Dane Richards…How Do We Find Another?

Red Bull NY had a good draft in 2007 despite not having a first round pick. NY traded their first round pick to Colorado for Jean Philippe Peguero who was later sold, so they got a little allocation money for the first round pick. Colorado drafted Nico Colaluca who hasn’t done much yet, so in my opinion the trade worked out for NY. In the second round NY drafted Dane Richards, the speedy winger who worked his way up through Junior College to Clemson and then to MLS.

One of the best rookies of 2007 was still in the draft pool by the time NY selected with the 19th pick. The Rapids took Greg Dalby, a guy who already told the league he wouldn’t sign their contract because it was too low a salary, ahead of Richards. Colorado took one measured risk and NY took a different one. NY’s risk was that the young player would be slapped with a Senior International tag once he turns 25. Since MLS teams only get 4 SI’s and 3 YI’s they are valuable. I’d say NY did the right thing.

How did they know Richards would be successful in MLS? Naturally they couldn’t be sure but I’d say that his national team experience would be a good indicator. Richards grew up in Jamaica and has been capped four times by the Reggae Boyz. His first cap came in 2002 at the age of 18. Richards went on to score 68 goals between San Jacinto Junior College and Clemson. Another call up to the Reggae Boyz for Richards was announced today. His career is certainly off and running.

MLS coaches, here is a recipe for success in the future based on Dane Richards and NY: Look for college kids in the draft who have been identified as quality by their home country’s national program. Below are some kids coming up through the college ranks who have been playing for their home country’s youth/senior national teams who are now starring in American college soccer:

Greg King – FR – D – Uconn – The freshman defender has started 19 matches for UConn during this great run through 2007. He’s played for the Aussie U-20 team.

Adam Lang – SO – D – Washington – The defender has worked his way into the Huskies defense and has helped Washington compile 7 shutouts in 2007.

Tomislav Barisic – SO – F – Rutgers – The young Croatian started his career with his nation’s youth national team set up. This season at Rutgers he is the leading scorer with five goals while only starting 56% of the games he’s played in. Highly skilled on the ball.

Shaun Taylor – SO – F – Boston University – The 6’ 3” forward from England has represented the three lions at the U-18 level. This season his is second on the BU scorers chart with five goals and two assists.

Michael Boxall – FR – D – UCSB – Played for native New Zealand at the FIFA U-20 World Cup this past summer. He’s also already been capped at the senior level for New Zealand. He’ll make sure Andy Iro won’t be missed too much next season. This season he stepped right into the defending national champ’s lineup starting 10 games in the back.

O’Brian White – JR – F – Uconn – Has played at every level for the young Reggae Boyz and grew up in Canada. The talented forward has size and speed on his size and will be a top pick in MLS should he earn a Generation Adidas contract. He’s had a great season at UConn scoring 41 points.

Julius James – SR – D – Uconn – The talented back has played for the Trinidad and Tobago U-17 team and has stared in his senior season as the Huskies have dominated the Big East. Will certainly be a solid pick for any MLS side but could face the same fate as Richards due to his international status.

Bernardo Anor – FR – F – South Florida – The talented attacker from Venezuela has played for the up and coming nation’s U-20 team. He’s worked his way into the starting lineup at USF and scored 7 goals and made 2 assists.

MLS coaches need to be more welcoming to young international players, especially as the American pool is further tapped with more MLS expansion as we discussed yesterday. Perhaps MLS needs to make a new player category for American college players not born in the US. Teams can have a total of 7 internationals (4 senior/3 youth) and need to embrace these roster spots. Instead of bringing in high priced internationals who are getting old and are over the hill, MLS coaches should be investing in the above youngsters who have tons of potential and strong national team training behind them.