Posted by

Aaron Nielsen ,

January 21, 2015 Email

Aaron Nielsen



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@ENBSports

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On Tuesday, the final two rounds of the 2015 MLS Draft took place with nowhere close to the attention seen last Thursday. It was out-hyped by a number of stories in the league, from the signing of DP players to a collection of current MLS players caught up in the CBA who were feeling free to express their opinion on social media. The 2015 MLS silly season has been like none other, with everybody willing to take a shot at a league that has a lot of positives, however still with some question marks. Most of the stories coming out are topics that I and many RNO writers referred to over the past few years and without self promoting too much, I would suggest people listen to the last ESSU podcast where Ian Clarke and I talked about many issues regarding Toronto FC and MLS that fit very well foreshadowing this year’s draft.



For me, the biggest story of the 2015 SuperDraft has less to do with the players who were drafted, and instead one who wasn't. Ramon Martin Del Campo is an athletic defender who has been a part of the US National Team U-23 training camp and had tryouts with a team in Mexico. Throughout the 2014 season was regarded highly on most peoples’ draft coverage, including MLSSoccer.com who at a point saw the Montreal Impact drafting him third overall. Fear of losing the American/Mexican to Liga MX, MLS offered him a guaranteed contract, but to the shock of almost everyone, not only was Martin Del Campo not picked in the first round, but not drafted at all.



The issue was a major part of a series I wrote a couple of summers ago on properly developing an MLS side. Although yet to be public, I would speculate the contract given to Campo by MLS does not provide value to an MLS club based on what he will count against the cap, and I would probably do the same if I was a club in passing on him. The situation created one of the first "Club vs League" public conflicts and it also embarrassed many people writing about the draft. This is because based on potential Martin Del Campo should be a first round pick, but he was one of a number of players in the draft who didn't go where expected.



The other, and far more positive story of the draft, is how well Canadian players were representative in the draft with six being drafted, including three from non-Canadian MLS clubs. Cyle Larin went first overall, as I expected, and should be given plenty of room to grow with Orlando City, a new expansion team to the league. Jordan Murrell went 57th overall to Real Salt Lake, hiding the story that Toronto FC didn't pursue a homegrown contract. Janeil Hoilett went 76th overall to FC Dallas and hopefully will duplicate the success of his new teammate Tesho Akindele, although he will likely commit to the Canadian National Team. Contracts are not guaranteed to most who were drafted, however, this opportunity will include an invite to the club's preseason training camp and will give the player a much better chance of making an MLS roster.



The three Canadian teams were also busy combining for 18 picks over the four rounds and while I haven't kept a close eye on all the picks, I do have a familiarity with most and why they were picked. Overall, I would give each team an average grade as none went out of their way to take advantage of the manner the draft was unfolding, but at least for the earlier picks they took players with a purpose.



If I had all control, I would of taken Alex Bono with Montreal's first pick, Leo Stolz with one of Toronto's first round picks and either Boyd Okwuounu or Axel Sjoberg with the Vancouver's 1st pick. I'm also disappointed that no team drafted Canadian Emeka Ononye, who I do feel is a lot better than many players who were taken.



Here is my post-draft assessment on all the Canadian teams picks.



Montreal Impact







Romario Williams - 3rd Overall



If you read my pre-draft top 25 you would know that I'm not a huge believer in Williams, although the fact he is signed to a GA contract means at least he will not cost the Impact any cap room. Williams is an active forward who likes to get involved and can be useful in a pressing situation. He did score 17 goals in 35 games the past two college seasons, however, Central Florida were one of the worst teams in NCAA Division 1 soccer. Williams also joins a list of past draft picks like Jason Johnson and Schillo Tshuma, whose athletic skill haven't translated into MLS success, although with Williams being Jamaican it gives me further indication that MLS is working on ways of accepting more CONCACAF players into the league.



Cameron Porter - 45th Overall



Porter was one of the top goalscorers this NCAA Division 1 season with 15 goals despite not playing in the National Championship Tournament. The Princeton senior was in my preseason list of top 100 prospects, even so he was only a late invite to the combine. He has decent size at 6'1/175 and is a smart player, but I've been told he is too slow for MLS. I could see Porter getting an opportunity with the Impact's USL Pro club FC Montreal, but would be surprised if he became a first team regular.



