MLSsoccer.com continues its team-by-team preview of the 2013 SuperDraft with a look at what could be in store for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who were eliminated by the LA Galaxy in the Knockout Round of the playoffs in 2012.
Nobody relied less on guys who came through the draft than the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2012. In total, former SuperDraft or Supplemental Draft picks accounted for just less than 12 percent of the total field time for the ‘Caps. They just haven’t done a good job at finding depth with their picks, and haven't found turned anyone else's trash into treasure, either.
That has to change this season, especially in midfield and attack. The pieces they have to build around are nice, but now they need to fill out the roster and give it some personality.
Vancouver Whitecpas SuperDraft Picks: #5 (1st Rd), #10 (1st Rd)
Vancouver Depth Chart (23 players):
Goalkeepers (2): Brad Knighton, Joe Cannon
Right Back (2): Young-Pyo Lee, Greg Klazura
Center Back (5): Jay DeMerit, Andy O’Brien, Martín Bonjour, Brad Rusin, Carlyle Mitchell
Left Back (2): Alain Rochat, Jordan Harvey
Defensive Midfielders (3): Gershon Koffie, Jun Marques Davidson, Matt Watson
Central Midfielders (2): Barry Robson, Bryce Alderson
Left Wingers (2): Omar Salgado, Russell Tiebert
Right Wingers (2): Camilo Sanvezzo, Paulo Jr.
Forwards (3): Darren Mattocks, Kenny Miller, Caleb Clarke
Internationals slots (1 of 11 remaining): Lee, O’Brien, Bonjour, Mitchell, Koffie, Mattocks, Miller, Robson, Camilo, Paulo Jr.
Vancouver SuperDraft Priorities
Central Midfield Maestro: Martin Rennie played more of a 4-2-3-1 in his first season, but you get the feeling he wishes it was a 4-3-3. Putting another possession-oriented central midfielder in there could help his cause, especially since Koffie does so much defensive work.
Wish List (center mids):Kyle Bekker (Boston College), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame), Ian Christianson (Georgetown)
Hit The Target: Look at that list of attackers above, and tell me which one can peel off the backline, come into midfield and make a play with his back to goal. There just isn’t one. Having that kind of option to either pair with Mattocks, or play solo, would be a valuable club to have in the bag.
Wish List (target forwards):Eriq Zavaleta (Indiana), Devon Sandoval (New Mexico), Ryan Finley (Notre Dame)
Born To Run: Finding attackers who can run with Mattocks and be lethal in transition will always be high on the list for the ‘Caps. This draft has a few of them who may very well be around at No. 10.
Wish List (wingers):Erik Hurtado (Santa Clara), Blake Smith (New Mexico), Emery Welshman (Oregon State)
