Thursday will see Vancouver Whitecaps take part in their third MLS SuperDraft, and the second under Martin Rennie. They once again will select early, 5th overall, with this year's pick coming courtesy of a trade for their allocation spot with Philadelphia.
With many teams rumoured to be keen on trading up, including Cascadian rivals Seattle and Portland, will the Whitecaps keep this selection and go for a raw, future prospect? Or will Martin Rennie decide that a more experienced head is needed, particularly in midfield, and be keen to do some trading?
The last two drafts have had mixed results for the Caps, with good choices at the top of the draft but an inability to find a hidden gem in the later picks.
We take a look back at what's gone before and look ahead to what the Caps' needs are this time around and who might be there to fill them:
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<b>2011 DRAFT</b>
The Whitecaps may have surprised others in MLS but after a training stint in the summer before the draft, the expansion side knew they wanted Omar Salgado as their first selection. He had limited opportunities in his rookie year but a move to left wing seemed to spark an awakening before an injury with the US U20 team ended his season prematurely.
With an additional first round pick, the Whitecaps also selected Akron product Michael Nanchoff, who, as a left sided midfielder, seemed to fill a desperate need. Unfortunately for him, the promise he showed in preseason games and training never translated with the first team and he is now looking for a new start.
The second and third rounds saw them select a couple of Notre Dame players who both lasted only year. Jeb Brovsky was taken in the expansion draft by the Impact and Bilal Duckett moved on to the lower leagues.
Vancouver also selected defender Michael Boxall in the Supplemental Draft. The Kiwi international started a number of games in his rookie season but was relegated to the press box and released last summer.
Midfielder Joe Anderson and defender Santiago Bedoya were the Caps short lived and soon forgotten other Supplemental Draft picks.
<b>2012 DRAFT</b>
A surprising first selection by the Impact at the SuperDraft allowed Darren Mattocks to fall into Rennie's lap and if it were not for a freak injury, Vancouver's leading scorer may have hit double digits in goals. There should be no doubt the Jamaican international will have a spot in the starting eleven from day one against TFC.
With YP Lee penciled in as the starter the Caps were looking to have a young RB behind the vet so they drafted Chris Estridge. However the defender was released when he was out performed by Supplemental draft pick Greg Klazura.
The other supplemental picks, goalkeeper Andrew Fontein and defender Mark Fetrow, never made it out of training camp, whilst their first Supplemental Draft pick of Mexican Gienir Garcia was soon traded to Montreal for the MLS rights to Etienne Barbara. Garcia made no appearances for Montreal and was soon back in Mexico.
<b>SOME CAPS' NEEDS THAT COULD BE ADDRESSED</b>
If the Whitecaps are looking to contend for a playoff spot and trophies then anyone they draft shouldn't be expected to start from day one. The players they acquire should be considered rotational players who could develop into starters in a year or two.
CENTREBACK - This may seem like a position of strength, especially with the recent signing of Brad Rusin, but the two starters are on the north side of 30 and it seems like Bonjour might be moved so a young central defender, who would be fourth on the depth chart, that can learn from the vets before taking over in a year as a starter would be ideal.
LEFT BACK - The Caps currently have Rochat and Harvey on the depth chart but Rochat is getting older and may be moved to a holding midfield role, while Harvey has yet to prove that he can be an everyday starter. Greg Klazura is another existing option. There are limited options for this position at the top of the draft but a pickup in the second round, assuming they can acquire one, or in the Supplemental Draft could work for them.
RIGHT MIDFIELD - With Dane Richards moving on this preseason, the Caps need to replace significant speed on the right side. It would be a bonus if the player can also slide into a central attacking role and play multiple positions.
FORWARD - The Caps have the pace with Mattocks but need a physical forward as a change of pace to score those 'garbage' goals in the box. If Rennie decides to play more 4-4-2 this season then they will need more depth at forward.
<b>A POSSIBLE SCENARIO</b>
'Mock drafts' are overdone and basically pointless. The whole thing can be a lottery and as we saw last year, anything can happen with those early picks.
That said, I wouldn't be too upset if we were to see the following play out.
<b>Caps 1st pick (5th Overall) - Eriq Zavaleta DF/Indiana :</b>
The son of an El Savador pro soccer player, Zavaleta is capable of playing a number of positions similar to last year's top pick Andrew Wenger. In addition to other positions, his two main spots are forward and center back because of his ability to read the game and dominate the game in the air. While he will see the pitch due to his versatility, joining the Caps would see him spend most of his first MLS season learning from a number of veterans like DeMerit and O'Brien.
Other options worth considering would be MF Mikey Lopez, DF Walker Zimmerman, and MF Kyle Bekker.
<b>Caps 2nd pick (10th Overall) Kyle Bekker MF/Boston College :</b>
One of the top performers at the MLS Combine the Canadian has moved up the draft boards so much that some have suggested that he could be a top 5 pick. There are however a couple of things working against him. One is that he didn't sign a GA contract and will count against the cap, and secondly he is Canadian, which would make him count as an international player for American clubs. The only way he doesn't last is if TFC trades down or Montreal makes him their pick which is too sensible for them to do.
UPDATE:
<b>Caps 2nd pick (10th Overall) John Stertzer MF/Maryland :</b>
Originally had Kyle Bekker in this spot but it looks like the Canadian midfielder is moving up the board since his combine and the TFC trade. It also looks like the Caps are shopping this pick for a veteran MLS midfielder but if they keep the pick then Stertzer might be the selection. A player with size, Stertzer could play as an attacker or in a holding role in the central role. The Maryland grad is comfortable with the ball at his feet, reads the play well and has the ability to score from the midfield.
Other options would be MF Erik Hurtado, MF Dillon Powers, MF Emery Welshman.
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Rennie has <a href=" http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4087-Keep-Calm-and-Carry-On" target="_blank">already told AFTN</a> that he is looking for players who can help and compliment the current squad and can either come in, or be close to being ready to come in, and do a job in Vancouver.
Is there anyone in the 2013 draft that fits the bill? Or will we be seeing Vancouver's best outcome from the draft coming from a trade elsewhere?
We'll soon find out.
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