The short Major League Soccer off-season transitioned into the SuperDraft stage on Saturday with the start of the annual college combine. Unlike prior years when the college showcase was in Florida, this year’s last opportunity for players to make an impression on coaches around the league will be held in Los Angeles – or more specifically at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
After already signing two players under the age of 23 in Designated Player Albert Rusnák and Homegrown midfielder Jose Hernandez, RSL has already bolstered its roster with young talent of varying experience. This week, the technical staff will get a last look at the top college talent in the country before selecting 13th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft on Friday. In addition to its first round pick, RSL holds one pick in the second round (35th overall), two in the third round (48th and 57th overall) and two in the fourth round (74th and 79th overall).
Head Coach Jeff Cassar and his staff have been scouring the college ranks all year and have a good perspective on the talent available, but will use the combine to get deeper looks at some of the players that might be available during one of RSL’s six picks.
“What we try to look for is just reassurance of the work we've done before the combine. At the end of the day it's a massive all-star game. Sometimes they show well. Sometimes they don't. That shouldn't sway you from the work they've done in their college careers,” Cassar said. “We want to stick to the work we've done all year long watching these players and using the combine to affirm it and put everything together to make an educated decision.”
By returning to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus, RSL finds itself in the middle of the draft pack. So while midfielder Omar Holness was available last year and saw action with the first team, the anticipation is that the players available at No. 13 and beyond are more likely to spend extended time with Real Monarchs, developing at the USL level to help prepare for the rigors of MLS.
“It's not the fifth pick but there are talented players in this draft,” Cassar said. “We're going to hopefully end up with a player that maybe doesn't help us on day one but after a year or two is finding his way to playing meaningful minutes for us.”
Saturday saw the start of the combine with the players doing some fitness testing. The first of three match days kicks off on Sunday, with further matches on Tuesday and Thursday ahead of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft on Friday.
