Jason Sieira MLS Mock Draft – 10 January 2015

January 11, 2015 · Jason Sieira
1. Cyle Larin 2. Cristian Roldan 3. Khiry Shelton
Round 1
1 Orlando City MLS Mock Draft Orlando City Cyle Larin F Connecticut
The Canada National Team member signed a GA contract and is now the consensus number 1. He’s not yet 20, is 6’2, a good athlete and has already outgrown the college level. OCSC needs a number 9, making him a perfect fit for them. 
2 New York City FC MLS Mock Draft New York City FC Cristian Roldan M Washington
Roldan is the best US creative midfielder on the board. NYCFC will likely not want to use an international slot on a draft pick. Roldan will have time to develop with the veterans around him and will not need to be the focal point of the attack from day one.
3  Montreal Impact MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Montreal Khiry Shelton F Oregan State
Montreal recently added CB Victor Cabrera from River Plata, but has not made a move on a forward. The Oregan State no. 10 and Pac-12 POY fills a need.
4  San Jose Earthquakes MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings San Jose Ramon Martin Del Campo D UC Davis
He has climbed many draft boards due in part to his connection with the U-23 squad. He and Jordan Morris are the only college players to receive U-23 call ups this season.
5 Portland MLS Mock Draft Portland (from Col) Andy Thoma D Washington
Portland needs defensive depth in the fullback position.  The 3rd team All-America may have time to develop in T2, but given PTFC’s injury history Andy Thoma will get some run out with the first team.
6  Toronto MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Toronto (from Chiv) Leo Stolz M UCLA
The recent Hermann Trophy winner may drop in the draft as midfield is less of a need for other clubs. Stolz’s addition can provide Bradley with a CM partner in possession that has creative and attacking abilities.
7 Chicago Fire MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Chicago Nick Besler M Notre Dame
If the long-term plan is to move Jeff Larentowicz to centerback, then the Fire have a spot open for the Notre Dame holding midfielder Nick Besler. The All-American 2nd team member has the ability to be plugged into any team and contribute early.
8  Houston Dynamo MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Houston Romario Williams F/M Central Florida
Williams signed a GA contract and popped on the board. He can replace the speed lost on top and wide with Omar Cummings’ departure. 
9  Toronto MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Toronto Conor Donovan D NC State
Donovan might actually suffer going with the U-20 US team because less teams will see him in person. Toronto has a ton of picks to burn and just draft the best prospect on the board.
10  Sporting Kansas City MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Sporting KC (from Phi) Fatai Alashe M Michigan State
No position is more in flux than holding midfielder. Alashe’s ability to play both DM and CB makes sense for SKC.  
11  Toronto MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Tortono (from Port) Oumar Ballo D UMBC
With Doneil Henry gone, TFC has a hole at CB. UMBC ‘s run to the College Cup gave scouts an opportunity to see him apply his trade and put him and other Retrievers on the national radar.
12 Sporting Kansas City MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Sporting KC Otis Earle D UC Riverside
SKC could use depth at leftback and wide positions. Earle can get some spot starts and develop over the medium term.
13 Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Vancouver Eric Bird M Virginia
Bird has fallen down this draft board. However, the DM position is so difficult to judge and with after the combine, the position could shuffle again.
14 Columbus Crew MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Columbus Boyd Okwuonu D North Carolina
Columbus needs backline depth. The 5’8 CB might be a reach for them. Boyd Okwuonu may have to work himself into one of the fullback positions as he lacks the idol size for a CB.
15 FC Dallas MLS Mock Draft Logo Dallas Omar Holness M North Carolina
With a good combine, Omar Holness can go much higher. The All-ACC 1st team midfielder will fit into the FC Dallas midfield while he works through his first MLS season. 
16  Real Salt Lake MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Real Salt Lake Anthony Manning D Saint Louis
The 6’4 defender has the physical tools to be a MLS centerback. With his ability to score off of set pieces, he can see time on the field.
17  DC United MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings D.C. United Alex Bono GK Syracuse
If Bono goes earlier, than this will likely be either Miller or Wolverton. DCU are starting to make plans for life after Bill Hamid.
18 New York Red Bull MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings NY Red Bulls Tim Parker D St. John’s
St. John’s had a poor season, but not because of their backline. St. John’s didn’t get much national attention, but Parker was on the Red Bulls’ radar. With a need at CB, Parker makes sense.
19  Colorado Rapids MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Colorado (from Sea) Axel Sjoberg  D Marquette
Sjoberg is a massive centerback at 6’7. The Swede earned 3rd team All-American Honors. Clubs are falling in love with his size.
20  Sporting Kansas City MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Sporting KC (from NE) Robert Kristo F Saint Louis
SKC recently added two GKs so they might want to use a pick to strengthen their front line depth.
21  Los Angeles Galaxy MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Los Angeles James Rogers F New Mexico
LA is in need of wide players and Rogers is a nice pick for them so late in the first round.
