Few Stars Come From Deep in SuperDraft

MLS teams picking in positions below the Seattle Sounders in the draft tend towards getting some depth, though a few gems can be found near the 16th pick.

With the 2013 MLS SuperDraft just one day away Seattle Sounders FC fans can look forward to new names being attached to the club. But with the 16th and 35th pick on Thursday (streamed on ESPN3, MLSSoccer.com and YouTube) the club is more likely to get a depth addition to develop rather than a key player for the upcoming season.

A few gems can be found close to where Sounders FC are drafting, the most notable at pick 16 or the next three spots are AJ DeLaGarza (19th in 2009) and Tim Ream (18th in 2010). Both of those players have some United States National Team time. DeLaGarza is a stalwart for the LA Galaxy. Ream’s time with the New York Red Bulls is already done as he was sold to the Bolton Wanderers of the English Premier League.

But outside of those two players over the past four years with the pick the Sounders have (16) and the next three there are three other players that are, or were, regulars with their drafting teams. Both Michael Stephens (16th in 2010) and Tommy Meyer (19th in 2012) were components of the Galaxy’s MLS Cup team this past season. Jeb Brovsky (19th in 2011) saw significant time with Vancouver in 2011 and then with Montreal in 2012.

Draft “Wins” at Spots 16-19 & 35-38 in First Year

There were just as many players who made little to no significant contribution to their clubs and another four that are fringe players with their teams. Some of those other players would be even less likely to play if they were Sounders as they are in places where Seattle has depth. There is a chance that with more time players like Dom Dwyer and Bobby Warshaw will become regulars in the future, but for now they are depth and lacking league playing time.

The second round is even less likely to find help for the upcoming year. Using the same standards and time span (2009 to 2012, pick the Sounders have and next three) only one player at Seattle’s next pick is a regular or even semi-regular, Ray Gaddis. Gaddis is a right back and rarely a centerback with the Philadelphia Union. A few other players provided limited help for their clubs, but none yet stick out past Gaddis.

With where Sounders FC is drafting finding depth is just fine. At this time there are 18 players that played in one-third of available matches in all competitions returning in 2013. Finding a starting quality player in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft would be extraordinary, but in recent years it is much more likely that the club adds to its depth for 2013.

Sounder at Heart is a blog about the Seattle Sounders FC, with occasional forays into Democracy in Sports, Roster Management, Tactical Analysis, Soccer Statistics and Life in Puget Sound.

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