2017 MLS SuperDraft Rounds 1 and 2 Analysis: Minnesota United

Minnesota United selected three players in the first two rounds of the MLS SuperDraft on Friday, including the #1 overall selection.

Minnesota United made three selections in the first two rounds of the 2017 SuperDraft on Friday afternoon. With the #1 overall pick, they chose UCLA forward Abu Danladi, who they expect to be able to help the team in his rookie season.

With their two 2nd-round picks, they chose two players with upside who they hope can contribute in the next few years, Goalkeeper Alec Ferrell, and Midfielder Thomas De Vallardi. They also acquired the 42nd overall pick after trading Philadelphia their 25th overall pick, in exchange for the 42nd pick, as well as Targeted Allocation Money.

Abu Danladi

Position: Forward

College: UCLA

The Loons 1st overall pick came as a bit of a surprise to some, as they spurned projected #1 pick, Duke Forward Jeremy Ebobisse, in favor of versatile UCLA Forward Abu Danladi. The Ghanaian, Danladi was injured for a majority of the 2016 season for the Bruins, playing in only 11 matches, yet still managing to lead his team in goals with 7.

Danladi operates mainly as a center forward, but can also play on the wing, or even as a #10, if needed. His injury history is a bit of a concern; however, that didn’t stop the Loons from taking Danladi. There was one word that many scouts at the MLS combine used to describe Danladi, and that word was upside.

Many scouts and MLS club personnel considered him to be the most high-potential player in the draft, with many seeing that concern of his past injuries were the only reason he may not go #1. Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath has a track record for developing young strikers, with Cyle Larin and Dom Dwyer both improving greatly under his tutelage. Heath hopes to do the same with Danladi, and if Danladi is able to stay healthy, watch for him to have a big impact in Minnesota during his rookie season.

Grade: A

Alec Ferrell

Position: Goalkeeper

College: Wake Forest

With the first of their two 2nd-round picks, Minnesota selected Wake Forest Goalkeeper Alec Ferrell with the 23rd overall pick. Standing at 6’4″, Ferrell was dominant is his senior season with the Demon Deacons, grabbing 1st-team all-ACC honors, as well as being selected as a first-team All-American.

Ferrell was the first Goalkeeper taken in the draft, and many analysts also considered him to be the best. As a senior, Ferrell allowed just 0.66 goal per game while in net, and Wake had a 14-2-2 record with Ferrell between the posts. Though he is currently the only Goalkeeper currently on Minnesota’s roster, Ferrell isn’t projected to be a starter in year one, as Minnesota is projected to pick up a starting Goalkeeper soon, though Ferrell could very well be the Loons’ #2 keeper, and could see time in the US Open Cup.

Grade: B+

Thomas De Vallardi

Position: Defender

College: Delaware

Minnesota United originally had the #25 overall pick, but they traded that pick to the Philadelphia Union, in exchange for TAM, and the #42 overall pick. With the 42nd pick, the Loons selected Frenchmen Thomas De Vallardi from the University of Delaware. A four year starter for the Blue Hens, De Vallardi played at Centerback, as well as spent some time as a Defensive Midfielder while he was at Delaware. Not much else is known about the Frenchmen, other than the fact he is a versatile young player with some upside. De Vallardi fell under the radar of most draft scouts, but obviously Minnesota’s front office saw something they liked.

Grade: C

More 2017 MLS Draft Analysis:

• Atlanta United

Next: Minnesota United: Ramirez Brings Scoring Experience to MLS

Let us know what you think of Minnesota’s picks from the first two rounds and how they add to the current squad in the comment section below.