The countdown has begun to determine who will be 2013's first overall pick. All three Canadian clubs are in good positions to draft players that could contribute for years to come. This year's draft does not have quite the standout talent seen in previous drafts, but with a bit more balance and due diligence from each team, there are players who can step up to the MLS level, if not now in a few more years.
See also: 2013 MLS Combine Draft Predictions
Below, is RedNation Online's 2013 Mock SuperDraft. Contrary to the review of the 2013 Combine invitees, I now look at the players who I feel best suite the needs of each club and could contribute as soon as possible.
*** Updated: Jan 16, 9:00pm ET. With Toronto FC Trading their first overall pick to New England for the fourth pick with allocation, RNOs mock draft has been adjusted accordingly.
FIRST ROUND
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1. New England - Walker Zimmerman, D, Furman
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Zimmerman might have the greatest long term potential from this draft and for this reason I think this is why New England made the move for the #1 pick. Many have gone with Farrell as number one but Zimmerman is the better prospect to develop higher in the next few years.
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2. Chivas USA - Mikey Lopez, M, North Carolina
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Chivas USA has a need in midfield and have express interest in both Alvarez and Lopez. If Toronto takes Alvarez then Lopez is an automatic choice if Toronto does not take Alvarez than Chivas will probably take one of the two.
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3. Toronto - Andrew Farrell, D, Louisville
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Toronto will probably take either Farrell, Lopez or Zimmerman based
on who is available when they pick, and based on my mock draft that
leaves them with Farrell. If Farrell is gone, look for Zimmerman to slot into this spot.
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4. Toronto FC - Carlos Alvarez, M, Conneticuit
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TFC needs help in a number of positions and I feel Alvarez can fit in right away assisting in the midfield. Since Chivas USA is also looking at the midfield, there's a strong chance they will go wit Lopez instead and Toronto can scoop up a player who should be able to contribute this year.
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5. Vancouver - Dillon Powers, M, Notre Dame
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If available Vancouver would probably take any player from my top four pick although if the draft goes how I predict I think Powers is the best fit for the Whitecaps since they already have depth at forward. I also feel Powers has much greater potential than Bekker who they might be tempted to take.
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6. Colorado - Ryan Finley, F, Notre Dame
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Colorado has a recent history of drafting college seniors and finding a role for them within the first team. Finley is not as flashy as other forwards in the draft but can full a role and could continue his college role as a super sub scoring goals off the bench.
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7. FC Dallas - DeShorn Brown, F, UCF
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Brown seems the more finished product than the other speedy Generation Adidas forwards in the draft so I have him going here for the reason of being the best player available but they could take Johnson or local product Manneh instead.
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8. Montreal - Eriq Zavaleta, F, Indiana
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There will be a temptation to take Zavaleta earlier in the draft but concern about his speed and what position he plays should drop him in the draft. Zavaleta has some similarities to Wenger who Montreal drafted 1st overall the year before who had filled in at a supporting role for the club.
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9. Columbus - Jason Johnson, F, Virginia Commonwealth
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Johnson has great athletic upside which will make him a temptation for any club. In a top heavy draft I see him as the last for sure prospect in the draft so I don't imagine Columbus will let him go past the 9th pick.
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10. Vancouver - Kofi Opare, D, Michigan
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In many people eyes Opare is a surprise pick here especially with Bekker still in the draft although if I'm right and Vancouver draft Powers with their earlier pick the need for a midfield depth would be less and Opare is Canadian and has potential with great size and athleticism.
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11. Chicago - Kekuta Manneh, Forward
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Of the GA's Manneh is the least scouted. Depending on teams interest in the player he could go as early as 5th in the draft. Chicago could also try to draft for position taking Gomez, Nealis or Kemp but I think Manneh's GA contract will be too much for the Fire to pass up.
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12. Salt Lake - Jose Gomez, M, Creighton
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Salt Lake has an interesting draft history and they like taking players that they feel can fit in to the system of the club. I feel Gomez has the ability to adapt to most clubs structures and will be good safe pick at this point of the draft.
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13. Houston - Eric Schoenle, D, West Virginia
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Houston has had an issue of developing defenders and them moving off to European clubs so drafting a defender seems a fitting choice. They could go for fullback instead by drafting Nealis or Kemp but I think Schoenle due to his heading ability is a player with a greater upside.
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14. Sporting KC - John Stertzer, Midfielder, Maryland
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Sporting KC will want to continue the progress they made last season and providing more depth should assist in the process. Stertzer fits this role although this is KC's only pick in the first two rounds so they may go off the board if a player to them stands out.
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15. San Jose - Jimmy Nealis, D, Georgetown
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If not drafted earlier Nealis is a great pick for San Jose as he can provide San Jose some defensive depth as well as providing some speed on the bench. San Jose could also draft a forward as their players who fit the Lienart/Gordon role.
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16. Seattle - Dylan Tucker-Gangnes, D, Washington
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Seattle has a history of drafting local products and Dylan Tucker-Gangnes fits this option. Like Opare earlier in the draft his size is asset and Seattle will be hoping they can help develop him into a useful player.
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17. DC United - Taylor Kemp, D, Maryland
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DC United would also be interested in Nealis if not drafted or other Maryland product John Stertzer. If they are taken Kemp can be an alternative to Nealis and potentially may have a greater long-term upside.
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18. Montreal - Ashton Bennett, F, Coastal Carolina
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Bennett is an interesting player in this draft. His age will scare teams because he might not have the long-term potential as other players but he could also be the most useful draft pick in 2012. Montreal who is trying to win now will like this option and hope he can provide them some goals next season.
