2012 MLS Super Draft Final Top 40 Draft Board
This is my the final top 40 Draft Board for Thursday’s 2012 MLS Super Draft.
1. Darren Mattocks Forward Akron Sophomore Franchise Player Clear Cut #1 Overall Prospect Darren Mattocks has the ability to be a complete franchise player. Mattocks had 2 straight seasons of 18 goals.
Mattocks struggled on some plays against adiPure’s defense. adiPure’s defense features Jean Baptiste, Austin Berry, Tyler Polak. It will be fun to see how Mattocks handles himself against the Los Angeles Galaxy or the Houston Dynamo type of teams.
2. Andrew Wenger Defenseman Duke Junior Top 2 Talent Clear Cut #2 Overall Prospect Andrew Wenger has the versatility to play anywhere on the field. Wenger’s main position in the MLS should be center back with defensive midfielder as a secondary option.
3. Chandler Hoffman Forward UCLA Junior Top 3 Talent Clear Cut #3 Overall Prospect Chandler Hoffman had 18 goals as a junior. Hoffman dominated the first two days of the 2012 MLS Combine.
Hoffman is a safe bet to be a top 3 pick at this point. Chandler Hoffman reminds me so much of Taylor Twellman with his goal scoring ability that its scary.
4. Andrew Jean Baptiste Defenseman Connecticut Sophomore Top 5 Talent Clear Cut #4 Overall Prospect Andrew Jean Baptiste looks like one of the most complete center back prospects. I got Andrew Jean Baptiste going 4th overall to Toronto FC. I really believe Andrew Jean Baptiste is more defensively molded than Andrew Wenger at this point in his career.
5. Kelyn Rowe Midfielder UCLA Sophomore Top 10 Talent Clear Cut #5 Overall Prospect Rowe seems like a slight reach at #5 overall. Rowe has the potential to be one of the 5 best players in this Super Draft down the line. There is a very divided view on Rowe.
Some have Rowe graded out as a 2nd overall pick and some have Rowe listed as a 2nd rounder. There is a wide divided view on Rowe. I still believe someone takes Rowe in the top 5 at the end of the day.
6. Tyler Polak Defenseman Creighton Sophomore Top 10 Talent Tyler Polak is one of the top left back prospects for the 2012 MLS Super Draft.
7. Casey Townsend Forward Maryland Senior Top 10 Talent Casey Townsend has played really well the last few games at the 2012 MLS Combine. Townsend got a hat trick against a great west virginia defense.
8. Enzo Martinez Midfielder North Carolina Junior Top 10 Talent Enzo Martinez scored 10 goals as a sophomore. Martinez tallied 9 goals and 10 assists as a junior. Martinez looked sharp on Day 1 of the 2012 MLS Combine.
9. Nick DeLeon Forward/Midfielder/Defenseman Louisville Senior Top 10 Talent Nick DeLeon has the versatility to play forward, midfield, or defense. He got benched in the 2nd game of the 2012 MLS Combine. This has slightly caused him to drop from my 6th to my 9th best player available.
10. Ethan Finlay Forward Creighton Senior Top 10 Talent Before the 2012 MLS Combine I was speculating the notion that Finlay could be the Tim Tebow of the 2012 MLS Super Draft. Then day 2 of the MLS Combine happened. Finlay would score 3 of adiPure’s 4 goals in the first half. Finlay’s performance against Prime has propelled him into the top 10.
11. Matt Hedges Defenseman North Carolina Senior 1st Round Talent Matt Hedges is one of the top center backs. Hedges is the best prospect outside of the top 10.
12. Dom Dwyer Forward South Florida Junior 1st Round Talent Dom Dwyer managed to win some of the one on one match ups against Hedges. Dwyer currently grades out as my 12th best player available.
13. Luis Silva Midfielder UC Santa Barbara Senior 1st Round Talent Luis Silva was one of my top players available. Silva has struggled during the first 2 days of the combine. Silva did not impress me when getting the chance to capitalize on opportunities.
14. Sam Garza Forward UC Santa Barbara Junior Redshirt 1st Round Talent Garza has the ability to be a first round pick. Garza should not fall pas the Rapids.
15. Aaron Maund Defenseman Notre Dame Senior 1st Round Talent Aaron Maund really impressed me on Day 2 of the MLS Combine.
16. RJ Allen Defenseman Monmouth Senior 1st Round Talent RJ Allen has the versatility to play defensive midfielder, right back, or right wing. Allen really impressed me on Day 1 of the MLS Combine with his assist. Allen displays the versatility and defensive skill set to be a late first round pick.
17. Tony Cascio Forward/Midfielder Connecticut Senior 1st Round Talent Tony Cascio isn’t one of my top players. He does provide an attacking option for a team looking for a player who can fly around the soccer field.
18. Austin Berry Defenseman Louisville Senior 1st Round Talent Austin Berry can be one of the best center backs. Berry was my preseason #1 pick back in August.
19. Colin Rolfe Forward Louisville Senior 1st Round Talent As crazy as it sounds, Colin Rolfe is a player I could still see going in the first round. Rolfe impressed me with his effort at the 2012 MLS Combine.
