ST. LOUIS -- New England and Colorado started the day with a SuperDraft-high seven picks. The similarities between the two teams end there.
New England had two first-round picks and benefited from a player who slipped down the draft board and an MLS Player Combine standout, while Colorado became proactive in the second round and made one of the few trades on the day to acquire the rights to an accomplished veteran.
Kevin Alston wasn't supposed to be there when the Revs selected at No. 10. Other teams higher up the draft order were expected to grab the speedy Generation adidas fullback out of Maryland, but he ended up falling into the Revolution's lap.
"To be truthful, we didn't expect for him to be there," Revs boss Steve Nicol said. "I like defenders to be able to defend first and foremost. He can do that. We'll see more of him when he comes into camp and what he can do down the other end of the field."
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Alston said he was pleased to land with a veteran team that could help him improve once he joined the team for training camp.
"I look forward to learning a lot from all of these veteran players that they have," Alston said. "It's a great squad in general."
With their second first-round pick, the Revs opted for Tampa midfielder Ryan Maxwell. The speedy winger impressed the Revolution coaching staff with his performance at the MLS Player Combine.
"The Combine has a lot to do with it," Maxwell said by phone from Florida. "I play at a Division II school and coaches don't see me."
From what he did see, Nicol thinks Maxwell has a chance to be a good addition to the Revs' roster.
"In Maxwell, we have a guy who we think can surprise a few people," Nicol said.
Colorado didn't have the benefit of having two first-round picks. The Rapids were originally scheduled to join the SuperDraft with the 20th pick, but a trade with Chicago slid them further down the draft board.
The price was worth it. By swapping picks and sending allocation money to Chicago, the Rapids gained the rights to former Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens. Pickens is expected to sign with Colorado after spending time in England with Queens' Park Rangers.
"I would go almost as far to say that we've got the deal of the day today," Rapids manager Gary Smith said.
Colorado needed to go out and get a goalkeeper after Bouna Coundoul recently rejected a "fantastic" contract offer from the team, Smith said.
"We've decided to cover ourselves," Smith said. "In doing that, we've got ourselves a fantastic goalkeeper. He's in a fantastic position to step into our first team. He fulfills all the criteria."
Without the picks in the upper reaches of the first round, Smith said his team focused on bringing in players who could help them compete as the team continues to improve.
"We're excited," Smith said. "We're slowly but surely piecing together a group of players that will give everyone a run for their money."
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