Round 2
22 Orlando City MLS Mock Draft Orlando City Dan Metzger M Maryland
Metzger can play the single and double pivot on a possession based team. Metzger played in one of the best collegiate programs and played on the Red Bulls U23 over the summer. He has the building blocks to be a solid pro and an still move up the draft board.
23 New York City FC MLS Mock Draft New York City FC Skylar Thomas  D Syracuse
Thomas is a perfect fit for NYCFC. The centerback from one of the best defenses in the nation plays the right position of need and being from Syracuse won’t hurt with the local fan base. 
24  Portland MLS Mock Draft Portland (from Mont) Seth Casiple M California
Casiple can play the box-to-box or a holding role. Chicago continues to add defenders through the transfer window. The draft is likely a spot for a midfielder.
25 Orlando City MLS Mock Draft Orlando City (from SJ) Saad Abdul-Salaam D Arkon
RB is not a position most team will look to fill immediately. Saad Abdul-Salaam is a nice pick up in the second round.
26 Colorado Rapids MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Colorado Andy Bevin F West Virginia
Bevin had a productive 2014 with 34 points. He has potential as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 in MLS.
27 Seattle Sounders MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Seattle (from Chiv) Kyler Sullivan D Virginia
The Sounders need a new rightback. Sullivan from the College Cup champions can’t replace the speed loss with Yedlin, but he displayed his defensive ability.
28  Chicago Fire MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Chicago Tyler Arnone M/D Michigan
Arnone was a key part of the Michigan midfield, but the MLS Combine invite list has him as a defender. Chicago could use both.
29 Toronto MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Toronto (from Hou) Jose Ribas D Creighton
Ribas might be the best player available at this point and can add fullback depth or give them an attacking option.
30  Sporting Kansas City MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Sporting KC (from Tor) Jordan Murrell D Syracuse
It won’t be surprising if SKC take multiple fullbacks. Chance Myer is returning from injury and backline depth was an issue last season. Murrell is a solid leftback from a good team in the best conference.
31  Philadelphia Union MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Philadelphia Aaron Simmons DM UCLA
He could be the 3rd best or the 7th best DM fielder in the draft, but Simmons can also play a little on the backline.
32 Portland MLS Mock Draft Portland Ricky Garbanzo M Coastal Carolina
With Kalif Alhassan gone, Portland needs a central attacking midfielder off the bench. Garbanzo has shown passing and scoring ability.
33 New England Revolution MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings New England (from KC) Sagi Lev-Ari F Cal State Northridge
The Revs need a forward off the bench to replace Patrick Mullins. Sagi Lev-Ari put in 10 last season, not back-to-back Hermann Trophy caliber, but might be enough to take a flyer on in the 2nd round.
34  Portland MLS Mock Draft Portland (from Van) Andrew Wolverton GK Penn State
The 2nd team All-Conference Big Ten goalkeeper falling to the champions is not a bad pick up.
35  Columbus Crew MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Columbus Wesley Charpie D South Florida
Charpie will get his opportunity to shine at the combine and the Crew has a need at defender. This also might be a spot for his Bulls teammate Nikola Paunic.
36  Houston Dynamo MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Houston (from Dal) Adria Beso Marco M Connecticut
The AAC midfielder of the year has the technical ability that should show in the combine. Houston may be a tough team to judge in this draft.
37  Toronto MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Toronto (from RSL) Akeil Barrett M/F Tulsa
Toronto will need to pick up a forward somewhere in this draft as an insurance policy. If Gilberto and Defoe stay, Barrett could be loaned out to earn some experiece.
38 Vancouver Whitecaps MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Vancouver (from DC) Nikola Paunic D South Florida
The Canadian U20 centerback is a no-brainer, which is why he might go earlier to TFC.
39 New York Red Bull MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings NY Red Bulls Oriel Fisher M/D New Mexico
The Jamaican international was part of the RBNY U-23 NPSL championship side. He has the speed and athleticism to play both right mid and back…a position New York could use some depth in.
40  Seattle Sounders MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Seattle Miguel Aguilar F San Franscisco 
This could be the steal of the draft that falls into Seattle’s lap. Under the radar, going to a small west coast school, but Seattle would have seen him with Portland’s PDL team.
41  Philadelphia Union MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings Philadelphia (from NE) Manolo Sanchez M Clemson
Sanchez is an option at wide midfield and a local boy. With the Union’s USL-Pro affiliate, Harrisburg City Islanders, only a few hours away he will find time somewhere.
42 DC United MLS Superdraft MLS Mock Draft MLS Player Profiles MLS Player Rankings D.C. United (from LA) Joseph Greenspan D Navy
Greenspan will serve after college, but he wants to go pro as well. Elgin Baylor did it in the NBA 50 years ago and of course David Robinson. Greenspan is talented enough to have a chance.