MLS Superdraft 2010–Projected Philadelphia Union picks [Updated!]

Update: The Union have made a major trade with DC for 7th overall pick. I don’t think getting the 7th overall pick will mean major changes to the later rounds. See below.

The MLS 2010 combine is over and the coaching staff for all 16 MLS teams are no doubt all now in Philadelphia, scheming and machinating to outmaneuver one another and strike gold in the draft. The Philadelphia Union, as an expansion side, are in an enviable position, with the first pick in every round. By chasing hard for Danny Mwanga, the Union has taken some of the fun out of the first round, and put its fans are in an unenviable position: trying to figure out who the hell the team will select in the later rounds. What follows is my hapless attempt to predict who these players will be.

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).

No Mwanga at MLS combine

Both Soccer By Ives and MLS Insider are reporting that Danny Mwanga will not be playing at the MLS combine. Ives reports that Union officials have promised Mwanga the first round pick, and told him not to go to Florida.

But do not despair information hungry Union fans! There are still three more rounds in the draft, which means there is still very much at stake for the Union at the combine. On Monday, after digesting all the second-hand sources I can, I’ll do a write up of the top prospects for the later draft rounds.

In the mean time, be sure to check out the MLS Insider blog for live video updates from Florida.

Top Union brass arrive in Florida for MLS combine

Nick Sakiewicz, Peter Nowak, assistant coach John Hackworth, and a small posse of other Union personnel have arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as they prepare for the team’s first MLS combine (Jan. 8-10) and MLS Superdraft (Jan. 14).

Danny Wwanga

Since it sounds like Nowak essentially promised Mwanga the first round pick, the team will likely be more concerned with evaluating talent for their second, third, and fourth round picks. As American Soccer News shows, some real gems have come out of later rounds in the past. Since Mwanga is a striker, look for the team to add at least one or two more midfielders–still the Union’s weakest position by far–and possibly a left or right back.

For a great preview of the combine, and what it means for the players, check out Kyle McCarthy’s latest article at goal.com..

Also, SBI will be down in Florida covering the combine in person, so check his site for updates. While I would have loved to get out of the Syracuse winter for a nice weekend down south, apparently plane tickets to Florida cost money, and that is something I don’t have at present.

More updates to come . . .