Wizards gamble on a goal scorer
With another draft complete, it's time to take a quick look at each of the first round picks and the implications for the various MLS teams. In what was considered a light year for offensive talent, teams were clearly drafting for need with four forwards being taken in the first round.
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Kansas City are betting that Yura Movsisyan becomes a prolific goal scorer in MLS.
1. MetroStars -- Marvell Wynne, D, UCLA
It's certainly no shock that Wynne was taken first overall. Most observers felt that there was a good chance that coach Bob Bradley would choose to trade out of the top slot. The feeling was that Chivas USA would help itself more by accumulating more players than if it stood pat and took Wynne.
The real surprise was the MetroStars making the move up to grab Wynne -- especially in a week where the trade focus was on potential deals for Amado Guevara and Eddie Gaven. Credit goes to general manager Alexi Lalas for the cheap price he paid to make the move (the number five pick overall and defender Jason Hernandez).
2. Real Salt Lake -- Mehdi Ballouchy, M, Santa Clara
It was fairly common knowledge that John Ellinger coveted Ballouchy, so no surprises here either. Ballouchy has superb ball control, arguably the best out of all the players in this draft. However, it's because he possesses such technical skill that he often leaves observers wondering why he sometimes didn't have more of an impact on the game. This is partially due to his preference to play as a deep-lying midfield playmaker, but by the same token, he's going to have to become a lot more aggressive and assertive offensively if he's to live up to expectations.
3. Columbus -- Jason Garey, F, Maryland
A no-brainer pick for the Crew given the likely departure of Edson Buddle. Garey was the only sure thing in the draft as a goal scorer. He might not have the high-ceiling potential of a Yura Movsisyan or Josmer Altidore, but he's more polished and ready to play. Garey's kind of a cross between Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman.
4. Kansas City -- Yura Movsisyan, F, Pasadena City College
The Wizards ruined Bob Bradley's day by surprisingly opting for Movsisyan when many felt they would take a midfielder. There's a lot to like about Movsisyan -- he's fearless, aggressive, possesses a cannon of a shot and has a single-minded drive to attack the opposing goal. This pick definitely has the makings of a boom-or-bust aspect to it, but it's probably a gamble worth taking. Great goal scorers are hard to find.
5. Chivas USA -- Sacha Kljestan, M, Seton Hall
A nice consolation prize for Bradley after missing out on the one player he really wanted (Movsisyan). Kljestan is probably a lot more MLS-ready and able to make an immediate impact than Ballouchy and rates higher in my book. The two are sure to draw the inevitable comparisons over the duration of their careers as to who should have been the first midfielder taken in this draft.
6. FC Dallas -- Dax McCarty, M, North Carolina
Another pick that was easily predicted with Dallas said to be high on McCarty even before the combine. McCarty quashed any doubts about his size at the combine with a strong display, and his two-way prowess in the midfield provides a nice insurance policy for Dallas should Richard Mulrooney not return to pre-injury form.
7. D.C. United -- Justin Moose, M, Wake Forest
Moose is proof indeed that a strong combine performance can in fact elevate you to first round status. Given his pedigree (the recent Wake Forest pipeline), his high energy motor and D.C. United's need for an outside back, this pick made perfect sense. With a name like Moose, he's bound to achieve cult status with the fans too.
8. Houston -- Patrick Ianni, M, UCLA
Ianni offers great versatility in that he can swing between center back and defensive midfield. I'd argue that he's more liable to make an impact in the pros at defensive midfield, which could spell trouble for Danny O'Rourke's playing time. The book on Ianni is that he has great intangibles, great fundamentals and a great understanding of the game -- exactly the type of player that Dominic Kinnear looks for.
9. Columbus -- Kei Kamara, F, Cal State Dominguez Hills
The Crew took a flyer with their second first rounder. Not only were most observers surprised, but even Kamara himself and his college coach Joe Flanagan were surprised.
"It was a little surprising that he went in the first round, but it was great to see him up there. He's going to a great coach in Sigi Schmid, and it's an awesome opportunity. We're hoping for the best for him," Flanagan told reporters.
I suspect Kamara is likely to turn out to be a Nwankwo Kanu (Nigerian international) type of player. He seems to be equally capable of producing a highlight-reel moment of skill and then moments later do something befuddling and frustrating for his coaches.
10. Chicago -- Calen Carr, F, California
Carr offers nice speed and decent touch. What he doesn't offer, however, is the promise of an innate goal scorer and at this point, his finishing ability still needs a lot of work. Carr also wasn't a projected first rounder by some teams. However, given coach Dave Sarachan's apparent plan to play him at wide midfield or on the wing, this pick might still pan out -- but only if Carr can adjust to being a provider instead of the target man.
11. New England -- Leandro de Oliveira, M, Alabama-Birmingham
The inclination is to give the Revolution the benefit of the doubt here due to Steve Nicols' well-demonstrated prowess in the draft -- but Oliveira was not on most people's radar. Oliveira reportedly has the ability to play forward in a pinch and given the likely depletion of the Revolution's midfield and attacking corps this summer during the World Cup, that versatility will be much needed.
12. Los Angeles -- Nathan Sturgis, D, Clemson
The defending champions just got stronger. Steve Sampson absolutely stole Sturgis with the last pick in the first round. Given Michael Parkhurst's success last year in MLS, it was expected that Sturgis' similar lack of size would not be held against him. There are whispers that he slid since some observers felt he lacked the same positional instincts as Parkhurst, but even so, he's still arguably the most talented backliner in the draft. As an added bonus, Sturgis also brings the ability to play defensive midfield to the table.
Postcard from the U.S. national team camp
While out in L.A. this past week, I took the opportunity to drop in briefly on the national team training camp to see how things were shaping up.
Good news for U.S. fans, Eddie Johnson is starting to look like his old self again. He seemed to be running at full speed in games without any apparent problems. When asked how close he was to being 100 percent, EJ estimated that he was nearing full fitness. "Each day it's getting better and better and the toe's doing really well."
In the shooting drills that I saw, Landon Donovan looked to be easily the most adroit finisher among all the offensive players. Even more impressive was the fact that Donovan appeared to be working predominantly on his left foot and was still scoring with ease.
Funniest Moment: This occurred when Kevin Hartman hijacked the offensive side of the drill on one play, flicked up a pass and half-volleyed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net, while yelling, "The magic touch, the magic touch!"
Turning Heads: Speaking with Kansas City defender and ESPN.com moonlighter Jimmy Conrad, he mentioned Chris Rolfe as a player that had really caught his eye in camp and impressed him with his potential.
Soundbite: "I haven't even spent two seconds thinking about it."
Bruce Arena's response when asked about the possibility of calling up Manchester United's Italian-American youngster Giuseppe Rossi, should Rossi have a change of heart and express interest in playing for the U.S. prior to the World Cup.
Jen Chang is the U.S. editor for ESPN Soccernet.com. He can be reached at: armchairsweeper@gmail.com
