Draft Junkies, It Is Time…

College Cup is over, visions of sugar plums are done dancing in everyone’s heads, what else is there to do but a mock draft? I know, I know…how can one handle the pressure, the madness? I’ll try my friends, for you. This will be the first round only, I'm not going into multi-rounds. However, I think our new contributor has something bigger up his sleeve...or at least the entire FCTP team should be able to come up with something down the road.

I’m going to do this with the current combine invitees, the additional player I’ve heard will be invited to the combine and 3rd Degree’s GA tracking list (only the orange firm rumors will be used). If Buzz has heard a player is going pro, he’s in my list…if he’s heard the player is staying in school, he’s out.

Let’s start by getting the order down. I’ll rely on Buzz again for that. In this draft I’m going to draft players based on a team’s current need in my opinion. I am sure there will be many out there who disagree, but this is my blog…get your own…or comment below.

First Round…and they’re off!

#1 – San Jose – Eric Avila - M – UCSB: San Jose needs help all over being an expansion team and all. If they can keep the salary low through Generation Adidas (GA) draft picks (salary doesn’t count against the cap), they certainly will. In Avila they not only get a GA player but someone being touted as one of the most talented college soccer players in years. Avila helped UCSB win the national title last year.
Honors: 2004 ESP All*Star, 2005 StudentSportsSoccer.com #6 top prospect, 2005 2nd All-Freshman Team, US U-17 Team, 2006 CSN 3rd Team All-American, 2006 NSCAA/adidas All-America Team 2nd Team, 2006 First Team All-Big West, 2006 All-College Cup, 2006 First Team All-Far West, 2007 CSN 1st Pre-Season 1st Team All-American, 2007 Preseason All-American (MajorLeagueSoccer Magazine), 2007 Preseason All-American (Soccer America), H8292007 MAC pre-season Hermann Trophy watch, 2008 US U-23

#2 – FC Dallas – Joe Lapira - F – Notre Dame: Lapria had an off season in 2007 after a stellar year in 2006. On the other hand, 9g 10a is a strong season for many other college forwards. Dallas is always this close to success and something derails them. I think back up for the hot/cold Carlos Ruiz could be just what the Dr. ordered, especially if Dallas pulls the trigger on a trade sending Ruiz out of Big D. Hard work and good coaching could turn Lapira into another Taylor Twellman.
Honors: 2004 Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year, 2006 CSN POTW (3), 2006 SA POTW (2), 2006 Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, 2006 Hermann Trophy Final 3, 2006 Big East All-Conference, 2006 Big East Offensive POTY, 2006 MAC Hermann Trophy Winner, 2006 CSN 1st Team All-American, 2006 NSCAA/adidas All-America Team 1st Team, 2006 SA MVP, , 2007 CSN 1st Team All-American2006 SA POTY, 2007 CSN 1st Pre-Season 1st Team All-American, 2007 MAC pre-season Hermann Trophy watch, 2006 Big East All-Conference, 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-America 1st Team

#3 – Real Salt Lake - Julius James - D – Uconn: With the change of rules regarding international players kids like James will move up in the draft order. James is athletic, smart, technical and knows how to play the game. He’ll be able to step in and improve a team with a -14 goal differential. The All-American in college helped get UConn through a near perfect season and his national team experience with Trinidad and Tobago is a big plus.
Honors: Trinidad and Tobago U-17, 2005 2nd Team All-American, 2004 1st All-Freshman Team, 2006 CSN 1st Team Pre-Season All American, 2006 pre-season Herman Watch, 2006 Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, 2006 Big East All-Conference, 2006 Big East Defensive POTY, 2006 CSN 1st Team All-American, 2006 NSCAA/adidas All-America Team 1st Team, 2007 CSN 1st Pre-Season 1st Team All-American, 2007 MAC pre-season Hermann Trophy watch, 2007 TDS 1st Team TOS, 2007 NSCAA 1st team All-American, 2007 CSN 1st Team All-American, 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-America 1st Team

#4 – Los Angeles – Ciaran O’Brien - M – UCSB: LA has all sorts of salary cap issues with Beckham, Donovan, Cannon and co. Hopefully, Cobi has been able to get his head around how the salary cap works to help guide Mr. Sexy towards a high potential GA player in the first round. In O’Brien LA will get a hard working, talented 20 year old who can learn a lot from Becks. I don’t know if this will help the Gals much in 2008, but they can’t take a chance on a full salary player at this point in the draft.
Honors: 2004 - 2005 ESP, 2005 ESP All*Star, 2005 NSCAA/adidas Boys Youth All-America Team, 2006 CSN 100 Freshman to Watch, 2006 CSN 2nd All-Freshman Team, 2006 SA Freshman of the year 2nd team, 2006 NSCAA Freshman All-America, 2007 All PDL Team, 2006 Big East All-Conference, 2007 CSN 3rd Team All-American

#5 – Colorado – Michael Videira - M – Duke: Videira was one of the most consistent performers throughout his college career. He’s a strong midfielder with plenty of on the ball skills. Colorado needs someone who can steady the midfield and link between defense and attack. Videira may be able to help, and quick. Most think he’ll be able to play in his rookie season and Colorado should have plenty of opportunity. He should be ready for the quick pace of the pro game.
Honors: 2003 Parade and McDonald’s All-America teams, 2003 U.S. U-18 and U-20 National Teams, 2004 1st All-Freshman Team, 2005 semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, 2006 CSN 1st Team Pre-Season All American, 2006 pre-season Herman Watch, 2006 Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, 2006 ACC All-Conference, 2006 CSN 1st Team All-American, 2006 NSCAA/adidas All-America Team 3rd Team, 2006 SA MVP, 2007 CSN 1st Pre-Season 1st Team All-American, 2007 MAC pre-season Hermann Trophy watch, 2007 TDS 2nd Team TOS, 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-America 3rd Team