Cameron Iwasa - 65th Overall



Iwasa was also in my preseason top 100 prospect book and I also had him ahead of Porter. Iwasa plays more of a second-striker or attacking midfielder and his ability to shoot from long range, which is an asset that many players drafted don't have. He was also the leader on an UC Irvine team who made the College Tournament and easily beat UNLV 3-0 and upset Stanford before losing to Providence in the final 16. Like Porter, at best he'll probably be a fringe player and maybe play on the USL Pro club.



Toronto FC







Alex Bono - 6th Overall



If you listen to the last ESSU podcast you would be aware that I thought Toronto FC would pick Bono, however, closer to the draft I thought Montreal might take him. Bono is a professional style of keeper and like Ian Clarke said in the pod, would not be worse than any other keeper in Toronto FC history. I have had concerns regarding Joe Bendik based on the club's record and his personal statistics. However, even if you support Bendik and Toronto FC, you will want Bono to succeed because if Bono and Quillan Roberts are able to be the Reds everyday keepers it would mean great opportunity regarding the club's salary cap.



Clement Simonin - 9th Overall



In many ways Simonin has been the talk of the draft including articles on ESPN. I did have Simonin in my top 100 handbook and was told he is a strong ball playing defender, and while in NCAA Division 2 at Lander was an All-American. The issue with Simonin as an MLS player is he counts as an international slot, so it is difficult for his value to increase. I do feel Toronto drafted not for the first team but as a leader for the TFC2 club, which will be very young. Simonin is also probably on a minimum contract, so he is a better option financially but not the calibre of Leo Stolz or a defender like Boyd Okwuonu.



Skylar Thomas - 11th Overall



In many ways Thomas is the true 9th pick and the second player Toronto wanted in this draft. He was drafted 11th because they knew Sporting KC at number 10 would not take Thomas, but were unsure about Simonin. In analysing the 2014 Syracuse season Thomas impressed me the most, in some ways even more than Alex Bono. When you add that Thomas is Canadian, comes in at 6'3/180, I think this is a very good pick for Toronto and I also feel he has better offensive upside then Doneil Henry. The issue, like Henry, is Thomas can be too active on defense in terms of tackling and coverage which can lead to penalties and disciplinary issues.



Wesley Charpie - 29th Overall



Charpie is a good quality college style full-back in the mold of current TFC player Warren Creavalle. I'm surprised that Toronto drafted a fullback, mostly because they should have had the option of signing Jordan Murrell on a Homegrown contract. I have my concerns for Murrell, but I think he is equal or better than Charpie and this is a question that should be brought up by the press. Toronto lost out on drafting Sagi Lev-Ari at this point, which is another player I think Toronto were interested in.



Edwin Rivas - 37th Overall



The joke comment would be after signing Altidore and Giovinco that TFC doesn't like signing forwards who score, as this past campaign Edwin Rivas went the entire 2014 college season without a goal. In my analysis, I think Toronto FC thought Sagi Lev-Ari would be available at this pick, and when he wasn't they went for his teammate as Cal-State Northridge is a team they potentially scouted. However, the next three picks also tell a story of Greg Vanney's connection to the US Southwest as well, as Toronto FC had a tryout camp in Vegas in December which Rivas, Ramos and Bernal might have attended. Personally, I heard some good things regarding Rivas technical ability, although my instinct is I don't see him as an MLS player.



Michael Ramos - 54th Overall



Ramos has had an interesting soccer career, yet one that doesn't reflect much hope as a pro. After two years of community college he transferred to Seattle in 2010, a very weak Division 1 soccer program where he scored two goals and eventually left the school. He then traveled around Europe trying to find a club with no success. He returned to college in his hometown of Spokane this season at Whitworh University, a school smaller than many high schools. Whitworth were fairly successful and Ramos scored 14 goals and had 12 assists. For players playing at this level I think there were a number of better options, but the smartest move would have been drafting the rights of Robert Kristo, which Columbus did, in case his time in Europe doesn't work out.



Sal Bernal - 70th Overall



I mentioned Bernal in my preview for the NCAA National Championship. He was noted as the leader of an interesting college story where UNLV had regular season success with a roster of mostly Las Vegas-based players. UNLV was brought back down to earth in a 3-0 loss in the 1st Round of the National Tournament, which reflected the weak schedule UNLV played during the season. Bernal was one of the smallest players drafted at 5'7, while similar sized, yet more proven players such as Rickey Garbanzo or Adria Beso, were not and would of been much better options.