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19. LA Galaxy - Ryan Hollingshead, M, UCLA
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The Galaxy are used to drafting late and has a history in drafting players who fill roles oppose to talent. Already signing Zardes as a homegrown player, Hollingshead could provide the less flair option filling in a role as either a forward, midfielder or winger.
SECOND ROUND
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20. FC Dallas - Blake Smith, M, New Mexico
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Already drafting a striker in the first round and not many defensive options left Smith could provide FC Dallas further depth in midfield. Dallas may choose to take a more defensive minded midfielder although they might find Smith offensive output intriguing.
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21. New England - Kyle Bekker, M, Boston College
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If still available Bekker who played in college locally is a good fit for the Revolution. Bekker can provide midfield depth and can play without the pressure that he would have if drafted by a Canadian team earlier in the draft.
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22. New York - Scott Goodwin, GK, North Carolina
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The Red Bulls tend to ignore the draft only having one pick in the last seasons draft as well. Last year they drafted a Goalkeeper who before injured played well and Goodwin could provide further depth at this position and maybe the eventual starter.
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23. New England - Chris Thomas, F, Elon
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Based on his college output, Thomas could be the steal of the draft although he doesn't provide the hype or predictability of players I project drafted before him. If drafted by New England he could also be given more opportunities as part of the Revs rebuilding process.
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24. LA Galaxy - Erik Hurtado, F, Santa Clara
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If Portland had a pick I would see Hurtado being drafted by them. Otherwise he doesn't have a natural fit in this draft but based on his college output and the fact he can play the wing he could fit the Galaxy system quite well.
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25. Colorado - Devon Sandoval, F, New Mexico
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Colorado will continue rebuilding their forward option drafting Sandoval with their second pick. Like Finley, Sandoval is a proven college talent and his size will provide Colorado additional options in terms of generating goals.
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26. Philadelphia - Ian Christianson, M, Georgetown
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Christianson was the team leader at Georgetown can provide depth in the Midfield at an MLS level. Depth is something Philadelphia needs although if they choose to go less safe they may go off the board and take Don Anding for his speed.
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27. Montreal - Tommy Muller, D, Georgetown
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Muller lacks size but plays with maturity. If Montreal drafts Zavaleta with their first pick they could concentrate on Zavaleta offensive potential and use Muller or draft Zavaleta college teammate Caleb Konstanski in the role of defender.
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28. Columbus - Luke Spencer, F, Xavier
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Even though I have Columbus drafting a forward with their first pick in Johnson, Spencer could relieve some of the pressure that will be put on Johnson. If not Spencer, Columbus could go off the board taking defenders Shaun Foster, Muller and Konstanski or goalkeepers David Meves and James Belshaw.
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29. Philadelphia - Dylan Remick, D, Brown
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Remick would be an off the board pick as he wasn't invited to the combine he will also be listed as a Foreign player. That being said Remick has good size and leadership. Foster, Muller or Konstanski would provide a similar option or as mention before the Union could also take Anding with this pick.
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30. Colorado - Andrew Ribeiro, M, Creighton
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Already drafting two forwards, I can't imagine them taking a third even though Bates and Welshman are still available. Andrew Ribeiro fits the role of an experienced college player who can provide additional depth and should fit in a club that likes to give college players opportunities.
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31. Salt Lake - Will Bates, F, Virginia
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Of the players left in the draft Bates and Cochrane and probably the most MLS ready. Bates would provide Salt Lake forward depth although they may go off the board taking a non-combine invitee or goalkeeper.
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32. Montreal - Paolo Del Piccolo, M, Louisville
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There is some concern in terms of what Del Piccolo will be as a MLS player although some scouts have said he may be capable of playing a more European style of game. This skill set should fit in a Montreal side that are leaning more to this direction of play.
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33. San Jose - Emery Welshman, F, Oregon State
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San Jose will probably be willing to take some risks over depth with these later picks. Welshman has good speed and may be of interest to San Jose since the Canadian played his last two college seasons on the West Coast. Adam Jahn might be another option.
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34. San Jose - Machael David, M, UC Santa Barbara
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Off the board in many ways David is one of those players who could still prove heís useful or be cut soon after drafted. At 24, David should have the experience to fit in a successful club and be happy with the role he may be given.
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35. Seattle - Ben Fisk, M, Washington
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Again I have Seattle taking the West Cost option drafting Tucker-Gangnes Washington teammate Ben Fisk. Fisk has the ability to be both a defender or a midfielder although a better midfield options might be Santa Barbara's Dion Acoff.
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36. New England - David Meves, GK, Akron
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I already have New England drafting a defender, midfielder and forward so drafting a Goalkeeper would provide the Revs extra depth in all positions. Goalkeeping class is deep and Meves has the highest profile but they also could take Belshaw, Luis Soffner or Jordan Godsey.
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37. Houston - Greg Cochrane, D, Louisville
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As mention before it looks going into the 2013 season Houston greatest need will be in defense. Cochrance provides an option at full back but also has experience in midfield so is the type of useful player Houston likes.
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38. LA Galaxy - Korey Kindle, M, CSU-Bakersfield
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Although at this point LA Galaxy may look at defense, Kindle provides versatility in the midfield and was also a college teammate to Homegrown signing Zardes which might help the top rookie prospect of 2013 fit in better.
Aaron Nielsen has worked within the soccer/sports industry for over 15 years. His statistical analysis brings the beautiful game in a whole new light. The detailed player data and prospect lists he produces are used by many scouts, agents, and football insiders around the world.
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