To say it was disappointing end to last season for D.C. would be sugarcoating it. There is nothing worse than to be knocked out of the playoffs by your rivals, the New York Red Bulls, for the second year in a row. But, now that it’s the off-season it isn’t about looking at what happened, but instead what can be done to put out a stronger team for next year. D.C. is already on the right track with the addition of midfielder / forward Lamar Neagle from the Seattle Sounders in a three team deal involving them shipping the oft injured Chris Pontius to the Philadelphia Union. D.C. will also need to fill in the large hole left by the (most likely) loss of out of contract midfielder Perry Kitchen.
But, have no fear because tomorrow in Baltimore, Maryland the MLS SuperDraft will be taking place. While it may be a crap-shoot, the draft is one of the best ways to add young talent to your team at a pretty cheap cost. We’ll be going into D.C. United’s areas of need and highlighting players to fit them and will also conduct a mock draft below.
Needs:
Youth at the forward position:This one is a given because D.C. had issues scoring goals in key situations. While Neagle can play forward if needed that isn’t his best position. Plus he’s currently 28 years old (not quite what I would define as youth). Incumbents Álvaro Saborío and Chris Rolfe are 33 and 32 respectively. This is a position that could use a youth injection and fast. One NCAA player that could fill that need is Fabian Herbers, from Creighton.
Outside back help: specifically at right back which, this draft isn’t particularly deep on. the top two prospects in the SuperDraft are Andrew Vincent, from Clemson and Keegan Rosenberry, from Georgetown. Both would be ready to start immediately but neither is expected to fall to D.C. at 13.
It also wouldn’t hurt to acquire some midfield depth in the draft to offset the (probable) loss of Perry Kitchen. This draft is headlined by Midfielder Jack Harrison but there is no chance whatsoever that he falls to D.C., Harrison should be one of the first picks off the board.
Related Story: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?
Mock SuperDraft:
Round 4 picks 4,6,13:
D.C. aquired the 4th pick today from the New York Red Bulls as compensation. See tweet below from D.C. United’s official twitter page:
#DCU acquire 4th round pick in 2016 SuperDraft from #RBNY, fulfilling future considerations for discovery claim of Kemar Lawrence.
— D.C. United (@dcunited) January 13, 2016
the 6th pick was acquired in a trade in 2014 with the Houston Dynamo along with Andrew Driver. The 13th pick is D.C.’s natural pick. While there is a chance that one of the 4th round picks could turn into the next Chris Wondolowski it’s more likely that they will just be depth picks so this is where D.C. will look for backup midfielders, defenders and maybe an emergency goalie.
With D.C. United’s lack of high level picks in the SuperDraft tomorrow it’s very important that they are able to grab a talented player in the first round. If D.C. misses on a player there they won’t have a chance to make up for it unless they find the steal of the draft or pull of a trade for another pick, neither of which is out of the realm of possibility.
Be sure to comment on how you think the MLS SuperDraft will go for D.C.