“Union draft strategy: Get ‘em young” at Match Fit USA

Danny Mwanga, Amobi Okugo, Jack McInerney

For all you Union fans still suffering from Superdraft hangover (we got to see our players! on TV! and with real jerseys!), Jason Davis at Match Fit USA has put up a belated but much appreciated post on the Union’s draft choices:

Major trade for the Philadelphia Union–Perkins to DC for Fred and first round pick–what it means for the draft

The Philadelphia Union and DC United announced a major trade late Wednesday night, less than 24 hours before the MLS Superdraft. The Union will acquire Fred, United’s #7 draft pick, and allocation money in exchange its number one position in the allocation order.

My immediate thoughts on the trade:

First: Well done Philly. Even without Fred, who will add some needed depth and experience in the attacking third, the trade for the #7 pick in the draft tomorrow is huge. Huge!

Second: What does it mean for the draft? Not much as far as the later rounds are concerned. Most of the players expected to go in the first round are still going to go in the first round, and I’m going to keep Stephens as the #1 pick in the second round.

Dilly! NY doesn't want you--come to Philly!

Looking at most mock drafts (thanks to ASN’s handy draft aggregator), it looks like the decision is likely between Amobi Okugo and Dilly Duka. There is a chance that Zach Loyd falls this low and, if he does, the Union should nab him and shore up its defensive flanks.

If Loyd isn’t overlooked (and to be honest, I doubt he will be), then Duka is the obvious choice. First of all, screw you Red Bulls–thanks for your developmental player.

Second of all, Duka is much closer to being MLS game ready than Okugo, and for an expansion side that lacks depth this is huge. The Union wants to come roaring out of the gates like Seattle did, and the best way to do this is to add game-ready players, not 18-year-olds in need of another year or two (or three of development).

What are your thoughts?

MLS Superdraft 2010 tomorrow–updates–etc.

The Philadelphia Union roster is about to expand from a measly 11 players to a slightly less measly 15 players tomorrow, barring any trades or other wacky backroom dealings. I will be doing a live blog of the event–sadly not from Philadelphia but about five feet from my HD television. My attempt at predicting the Union’s picks can be found here. Other, better, and complete mock drafts can be found here, here, here, and here.

In other exciting news, I’ve updated the “About” page with a little more personal information (I’m only slowly warming to non-anonymity on the internet). One important nugget from the update: a few people have asked what “C. Horridus” means. A quick google search will tell you: it’s the scientific name for the timber rattlesnake, which you’ll notice in the “Live, or Die” cartoon at the top of this site. Mainly, though, I just thought that Horridus sounded pretty cool.

And one other update: I am a gradute student, and the Spring semester is beginning next Tuesday. There is a good chance this will cut into my available blogging time, but I’ll try to keep the site going as frequently as I can. I will certainly cover the season opener and the regular MLS season as much as possible.  Many thanks to the (small) group of people who keep coming back to this site every day and supporting it in its infancy.

Here’s hoping Austin da Luz gets passed over in the first round

If no team is smart enough to take Austin da Luz in the first round of the draft, he’d be an easy 2nd round pick for the union. Check out this beauty of a goal he scored against UNC-Wilmington (h/t MLS Insider).

More masterful Mwanga

Here is another video that is not about Danny Mwanga but has some nice highlights of him: the 2009 Oregon State Beaver’s men’s soccer year in review. Mwanga, #10, scores some beauts:

Philadelphia Union 2010 MLS Superdraft–Draft needs v. 1.0

I’ve just added my 2010 Philadelphia Union draft needs page to the site. You can find it easily on the top nav bar, where it will hover for another few weeks.

I will update the page frequently as we approach the draft (Jan. 14), especially once we learn more about players at the upcoming combine (Jan. 8-12).