#6 – Columbus – Andy Iro - D – UCSB: There is still the chance that Iro will leave the US for England, but unlike countryman Andy Wright who signed with a club back home in Jolly Old England, Iro is considering an American professional career to go with his college education. Iro is a player of great size however he has some rough edges. I’m betting MLS coaches will see the size and will hope to train him on the professional game.
Honors: 2005 3rd Team All-American, 2004 1st All-Freshman Team, 2006 CSN 1st Team Pre-Season All American, 2006 pre-season Herman Watch, 2006 CSN 1st Team All-American, 2006 NSCAA/adidas All-America Team 2nd Team, 2006 SA MVP, 2007 CSN 1st Pre-Season 1st Team All-American, 2007 MAC pre-season Hermann Trophy watch, 2007 TDS 2nd Team TOS, 2007 CSN 1st Team All-American, 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-America 2nd Team

#7 – Chicago – Andrew Jacobson – M – California: Blanco needs an understudy, right? Jacobson has a lot of admires around the country but you can’t count me amongst them. I saw him play live during the NCAA tourney against UC Davis and he was unspectacular. However, I think he’s showed enough quality in other matches to garner a first round selection.
Honors: 2007 TDS 1st Team TOS, 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-America 1st Team, 2007 CSN 3rd Team All-American

#8 – FC Dallas - Brek Shea – High School –Texans: Dallas has enough strength on the squad to support a young prospect. I don’t know a lot about Brek but if the kid can live at home while learning the rigors of the professional game it should help his adjustment. This is a long term project but GA status will keep him from messing up the Hoops’ salary budget.
Honors: 2007 US U-17 Fall Residency, 2007 US U-18, 2007 NSCAA/adidas Boys Youth All-America Team

#9 – FC Toronto – Pat Phelan – D/M – Wake Forest: The young national champion should be a great addition to any MLS team, however I think FC Toronto could use his versatility best. Phelan is experienced playing as a midfield destroyer and center back. He could learn a lot from last year’s #1 selection Maurice Edu and then help fill in for him while away on national team duty. If the midfield is too crowed, he could help solidify a sometimes shaky backline.
Honors: 2002 - 2003 ESP, 2004 2nd All-Freshman Team, 2007 NSCAA 1st team All-American, 2007 CSN 2nd Team All-American, 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-America 1st Team, 2008 US U-23

#10 – Real Salt Lake - Stephen King - M - Maryland: King is an iron man; he played in all of his college games over four years. RSL needs that mentality in their final season on the fake pitch. King should be able to learn the professional pace from league veteran Kyle Beckerman. The biggest knock against him is his size, but that didn’t stop RSL from taking Seth Trembly from the Rapids.
Honors: US U-15 & U-16 Teams, 2003 ESP, 2004 2nd All-Freshman Team, 2006 pre-season Herman Watch, 2006 CSN POTW, 2006 Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, 2007 CSN 1st Pre-Season 1st Team All-American, 2007 MAC pre-season Hermann Trophy watch, 2007 CSN POTW, 2007 TDS 1st Team TOS, 2007 CSN 1st Team All-American, 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-America 3rd Team, 2008 US U-23


#11 – Kansas City - Andre Sherard - D – UNC: Sherard is not the tallest center back but he knows how to play the game and positions well. Remind you of Michael Parkhurst? He’s also very athletic. Kansas City needs to back up Jimmy Conrad and Nick Garcia, in addition to thinking of the day those two lose a step or three. Sherard may be able to move to fullback if needed.
Honors: 2006 PDL TOTW (1), 2006 CSN 2nd Team Pre-Season All American, 2006 ACC All-Conference, 2007 CSN Pre-Season 2nd Team All-American, 2007 MAC pre-season Hermann Trophy watch

#12 – Chicago – Adrian Chevannes - D/M/F - SMU: Here is another player who can play all over the field like Chivas USA’s Jonathan Bornstein. He also has a ton of speed, a quality many MLS coaches like. In Chicago he could get some time as a fullback or winger running endlessly down the flanks. The former US Residency player certainly has the pedigree, now he’ll get a chance to show he can be a pro.
Honors: 2002-2003 US U-17 Residency, 2007 TDS 3rd Team TOS


#13 – New England – Xavier Balc - M/F – Ohio State: Word is that we didn’t see the best of Balc at the NCAA Tourney. I think he must have performed well for Ohio State to make the final, but in the final he was not looking like a pro. However, New England coaches know how to scout and find talent and I think they’ll see Balc as a gem. Andy Dorman is out the door and Balc may be able to step into this roll. If not, he will be a good backstop for Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman and Adam Cristman. He has good size and should be able to adapt to the physical MLS game.
Honors: 2002, 2003 NSCAA All-American, 2006 Big Ten All-Conference, 2007 1st Team All Big Ten, 2007 Big Ten POTY, 2007 TDS 1st Team TOS, 2007 TDS POTY, 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-America 1st Team, 2007 CSN 1st Team All-American

#14 – FC Toronto - Brian Edwards - GK – Wake Forest: Toronto showed they need help in the back due to the inconsistent play and injuries to Sutton and Stamatopoulos. Edwards helped keep Wake moving through their near perfect season and to the national championship. He’s got good size and knows how to throw himself in front of a shot. Honors: 2007 TDS 3rd Team TOS, 2007 CSN 1st Team All-American

Remember folks, the 2008 MLS Combine is this weekend, January 11th - 15th. Once the combine is finished, and all the pundits have pondered and posted, we'll get going on some revisions.