Tyler Engel - 81st Overall



Ironically, Engel's profile in college was higher than most of earlier Toronto FC picks, including Simonin, and was ranked higher than others in my top 100 handbook. The issue with Engel is he fits the model of many American soccer players who are ok technically, but are lacking athleticism. Until an MLS club can develop tactics to capitalize on these players most will struggle, including a number of Academy-based players. A scout in the region does like his shooting ability and pace, and Engel could be a very useful TFC2 player if signed.



Vancouver Whitecaps





Tim Parker - 13th Overall



Tim Parker was another player in my top 100 prospect list and was known as a good consistent college player, although there are concerns of him as a pro. While coming in at 6'2/190, Parker doesn't have the athleticism, is a dominant defender of other players in the draft, or other options in MLS. If I was in the Whitecaps’ position I would of tried to trade for Sporting KC’s 10th pick and drafted Skylar Thomas or would of taken Axel Sjoberg who went next in the draft. The one positive thing about Parker is his versatility where he could be an option at holding or defensive midfield.



Kay Banjo - 38th Overall



Kay Banjo was the striker on UMBC’s cinderella team who made the National Championship Final Four. Not a great scorer, Banjo only scored 23 goals in college between Townson and UMBC although is an active forward and also has the ability to hold up the ball. The concern is he fits the model of past draft picks by the Whitecaps who have failed to make an impact at the pro level and I would of rather see the Whitecaps draft more proven college talent at this draft position such as Eric Bird or Dan Metzger as I'm concerned this risky drafting will come back to hurt them over time.



Jovan Blagojevic - 54th Overall



Simon Fraser are becoming one of the top programs at the NCAA Division 2 level. Even though they didn't make it as far as they wanted in the tournament, Canadian Jovan Blagojevic proved to be a good goalscorer at that level with 18 goals in 18 games during his senior season. Blagojevic has played club soccer locally, so I trust the Whitecaps scouting since I have never seen him play. However, I do think the pick is more to build depth for their USL Pro club than having Blagojevic compete for a Whitecaps roster spot.



Adam Montague - 58th Overall



Another forward, Montague is a player I saw live via video on many occasions playing on Jay Chapman's Michigan State side. Montague was in my top 100 prospect handbook, has good size at 6'3/185, and showed good technical skills holding the ball and working with midfielders in controlling the ball. Unfortunately, Montague never became the goalscorer as hoped, with 23 goals in 78 college games including only 5 goals during his senior season. Montague might establish himself at a USL Pro club because I don't think he provides enough for a forward at the MLS level.



Spencer Richey - 61st Overall



No player yo-yo’ed more in the draft then Spencer Richey. He was one of the top goalkeeping prospects for last year’s draft before he broke his leg and missed most of the season. He returned as a Senior redshirt player with Washington this season and looked good in some games and poor in others, although it was expected that Seattle would use a fairly high pick in drafting him. He did perform well at the combine until his team lost 5-0 in the final game with him in net. I think he's a quality pick at this position, but by seasons end I preferred Penn State’s keeper Andrew Wolverton and Marquette's Charlie Lyon who were available.



Craig Nitti - 71st Overall



I feel Nitti is one of the sleepers in the draft, and when I was talking on the ESSU pod, he is an example of a player who has 1st Round potential but drafted much later. Nitti is a beast as a 6'5/210 central defender, and team captain of a lesser known Los Angeles school (outside of previous Basketball success) Loyola Marymount. Nitti also scored 11 goals in 71 games, although there is concern about his stamina and whether can he play the full 90 minutes. I think if Nitti can improve this he will be a key player in USL Pro and potentially play senior games with the Whitecaps.



Nikola Paunic - 74th Overall



I had Paunic in my top 25 players because of the story of him transitioning from TFC Academy to CIS soccer at University of Toronto, to becoming a steady player at the NCAA Division 1 level. I had concerns of him not being picked so I'm happy he did get chosen, even if it was towards the end. I also like that he was drafted by a Canadian club as I do feel he will get a chance to play at least at the USL Pro level. He is a solid player and based on his career so far it seems he has great dedication to the game.