The 2009 SuperDraft is deep and the top prospects are deliciously juicy. That's the consensus, which has Thursday's scene in St. Louis revving in the red on the meter of importance. As a tool for roster-stocking, it seems to rate well ahead of last year's slightly depressed field.
Here's what each club might be looking to collect as the process plays out in the nation's heartland.
Chicago: The Fire do not have a first-round pick, a result of the deal struck with Toronto FC that brought Brian McBride to Toyota Park. So, manager Denis Hamlett and technical director Frank Klopas won't select until late in the second round (No. 28 overall) unless they trade to move up.
When they do pick, with Lider Marmol's recent release and with Wilman Conde's place on the roster still tenuous, the Fire could use some cover at center back. That's fortunate, because this draft is particularly plump in defenders.
The name-brand defenders, such as Omar Gonzalez, are probably out of reach without a trade. But Santa Clara's Babajide Ogunbiyi or Notre Dame's Matt Besler are talented defenders who might still be available.
Chivas USA: Four years ago, Chivas made Brad Guzan the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. It was chancy, as netminders rarely make such high draft targets. Still, look how well that turned out for the Red-and-White.
Now Dan Kennedy is in charge, but Preki's team may be looking to upgrade at the position. Cal's Stefan Frei will likely be gone when Chivas pick at No. 9 overall. But Massachusetts' Zack Simmons, the Atlantic 10's Defensive Player of the Year, has the look of a fellow ready to step onto an MLS pitch immediately. University of Illinois-Chicago's Jovan Bubonja or Boston College's Chris Brown also could be targets.
With Sacha Kljestan sure to draw increasing interest from overseas, Preki may also be thinking about adding a creative influence. Illinois-Chicago's Baggio Husidic or UCLA's Michael Stephens seem to be the top playmakers available. Husidic is probably more attractive if only because of his Generation adidas status.
Colorado: Paul Bravo has barely had time to locate the break room at his new office inside Dick's Sporting Goods Park, but he's about to help in some very big decisions. The former Galaxy technical director made the move east last week, now the Rapids' director of soccer.
Bravo and manager Gary Smith won't have a decision to make until early in the second round, at No. 20 overall. The may be in the same markets as Chivas USA, looking for goalkeepers or playmakers. If Stephens or Husidic aren't available (and they probably won't last that far), then the pickings get slim at attacking midfielder.
As for goalkeepers, St. John's Neal Kitson, who was so impressive during the NCAA College Cup last month, could still be around when the Rapids finally get to choose. Or, Akron's Evan Bush or Loyola's Milos Kocic could find their way to Commerce City.
Columbus: If Crew officials have designs on making selections poised to have immediate impact, then they'll have to be flexible and go into Thursday's draft armed with responses for any number of developing scenarios. That's because they don't have a pick until No. 30 overall.
So Crew technical director Brian Bliss and new manager Robert Warzycha won't have much to do early in the proceedings unless they do swing a deal during the abundant wheeling and dealing that rages annually on draft's eve.
Re-signing defender Chad Marshall, with Andy Iro still in reserve, certainly takes one potential need off the table. So, depth at striker and outside fullback appear to be the top requirements.
As for Warzycha, he may not have grown up around the college system but he certainly knows plenty about it by now. Warzycha spent seven seasons as an assistant after retiring as a player in 2002.
D.C. United: United haven't had much to say about the early stages of the draft lately; Manager Tom Soehn and general manager Dave Kasper made their first selection at No. 24 overall last year, and at No. 11 overall in 2007. So this year's initial selections, Nos. 6 and 7 overall, must seem fairly exciting to fans and officials around RFK.
The roster situation where defense is concerned is finally clearing, which should help settle the draft-day priorities. The club just announced the re-signing of defender Marc Burch, while reports circulate that center back Gonzalo Peralta will not return.
Either way, Kasper says United will grab the best player, regardless of his position.
Although right back Bryan Namoff just re-upped with a new contract, left back is still something of a trouble spot, so outside fullbacks could be atop the wish list. That means Maryland's Rodney Wallace or Indiana's Kevin Alston could land at RFK.
FC Dallas: Manager Schellas Hyndman has been quite clear on his offseason priorities. He needs a left back, a left midfielder, a playmaker and potentially another striker, depending on Kenny Cooper's status.
Dave van den Bergh's arrival in Texas seems to fill the hole on the left flank. If Hyndman wants cover there, Jeremy Hall might be too attractive to pass with the fifth pick (assuming Maryland's Generation adidas product is still around.) If the Hoops are looking for a left midfielder later, Liberty College's Josh Boateng could be the choice, as he has made an impression during the combine.
Otherwise, if Alston or Wallace remains available, one of them could hear his name called. Hyndman and Co. have lots of options all around, with two picks among the first 14 selections (Nos. 5 and 14) and an exchange of picks was included in the van den Bergh deal.
Kansas City: The Wizards need help along the flanks, and that's one spot that can often be filled through the draft. Maryland's Jeremy Hall or fellow Generation adidas signing Danny Cruz could fit well if one of them remains available at Kansas City's No. 8 overall selection.
Further in the draft, Wake Forest's Michael Lahoud, who can play centrally or on the flank, is another possibility. And Cal-Santa Barbara's Chris Pontius was a left midfielder before being moved to forward his senior season. On the right, Saint Louis' Kyle Patterson had a nice combine, by all reports.
Houston: The Dynamo won't be much of a player in the draft, with its initial pick at No. 40 overall. Then again, Houston's depth does provide some trade options if manager Dominic Kinnear settles on a draft-day target and wants to move up in the order to pursue him.