20. Evans Frimpong Forward Delaware Senior 1st-2nd Round Talent Evans Frimpong is a fantastic goal scoring striker. Frimpong also displays the versatility to convert to the wing. Frimpong impressed me on day 2 of the MLS Combine.
21. Ryan Meara Goalie Fordham Senior Redshirt 1st-2nd Round Talent Ryan Meara is considered the top goalie prospect. Meara is not my favorite goalie in this draft. He is considered the top goalie prospect at this point.
22. Brian Rowe Goalie UCLA Senior Redshirt 1st-2nd Round Talent I told you to keep an eye out on Brian Rowe prior to the 2012 MLS Combine. Rowe has made some amazing saves. Rowe is closing in on Meara to be the top goalie selected. Honestly, I would prefer
23. Andy Rose Defenseman UCLA Senior 1st-2nd Round Talent Andy Rose is one of the best defensive midfielders. Rose is my top 2nd round talent available at this point.
24. Kirk Urso Defenseman North Carolina Senior 1st-2nd Round Talent Kirk Urso can be used as a central midfielder or a defensive midfielder. Urso can be a 1st to 2nd round talent for a team looking to add a defensive presence to their midfield. Most people rave about Urso’s ability as a defensive midfielder, he can be just as effective in central midfield.
25. Callum Mallace Forward/Midfielder Marquette Senior 1st-2nd Round Talent Calum Mallace has received limited minutes in both MLS Combine games. Mallace has not really done much to stand out in my eyes. Lots of MLS experts rave about Mallace. There are some people who think he could be a top 10 pick. That would be a major reach for Mallace.
Mallace has a better defensive skill set than an overall offensive game at midfield. Mallace covers well and intimidates some players he faces in one on one situations.
26. Arthur Ivo Midfielder SMU Senior 2nd Round Talent Ivo can play midfielder or left wing. Ivo dished out 10 assists for the SMU Mustangs in 2011. Ivo is worth a flyer at this point in the 2012 MLS Super Draft. Teams that need upgrades at midfield or left wing cannot afford to look past Ivo.
27. Tommy Meyer Defenseman Indiana Senior 2nd Round Talent Indiana center back Tommy Meyer looked solid in the first game of the 2012 MLS Combine. Meyer struggled in the second game which is why I dropped him to this spot.
28. Chris Estridge Defenseman Indiana Senior 2nd Round Talent Chris Estridge struggled in day 1 of the MLS Combine. Estridge was a left back at Indiana. I like Tommy Meyer slightly better than Estridge. Estridge is graded out as a 2nd round talent in my opinion.
29. Kevan George Defenseman Central Florida Senior 2nd Round Talent Kevan George is one of the best defensive midfielders in the 2012 MLS Super Draft. George should be a top 30 pick.
30. Chris Blais Goalie South Florida Senior Redshirt 2nd Round Talent Blais was my #2 goalie heading into the combine. I had Chris Blais as 2A and Brian Rowe as 2B. Brian Rowe has impressed me more during the MLS Combine. Blais is graded out as my 30th best prospect at this point.
31. Kenney Walker Defenseman Louisville Senior 2nd Round Talent Kenney Walker is one of the unknowns. Walker is one my most underrated prospects. Walker is not a reach if he goes slightly earlier than this. Walker is a very talented defensive midfielder.
32. Brendan King Midfielder Notre Dame Senior 2nd Round Talent I originally thought Brendan King would go undrafted. King really impressed me on day 1 of the MLS Combine. King has versatility to play midfield or move to the wing.
33. Raymond Gaddis Defenseman West Virginia Senior 2nd Round Talent Raymond Gaddis displays great athleticism. Gaddis has the versatility to play right back or left back.
34. Michael Green Midfielder New Mexico Senior 2nd Round Talent Michael Green is a central midfielder with the versatility to move to left wing. Green is a project with the ability to develop into a defensive midfielder who can mix up his game with the skill set of an attacker.
35. Shawn Singh Defenseman UCLA Senior 2nd Round Talent Shawn Singh was a bit of an unknown. The UCLA left back has really emerged at the 2012 MLS Combine. Singh should be a second round pick.
36. Brian Ownby Forward Virginia Senior 2nd Round Talent Brian Ownby has huge potential. The biggest concern with Ownby is his durability. Ownby has endured some durability concerns over the past few years. Ownby needs to play a full season and avoid injuries to sell scouts on his game.
37. Miguel Ibbara Midfielder UC Irvine Senior 2nd Round Talent Miguel Ibbara has not really stood out in my eyes yet. Ibbara is my 37th best player at this point.
38. Nickardo Blake Defenseman Connecticut Senior 2nd Round Talent Nickardo Blake could play anywhere on defense. Blake is probably best suited as an outside back.
39. Mykell Bates Defenseman Santa Clara Senior 2nd Round Talent Mykell bates is a center back with the versatility to be an outside back. Bates is slightly undersized. Bates needs more experience.
40. Hunter Jumper Defenseman Virginia Senior 2nd Round Talent Hunter Jumper is a quality left back from Virginia. I had Jumper going the first round. Jumper struggled as the season progressed though. Jumper struggled in the 2011 College Cup and on Day 1 of the MLS Combine which is why I have him at #40 overall on my draft board.
