2017 MLS SuperDraft Full Analysis: San Jose Earthquakes
By Jesse Tapia
The San Jose Earthquakes picked up four players in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. A look at each player and what they bring to the squad.
A review of each selection’s skills and stats from their time in college, and what to expect from them coming up the season ahead.
Round 1: Jackson Yueill
Position: Midfielder
School: UCLA
The Earthquakes took Jackson Yueill with their first pick in the draft and it was a solid selection. Yueill played two years at UCLA as the midfielder was a First Team All-Pac12 conference selection in both years. In his first year the midfielder scored 7 goals and tallied 6 assists. He followed that up with 2 goals and 11 assists in his next season.
Yueill is a midfielder with solid vision on the ball, contains some quickness, and is someone who constantly fights to win the ball back from his opponent. I don’t expect the midfielder to get much playing time in his first season so you could see him sent out on loan to a team like Sacramento Republic FC to polish his game up. This is a draft pick that’ll payoff well in the future.
Round 2: Lindo Mfeka
Position: Midfielder/Forward
School: University of Southern Florida
Lindo Mfeka looks to be more of a project for the Earthquakes. Mfeka played 4 years at USF as he was a Second Team All-AAC player his first year and then First Team All-AAC selection his final three years at USF. Mfeka has solid footwork, speed, and can score goals if needed also. With how San Jose struggled last year at the forward position and how deep they seem to be at the midfield spot I expect them to groom Mfeka into more of a forward role in the coming years.
Round 3: Christian Thierjung
Position: Midfielder/Forward
School: University of California-Berkley
Christian Thierjung played four years at Berkley and was a First Team All-Pac 12 selection in his third year. He scored nine goals each in his last two seasons. However, he most likely won’t be a squad selection in year one, with a loan more likely, unless the Quakes suffer injuries.
Round 4: Auden Schilder
Position: Goalkeeper
School: University of Washington
Auden Schilder was a Second Team All-Pac 12 selection in 2016 and recorded 75 saves in 20 games that same year. With David Bingham the started, Auden will battle Andrew Tarbell for the backup position. Tarbell is also a young talent and a member of Generation Adidas. Whoever doesn’t make backup could also be sent to Sacremento for the season.
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With these selections by the Earthquakes it will be interesting to see how they utilize each selection and how they fit into the team’s plans going forward.