Major League Soccer pundits are largely split over what Sounders FC will do with the No. 15 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, leaving plenty of ambiguity with less than 24 hours before the Sounders make their pick.
Head coach Sigi Schmid didn’t tip his hat either way late last week, saying that all options are on the table with the No. 15 pick, including a potential trade to grab some allocation money or other considerations.
But if the Sounders keep the pick, who will they take? Here’s a rundown of what some of the league’s experts predicting as the Sounders’ choice on Thursday.
Polk struggled on Day 1 of the Combine while playing as a true No. 9, then fared better on Day 2 as he spent more time on the wing.
It's not 100-percent clear what he'll be in MLS (he actually was a No. 9 in college), but versatility isn't a bad thing -- especially for a team that seems to be considering a switch away from the 4-4-2 to something that looks more like a 4-3-3.
The Sounders have some needs for depth in defensive midfield, central defense and at left back, but having a chance to grab a Generation adidas player and the clear-cut top goalkeeping prospect in the draft pool will prove too much to pass up. If not, the Sounders could grab a Tony Alfaro or Cole Seiler.
Sounders need CM depth. The team knows him. Christian Roldan, a likely partner in USOC play and for depth, knows him well from playing together at UW. He fits the role of either Ozzie Alonso or the more offensive CM in the Sounders midfield or can play in a trio. He's a good player who should blossom and get minutes on this roster. Teammate Josh Heard could follow in round three.
Zachary Carroll, D (Michigan State)
If University of Washington product James Moberg is available, I expect Seattle to scoop him up to bolster midfield depth. If not, grabbing the highest-rated defender still on the board makes sense. Most of the Sounders back line either has injury question marks or is unproven at the MLS level. Adding some extra competition for spots could help.
