Besagno slated to go first

Playing as a holding midfielder for the most part, the two-time NCAA National Champion won several balls and kept the ball moving for his side that went undefeated during the week. What also helped O'Rourke was the fact that the coaches got to see his strong leadership qualities and how he handled himself off the field. "What a gentleman, too," said one head coach. "I saw him asking his coaches here questions and trying to help those around him, sensing they were nervous and unsettled in the game."

The 23-year-old told me that defensive midfield is a new position for him. He played as a striker for coach Dave Masur the first three years he was in New York, but it's one he feels confident he can play at the next level. One assistant coach said that Salinno was the best-looking holding midfielder of the litter after O'Rourke.

Stock Dropping

And now to the nitty-gritty.

After spending the past four days on the West Coast talking with members of each of the 12 MLS coaching staffs and general managers, college coaches, league insiders and agents, here is a look at the way things are shaping up for the 2005 MLS SuperDraft:

MOCK DRAFT

1. Real Salt Lake: Nick Besagno.

Los Angeles has made an effort to move up and gain the top selection, but John Ellinger told me he is not going to bite and that they're going to keep the pick. With it, the expansion franchise will take the 16-year-old, who Ellinger quickly fell in love with when he joined the residency program in April.

2. Chivas USA: Brad Guzan (South Carolina).

There are rumors that this pick could be dealt before the draft begins on Friday -- perhaps to Colorado -- but it's likely that Thomas Rongen will keep it and go after the top goalkeeper available. Known for being excellent with his feet, his strong build (6-4, 210) and seeing the game extremely well, Guzan will have a chance to come right in and compete for the starting job.

3. Chicago Fire: Jack Stewart (Notre Dame).

A strong source has told me that a deal has been done that'll bring Tony Sanneh from Columbus to the Fire in exchange for striker Ante Razov. It's no longer set in stone that they take a defender with this pick, which was suspected entering the combine. However, unless they go with U-20 national team midfielder Will John, Chicago is still likely to take this hard-nosed defender from the Fighting Irish to play with Jim Curtin in the back.

4. FC Dallas: Drew Moor (Indiana)

A 21-year-old defender from Dallas is a no-brainer for Colin Clarke and his staff. As a two-time national champion in college and a starter from the U-20 side that played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships, Moor is one of the most experienced and successful players available in the draft, and gives FC Dallas another versatile back to add to its growing stable.

5. Los Angeles Galaxy: Mike Enfield (UCLA)

The Galaxy moved up one selection to the five-spot by swapping picks with San Jose in a trade that saw Todd Dunivant and goalkeeper Steve Cronin go to L.A. in exchange for striker Alejandro Moreno and the rights to defender Chris Aloisi.

With this pick, it's no secret that the Galaxy staff is enamored with this midfielder that's been playing in their backyard for the past four years. Not to mention he's a player who Steve Sampson coached at SoCal United. With Andy Herzog's retirement, Enfield is exactly the type of two-way central midfielder who can cover a lot of ground that L.A. needs.

6. San Jose Earthquakes: Chad Barrett (U-20 National Team)

A high-scoring forward who is currently starting alongside Freddy Adu with the U-20s in FIFA World Youth Championship qualification. Now that Landon Donovan and Dwayne DeRosario are gone, Dom Kinnear is looking for someone to play up front with Brian Ching.

With Dunivant gone to L.A., it appears that San Jose will be signing left back Wade Barrett, who was a Best XI standout two seasons ago for the Earthquakes before going abroad to play in Europe the past two seasons. Kinnear told me that the team has been in contact with him.

"We're in talks," said the Earthquakes head coach. "He's a proven talent in MLS and was getting recognition by the national team before he left the league, so of course he's a player we would want and would welcome back. He's also a good person who the players liked having as a teammate."

7. Colorado Rapids: Danny O'Rourke

Since the Rapids have more cap room than most every club out there, they can afford to go after a non-adidas Elite player.

Said one member of the Rapids coaching staff about O'Rourke: "He's a winner, first and foremost. He's someone out here (combine) that can make the jump to the league as an outside back or as an outside midfielder, and then as a defensive midfielder someday in the future."

A team picking higher may have a change of heart and open up cap room to get O'Rourke, but even if they don't, this is the lowest he'll slide.

8. Los Angeles Galaxy: Gonzalo Segares

Being a former Under-17 national team player for Costa Rica, this is a player that Sampson knows all about, and will have a hard time passing up in this slot.

9. New England Revolution: Michael Parkhurst (Wake Forest)

The Revs coaching staff have expressed an interest in the versatile Parkhurst. The Wake Forest product can play either in a three-back system as he did in college, (which is what New England was playing in at the end of the 2004 campaign), or as one of two centerbacks in a 4-4-2 formation. He can also play as a holding midfielder. Now that Rusty Pierce is gone, there's a definite need in that position.

"He's the smartest player who sees the game the best of all the players coming out," said one assistant coach. His own coaches at Wake Forest said he's like having a coach on the field based on his ability to organize the defense. "He was the top player I've seen in the ACC since I've been here," added Wake Forest assistant coach Bobby Muuss.

While Parkhurst's destination of choice is the Fire since his girlfriend is from Chicago, going to Massachusetts would be a homecoming of sorts since he's from Cranston, Rhode Island, just a short drive away from Gillette Stadium.

10. Chicago Fire: Will John

Chicago obtain the tenth pick from L.A. from a previous deal. John could be an interesting partner for Damani Ralph. The Under-20 National Team striker led the Billikens in scoring with 24 points (10 goals, 4 assists), and totalled 19 goals and 9 assists during his two-year college career.

11. Kansas City Wizards: Tim Ward (St. Louis)

A versatile back that can play in most every position on defense, including in a holding midfielder role. He wasn't involved in the combine since he's with the U-20 national team, but he is a player that the Wizards have been eyeing for sometime.

Should Ward go higher, the next bet for K.C. is Notre Dame left back Kevin Goldthwaite, who trained with Bob Gansler's side last summer.

12. D.C. United: Hunter Freeman (Virginia)

Can play either as a left back or as a right back for the defending MLS Cup champions. Considering he led the Cavaliers in scoring with 27 points (3 goals and 21 assists), there's no question about how he could add diversity to Peter Nowak's side on counterattacks by getting forward up the flank. Might also be a nice combination to have on one side of the field with a speedy player like Josh Gros who covers a lot of ground in the midfield.

Marc Connolly covers soccer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at: marc@oakwoodsoccer.com.