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Ah, draft season! The best part of Major League Soccer’s long off-season!
On January 17, Toronto FC walk into the MLS SuperDraft holding the two biggest cards, with the other 18 teams eyeing their picks (number one and three) and licking their lips.
It’s going to be a feeding frenzy, and Toronto FC have the most to gain.
With clubs like Sporting Kansas City, San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy all needing some reinforcements and sitting so low in the draft order, trading up is an expected result, and something that Toronto FC will surely be exploring. However, this does a disservice to the quality of the current crop of NCAA graduates! Before we talk of trades and allocation cash flying every which way, let’s take a look at some of the players available to Toronto FC in this years’ SuperDraft.
We start with Andrew Farrell.
Almost out of nowhere, Farrell went from being relatively unknown and unheard of to being one of the top prospects in this year’s SuperDraft. A commanding centerback who won a few personal accolades in 2012 (including Big East defender of the year), Farrell has all the makings of a starting XI player, if scouting reports are to be believed.
One problem with Farrell, if you can call it that, is his bilingualism, which, supposedly, gives Farrell a tendency to shout on the pitch in Spanish, a trait he picked up while growing up in Lima, Peru – Paul Mariner was pretty clear that he wanted English speakers in the backline, so this may pose a problem.
I am, of course, being sarcastic!
Farrell looks like the unanimous number one overall, which makes for a rather interesting decision on Toronto FC’s end; the club has already invested plenty of resources on defensive reinforcements, and with Danny Califf coming on board to play alongside Darren O’Dea, a spot in the starting line up isn’t assured for someone like Farrell – it isn’t assured for the likes of Doneil Henry and newcomer Gale Agbossoumonde, who are both, themselves, the kinds of players who would be drafted pretty high up if they were available.
So, investing the first pick on Andrew Farrell may not be the wisest move for Toronto FC – true, the young Louisville starlet can also play as a defensive midfielder (which Toronto FC is desperate for), but drafting Farrell may be a hindrance in his development.
It leaves Toronto FC’s picks in a bit of a tough spot, since another standout defender is being touted as a top three selection: Walker Zimmerman, who plays for Furman Paladin and the United States U20 squad, is another centerback who can make an immediate difference for Toronto FC. At 6’3”, Zimmerman has the physical presence to be a strong, MLS-quality defender.
Between Farrell and Zimmerman, Toronto FC have two choices for defensive drafting, but with the plethora of defenders already employed by Toronto, picking players in excess positions may be foolish when certain positions are lacking starting quality players, period!
For example – Toronto FC currently employ zero (0) starting left-wingers, and have only one really solid striker available to them in Eric Hassli.
It’s why Toronto FC would be wise to trade the number one pick for proven MLS talent, and then use pick number three on one of Ryan Finley, J.J. Johnson, or my personal selection, Eriq Zavaleta.
A forward for the Fighting Irish (Notre Dame), Finley scored 20 goals in 20 appearances, is six feet tall, has running legs, and is a well rounded forward. He would be available at slot number three, if draft boards are to be believed, due to one major drawback – he hasn’t started a game in two seasons. Finley has scored 20 goals coming off the bench at Notre Dame, which makes his numbers that much more impressive. Since starting time at Toronto FC is not guaranteed either, he would make the perfect late-game sub.
Meanwhile, J.J. Johnson at number three gives Toronto FC one of the top forwards available, and probably the most ready to contribute. Comparisons are being made with C.J. Sapong, and, should Toronto FC go for a forward, J.J. Johnson is as good a choice as any – it doesn’t hurt that fans are used to a forward named Johnson stepping up on the field.
Finally, there’s Eriq Zavaleta. The Indiana forward (and centerback!) is one of the top scorers in NCAA, won Big 10’s Offensive Player of the Year, and is an all-around competent player. However, he would need to be the first overall draft pick, because Zavaleta has a history with Chivas USA, who sit second in the draft. Toronto FC can still get some good value with draft pick number three, should they trade it, but with Zavaleta, Toronto FC ensure they gain a forward who can provide that much-needed depth and, potentially, start for the club.
And now, for predictions:
With the first overall draft pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Toronto FC should draft Eriq Zavaleta.
Chivas USA will then select one of Andrew Farrell or Walker Zimmerman.
If Toronto FC can find a player with proven MLS experience and they deem that player valuable enough to trade pick number three, they should trade it. Preferably, this player should be a midfielder, somewhere in his mid-to-late twenties.
However, if Toronto FC cannot find such a player, or do not receive such an offer, the smartest move would be to draft the best player possible – either Farrell or Zimmerman, depending on who’s available after Chivas’ pick.
(If both are available, Farrell wins out over Zimmerman).
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