MLS Superdraft Super Shakeup

Uncertainty swirled about the Baltimore Convention Center Friday, before the start of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. Many felt there was no clear #1 and loads of substantial talent in the middle. When the dust finally settled, the picks fell the way no one could have predicted.

UCLA’s fullback Chance Meyers was nabbed as the #1 overall pick by the Kansas City Wizards. Meyers overshadowed the fall of potential #1’s, Patrick Nyarko of Virginia Tech and Julias James of Connecticut, to the 7th and 9th spots respectively.

In a field with no particular standout, San Jose gave up the number one pick for a single player, Wizards fullback, Nick Garcia. Meyers also took advantage of the muddled field with a stellar performance at the MLS combine, where he displayed his skill and versatility in playing opposite his usual side.

Meyers was also one of the 10 Generation Adidas players taken in the first 19 picks, and the third #1 overall in a row. The popularity of such players was perhaps the only predictability in the draft. Members of the Generation Adidas development program don’t count against a team’s salary cap and appeal for long term development of unproven young players.

FC Dallas took halfback Brek Shea of the U.S. U-17 national team with the second pick before Real Salt Lake took Meyers’ fellow UCLA fullback Anthony Beltran.

The LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids finished out the top 5 by taking halfbacks Sean Franklin of Cal St. Northridge and Ciaran O’Brien of UC Santa Barbara. O’Brien’s teammate Andy Iro went next at #6 to the Columbus Crew, before Nyarko was taken by the Chicago Fire.

With their second pick of the first round FC Dallas took net minder Josh Lambo, again from the U.S. U-17 national team. Then Toronto FC took James and halfback Pat Phelan from Wake Forest, back to back to finish out the erratic top ten.

The MLS clubs will hold a supplemental draft on January 24 to select more young players via a league conference call. Perhaps the supplemental will be tamer. Then again, we know what predictions can bring.