Midfielder crop lacking offensive threats

Editor's note: This is the third in a series of previews for the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.

At first glance, the midfield class this year looks weak, but that might be a misconception. While it's not a flashy group of attacking talent, there are some good defensive mids available and some outside flankers with potential. So much of the pure attacking talent has been picked out previously, by MLS underclassman signings and players going overseas, that it's hard to find pure ballers here.

Notable senior talent losses this year alone include the Boston College duo of Alejandro Bedoya and Reuben Ayarna to Europe and Southern Methodist's Brazilian playmaker, Bruno Guarda, to MLS via early entry in July, to name a few.

Like the other positions we've discussed, Generation adidas signings will contribute some top-notch talent. While no names have been announced by MLS, UCLA's Michael Stephens, Maryland's Jeremy Hall and Illinois-Chicago's Baggio Husidic could all be factors.

Top 10 midfield Prospects

1. Sam Cronin, Wake Forest -- A two-time All-American, Cronin has started every game of his career at Wake. Blessed with good range, smooth feet, and good awareness, Cronin's most impressive skills are his game reading, soccer smarts, and mental quickness. Those attributes should translate well to the next level and make him most likely to be ready right away. Cronin played attacking mid down the stretch of the Deacon's 2007 title run, but is nominally a deeper holding midfielder. He'll need to develop a mean streak to excel in MLS. Cronin is one of three finalists, and the only midfield candidate left, for the Hermann Trophy.

2. Brad Ring, Indiana -- Two years ago, a MLS coach told me this kid was for real -- and that was before Ring ripped off a couple of All-American seasons. Like Cronin, Ring is a deep-lying midfielder who is a good ball-winner and has a good shot. Ring led IU in scoring in 2007 with five goals and six assists. He's also a former U.S. U-20. Ring missed some games late this year due to injury but returned in time for a good NCAA tourney run by the Hoosiers.

2009 MLS SuperDraft
Jan. 15 St. Louis 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2

3. Andrei Gotsmanov, Creighton -- The Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and a first-team All-American, Gotsmanov led the Bluejays with 10 goals. Gotsmanov is the best pure attacking talent on the midfielder board at this stage, yet questions have been raised about his pace and athleticism. However, at 6-foot-1 he has the size to play in the modern professional midfield. Gotsmanov started his career in 2004 at St John's, where he was named to the Big East third team, but then gave up two seasons of eligibility when he transferred to Creighton.

4. Michael Lahoud, Wake Forest -- Lahoud is a terrific outside midfielder who can play on both sides of the field. A good defender, Lahoud is most well known for his ability to attack and take players with pace or on the dribble. He's a dangerous scoring threat with his penetrating runs. Only a couple of ACC accolades on his résumé doesn't diminish the talent on display. His 89 games played ranks third all-time at Wake.

5. Kyle Patterson, St Louis -- The 2007 A-10 Offensive Player of the Year with 10 goals and four assists, Patterson upped his production this year with 12 and five, respectively, and yet only scored an A-10 first team nod. Patterson is a wide right midfielder or winger and is a leader for SLU on the field. A native of Birmingham, England, Patterson will likely have his draft value hurt by his international status. As a youngster, Patterson was a prolific goal scorer for the West Bromwich Albion youth team.

6. Dylan Curtis, California-Davis -- A 6-2, 190-pound left winger, Curtis exploded this year with five goals and 11 assists to earn Big West Midfielder of the Year honors. His 11 assists tied a single-season school record, and 17 helpers for his career ranks him second in Davis history. A redshirt senior and a late bloomer in soccer terms, Curtis was the Cal-Davis MVP in 2007 after a couple of seasons as a part-time starter.

7. George John, Washington -- John is primarily a central midfielder, but was occasionally deployed in defense. The 6-4 UDub product would be higher on this list if not for a late-season meniscus injury that cost him the final five games of the regular season. He still managed to earn a first team nod in the Pac-10 in 2008.

8. Brian Shriver, North Carolina -- Predominantly a wide midfielder 'til this year, Shriver shifted up to forward and ripped off an amazing scoring season with 14 goals and five assists to drive Carolina to the NCAA Final. While he earned a first-team All-ACC nod as a striker, Shriver's work rate, good finishing, solid crossing, determination, game reading, soccer smarts, and tenacity make him a viable pro prospect at wide midfielder or winger in the mold of a Brian Mullan.

9. Trevor Banks, Old Dominion -- A versatile player who can play almost anywhere on the field, Banks had the most impact in college as a midfielder. A two-time Colonial Athletic Association first teamer, Banks finishes his career among the ODU all-time leaders with 20 goals and 11 assists. Banks was CAA Freshman of the Year back in 2005 and is also a former U.S. U-20 team member, where he played mostly as a defender. He may look to prove himself as an outside back rather than a winger at the MLS Combine.

10. Danny Irizarry, Ohio State -- A senior and a Puerto Rican international, Irizarry is a two-time Big Ten second team honoree for the Buckeyes. A holding midfielder, Irizarry can score from distance and is much more physical than either Cronin or Ring. Irizarry is perhaps the purest hard-nosed defensive midfielder in this group, but doesn't possess the passing skills of some of his peers. He tends to play simply and quickly move the ball to more offensive-minded players.

Ten more seniors to watch

Pavelid Castaneda, Duke

Juan Guerra, Florida International

Craig Henderson, Dartmouth

Richard Jata, Campbell

Jason Leopoldo, UCLA

Ryan Maduro, Providence College

Matt Murphy, California-Irvine

Patrick Murray, Furman

Akeem Priestly, Connecticut

Jake Stacy, Michigan

Buzz Carrick is the publisher of 3rd Degree, the FC Dallas News Source. He also works in the freelance sports television business and can be reached by e-mail at buzz@3rddegree.net.