt is returning to school for his senior year. Bates got injured as a junior redshirt and will be back at full health in 2012. Span has 7 goals, 5 assists, and 19 points as a true sophomore. Span has a chance to lead Virginia to a National Title in 2012 if he returns for his junior season. Virginia won the title over Akron in 2009. If Virginia won in 2012 it would be their 2nd title in 4 years for Virginia’s college soccer program.
Span would also be the frontrunner to be the #1 overall pick in the 2013 MLS Super Draft if he returned. Brian Ownby returned for his senior year when most people expected him to declare. That’s why I believe Span returns to Virginia for his junior season.
Span may ultimately end up declaring in the end. Returning to Virginia is probably in Span’s best interest.
Robbie Derschang Midfielder Sophomore SMU The Colorado Rapids own his rights. Derschang should be a Generation Adidas member unless the MLS upholds the Rapids rights to the SMU sophomore.
Dillon Powers Midfielder Notre Dame Junior There is heavy speculation that both Ryan Finley and Dillon Powers will return for their senior years so that Notre Dame can contend for a National Title in a year from now. Powers could be a top 5 pick in 2012 if he changes his mind. For now, Powers looks like he will return.
Tyler Polak Defenseman Creighton Sophomore Polak is probably better suited to return to Creighton for his junior year. At this point Polak is barely on the outside looking in when it comes to making Generation Adidas. Polak could be a top 5 pick in a year from now in 2013 if he returns for his junior season.
Carlos Alvarez Midfielder Connecticut Junior Alvarez can be used as a forward, secondary striker, or an attacking midfielder. Alvarez is an underclassmen looking outside of round 1 right now. Alvarez could be a first round pick in 2013 if he returns for his senior year.
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