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| image from bigdsoccer.com |
Today, all of the projections and predictions meant nothing as the 19 MLS franchises did the best they could with their picks to try and improve their squads.
1.) Andrew Wenger (Duke)-Montreal Impact FC
This season will invite a new team to the league, the Montreal Impact and they had the honor of going first. Now unlike the average fantasy soccer draft with your friends, these decisions can have a lasting impact (no pun intended) and be worth millions of dollars long term. So it's got to be comforting to the fine people of southern Quebec that they made a good choice in Duke University defender/forward Andrew Wenger. I say both positions because he played as a centre-back and centre-forward at Duke. The real questions about him surround inquiries into what his strengths are and where he would fit in best on the pitch. Only time will tell.
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| mlssocer.com |
2.) Darren Mattocks (Akron)-Vancouver Whitecaps FC
The small manufacturing hub of Akron, Ohio, perhaps best known for being the hometown of Lebron James continues to act as the center of the American soccer spectrum this time of year. That is because it is home to the University of Akron Zips, a soccer program that has brought out some of the nation's best young talent in recent years. This year, the trend will continue as Darren Mattocks becomes pro. Mattocks, a Jamaican U-23 international, will offer a huge goalscoring threat as he finished 21 times in 22 games for the Zips last season. |
| whitecapsfc.com |
3.) Kelyn Rowe (UCLA)-New England Revolution
The Revs finished their 2011 campaign with the 3rd fewest goals in MLS. They'll look to turn that around with the addition of Rowe who scored 6 goals and had 10 assists for the team from southern Cal last year. He'll join fellow UCLA alum and US national teamer Benny Feilhaber.
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| photo courtesy: Alexis Fogel |
-Seattle Sounders tried bulking up their defense as they selected Creighton defender Andrew Duran with the 15th overall pick
-defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy also went the defensive route taking Tommy Meyer with their first pick
-Philadelphia Union got a steal with #13, taking Chandler Hoffman from UCLA, a brilliant striker who was initially projected to go in the top 3.
The draft also stood out for its lack of draft day trades, a trend that could reflect more conservative decision making from club offices. One thing is certain though, it will take a bit more agressiveness and boldness than just sitting back to win the coveted MLS Cup.
-twil
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