The first looks at the 2017 MLS SuperDraft are in and while Major League Soccer announced over the weekend additional players who will be eligible for the draft after the signing of Akron freshman Jonathan Lewis to a Generation adidas contract and the inclusion of three youth internationals, several publications that follow college and MLS soccer tried their hands at mock drafts recently. Here is a look at those early prognostications for Real Salt Lake’s selection at No. 13 in the first round.
MLSsoccer.com – Justin Schmidt, CB, Washington
“RSL have a couple of needs in other spots -- including back-up right back -- that I think will be addressed elsewhere. That said, if one of (Reagan) Dunk or (Chris) Odoi-Atsem drops in the draft, I wouldn't be at all shocked if they're picked here.
Barring that, however, I think that the safe bet is to assume they'll continue to boost their central defensive depth with a guy who's well known to GM Craig Waibel (he coached Schmidt at Washington). This is a no-nonsense pick who doesn't try to do anything he can't, and doesn't lose games for you with tactical mistakes.”
Top Drawer Soccer – Zeiko Lewis, M/F, Maryland
“Any team looking for versatility can’t do much better than Lewis. He projects as a hybrid forward/winger at the next level, and his eight assists in 2016 would look mighty good in Sandy.”
Soccer By Ives – Schmidt
“RSL has several needs, but one it can address in the draft is depth in central defense. This year’s draft class has several impressive center back prospects and RSL could do worse than the 6-foot-2 Schmidt. RSL general manager Craig Waibel coached Schmidt as an assistant at Washington, so he knows him well.”
Stay tuned for more updates from the MLS Combine and SuperDraft this week.