As the draft is deep at goalkeeper, the Dynamo certainly need to start thinking about grooming a replacement. Pat Onstad looked just fine in 2008. But the man is 41 now and isn't going to last forever. St. John's Kitson certainly has ability, but his size (6 feet) could scare some teams. So there's a chance Kitson slips and remains available when Houston finally joins the fray. If not, Loyola's Kocic, Cal State Northridge's Kevin Guppy or Dartmouth's Sean Milligan could still be available.
LA Galaxy: If there was ever a scenario ripe for the philosophy of taking "the best talent available," this is it. That is to say, the Galaxy need help across the board.
Bruce Arena's team needs the most help at goalkeeper, all along the back line and at defensive midfielder. Obviously, those Generation adidas signings, whose salaries don't count against the cap, are going to look most attractive as the Galaxy make their selection at No. 3 overall. (And Arena had better make it count, because the Galaxy won't choose again until the third round, at No. 33 overall.)
If one of Maryland's touted Generation adidas defenders, Wallace or Gonzalez, is available, they could easily be the choice.
New England: Steve Nicol will once again look to perform some draft wizardry, this time from the No. 10 spot. Picking from the back of the first-round pack hasn't prevented the Revs' manager from landing terrific picks before, and there's no reason why he can't do the same Thursday, considering the depth of the 2009 class.
"Defense" is likely to be the order of the day around Camp Revs, as Michael Parkhurst's departure and two other starting fullbacks now in their 30s (Jay Heaps is 32 and Chris Albright turns 30 a day before the draft) makes it time to start re-stocking. If Indiana's Alston falls to New England's spot, he could be tough to pass up. Otherwise, South Florida's Yohance Marshall could be the choice.
Eventually, the ageless Steve Ralston will start to decline. Well, maybe he will. At any rate, the Revs also have the final first-round selection (No. 15 overall) and could consider a playmaker. Or, if they want to stay with defense, Saint Louis' Calum Angus might be an enticing late first-round pick.
New York Red Bulls: You get the feeling that Red Bulls manager Juan Carlos Osorio is more comfortable mining the foreign market than plucking college kids from the U.S. system. Either way, the Red Bulls' first selection falls in at No. 11. Their numbers are down in the back; they just re-signed Carlos Mendes but have lost Jeff Parke and Diego Jimenez in the offseason.
The Bulls could also use some depth in midfield. So, Indiana's Brad Ring, a deep-lying central presence, or Creighton's Andrei Gotsmanov could fit the need.
Graham Zusi is a name for Red Bulls fans to watch, too, as Osorio seems to appreciate versatility. Maryland's College Cup MVP played as an attacking midfielder in his final collegiate season. But he looks more like a second forward, or even a fellow who could make a smooth transition to a wide midfield spot. His shot from range, combined with good leadership skills and an ever-composed manner, look pretty attractive.
Real Salt Lake: Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis and GM Garth Lagerwey rescued the team from doormat status by building from the back. The defense looks capable now, and the attack has some good, young pieces. What the Lakers are missing now is a true holding presence in midfield -- Kyle Beckerman is a talent, to be sure, but a bit of a 'tweener.
Cronin might still be available when Real Salt Lake is up with the 12th pick overall. He isn't a true defensive midfielder, but rather a well-regarded two-way man. While they already have one of those in Beckerman, it could be hard to pass if the Wake Forest product falls that far. (As since there are nine Generation adidas products ahead of him, that's not entirely impossible.) Otherwise, Indiana's Ring could be the choice, if RSL goes for a prototype holding midfielder.
San Jose: Frank Yallop built around defense last year, and don't be surprised if the Earthquakes' manager reckons that further betterment along the back line is the way forward into the 2009 playoffs.
Of course, another good-two way midfielder could also improve the product at Buck Shaw. Lynn College's Jean Alexandre, a real enforcement presence at the combine, could be around when the Earthquakes make their initial pick at No. 17 (the second selection of the second round.)
Seattle: The Sounders pick first, and Steve Zakuani is the name everyone is hearing as (potentially) the next MLS No. 1 pick. Of course, we've all been wrong before. Remember, at this time last year Eric Avila and Julius James were the most-often floated names to be called No. 1. Avila fell all the way to No. 17. James was taken in the ninth spot. So, bet on Zakuani at your own peril.
Then again, don't be surprised if Sigi Schmid sends the No. 1 pick elsewhere, adding an extra early selection to the Sounders' list of assets. With only 15 players currently on roster, it could serve Schmid well to utilize two good picks instead of one great one.
Toronto FC: With apologies to Seattle and its top overall pick, the men from Canada rule this draft. The Reds have a sweet setup in the first round, picking second, fourth and 13th. Trades that sent Ronnie O'Brien to San Jose and Brian McBride's rights to Chicago helped set such a swell stage.
TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston isn't averse to draft-day maneuvers. With two early selections the temptation may be overwhelming to package up one of those picks with some other asset and move into the top spot. (Johnston did something similar in 2006 when he was in charge at New York, packaging the No. 5 overall pick and Jason Hernandez, acquiring the first pick and using it to take Marvell Wynne.)
What if Johnston and manager John Carver keep the picks? Zakuani, Frei, Alston, Cronin, Gonzalez and Stephens all seem to be in play. About the only position TFC is likely to avoid is at playmaker, as Amado Guevara and Dwayne De Rosario have that area covered.
