SuperDraft Preview

The Sounders FC are set to pick 11th in Thursdays SuperDraft, Matt Gaschk takes a look at the top players entering the draft. (Photo Courtesy of Dennis Wolverton)

2010 SuperDraft Holds Many Possibilities For Sounders FC; Seattle has three picks in the annual collegiate draft, beginning with the No. 11 pick on Thursday

This year’s MLS SuperDraft has a much different feel for the Sounders FC than last year, when they picked Steve Zakuani first overall.

With the 11th overall pick in the first round, there are many more possibilities for who may don the Seattle scarf at the podium in Philadelphia on Thursday when the Sounders make their pick.

So I rummaged through several of the mock drafts and took a look at some of the top players at each position for the 2010 SuperDraft.

Goalkeepers

Jovan Bubonja – Sr. Illinois-Chicago, 6-2, 200.  39 shutouts in 83 career games over four years for the Serbian keeper.

Sean Johnson – Jr. Central Florida, 6-4, 220.  US U-20 goalkeeper is also Generation adidas after improving in each of his three years at Central Florida.

Brian Perk – Sr. UCLA, 5-11, 175.  16 shutouts over 61 games with UCLA over four years.

Defenders

Phil Edginton – Sr. Louisville, 6-3, 190. New Zealand U-20 National Teamer earned co-defensive player of the year honors in the Big East in 2009.

Zac Herold – U-17 Residency Program.  Generation adidas defender.

Ike Opara (pictured right) – Jr. Wake Forest, 6-2, 180.  Nine goals and three assists in 65 games over three years at Wake Forest.  Two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year.  Semi-finalist for the MAC Hermann trophy for top college player.
College teammate of Evan Brown.

Zach Lloyd – Sr. North Carolina, 5-9, 160. Helped UNC to a defense that only once allowed 2 goals all season in 2009.  Semifinalist for MAC Hermann trophy.  Outside back/midfielder until moving to center back for the injury plagued Tar Heels.

Ofori Sarkodie – Sr. Indiana, 5-10, 178.  Solid for Indiana defense.  2005 NSCAA/adidas National Youth Player of the Year.  Third-team academic All-American.

Chris Schuler – Sr. Creighton, 6-4, 185. Five goals and four assists in 76 games in four years for the Blue Jays after a transfer from Indiana.  Anchored Crieghton defense and was three-time all-MVC first team.

Kwame Watson-Siriboe – Sr. Connecticut, 6-3, 196. 2009 Big East co-defensive player of the year.

Midfielders

Corben Bone – Jr. Wake Forest, 5-9, 160. MAC Hermann trophy finalist and 2-time All-American.  15 goals and 38 assists in 68 games over three years.  Generation adidas midfielder.  2006 NSCAA Player of the Year.

Austin da Luz – Sr. Wake Forest, 5-10, 160. 13 goals and 39 assists over 80 games in four years for Demon Deacons, including 6 goals and 15 assists in senior season.

Dilly Duka – US U-20, 5-9, 160.  Played two seasons at Rutgers before leaving for US U-20 team for the U-20 World Cup.  Attempt to sign with New York Red Bulls prior to the draft was rejected by MLS.  Generation adidas midfielder.

Blair Gavin – Jr. Akron, 6-0, 160.  Generation adidas midfielder.  Scored five goals and three assists in junior season.

Kyle Nakazawa – Sr. UCLA, 5-11, 165. Led Bruins with 12 goals and seven assists as a senior after his junior season was cut short with a back injury.

Amobi Okugo – Fr. UCLA, 6-0, 175. Mainstay with US National Teams at U-20 and U-17 levels.  Two-time HS All-American was Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.  Generation adidas midfielder.

Toni Stahl – Sr. Connecticut, 6-3, 180.  Finland-native earned All Big East first team honors for three years.

Michael Stephens – Sr. UCLA, 5-9, 155.  11 goals and 20 assists in 81 games over four years with the Bruins.

Tony Tchani – So. Virginia, 6-4, 185.  17 goals and seven assists in 37 games over two seasons with the Cavaliers.  All-American led Virginia to 2009 NCAA title.  Generation adidas midfielder.

Forwards