PHILADELPHIA - FC Dallas holds the No. 11 pick in Friday’s 2018 MLS SuperDraft. It’s their highest selection since 2014 (when FCD held No. 5, traded down to No. 10, then back up to No. 6 to select Tesho Akindele). What kind of talent can we expect at No. 11? Let’s take a look at what history shows as we count down the five best picks there.
5. Tyrone Marshall - 1998 (Colorado Rapids)
Yes, 20 years ago the then-MLS College Draft was a whole different animal, used as the primary point of entry to the league as opposed to today’s TAM/GAM/Homegrown/Transfer-heavy acquisition methods. Regardless, it’s hard to overlook someone who played an astounding 337 MLS games from 1998-2012 - the 10th most appearances by a field player all-time.
4. Brian Carroll - 2003 (2nd Round, DC United)
Similar to the era in which Marshall was taken, Brian Carroll was drafted in a completely different version of the SuperDraft than today’s. Still, he played in the league up until just months ago, finishing fourth all-time in appearances (371) and sixth in minutes played (30,821). Almost more impressively, Carroll not once during his MLS career was shown a red card.
3. Will Bruin - 2011 (Houston Dynamo)
Bruin has gone through some peaks and valleys during his seven MLS seasons, but after a trade from Houston to Seattle last winter appears to be back on the ascent. He’s crossed the 200 appearance mark in 2017 and has 61 goals to his name, easily the best offensive numbers by a No. 11 SuperDraft pick in MLS history.
2. Matt Hedges - 2012 (FC Dallas)
Can FCD strike it as big at No. 11 in 2018 as they did in their only previous No. 11 pick six years ago? It’s a big selection to live up to. Hedges has been the go-to guy on the back line since the mid-point of his rookie campaign and the heart of the FCD defense with 177 games and 15,039 minutes to his name.
1. Roger Espinoza - 2008 (Sporting KC)
There are no bigger No. 11 picks than the SKC midfielder. With 190 MLS appearances, 12 Premier League appearances and a 2013 FA Cup title to his name, Espinoza is one of the leaders of Sporting KC since his return in 2015. Can FCD make a similar home-run pick 10 years later?
All-Time MLS SuperDraft Selections at No. 11
Year | Player | Organization | MLS Appearances |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Daniel Johnson | Chicago Fire | 8 |
2016 | Julian Büscher | DC United | 27 |
2015 | Skylar Thomas | Toronto FC | 0 |
2014 | Patrick Mullins | New England Revolution | 86 |
2013 | Dillon Powers | Colorado Rapids | 142 |
2012 | Matt Hedges | FC Dallas | 177 |
2011 | Will Bruin | Houston Dynamo | 207 |
2010 | David Estrada | Seattle Sounders FC | 50 |
2009 | Jeremy Hall | New York Red Bulls | 127 |
2008 | Roger Espinoza | Sporting KC | 190 |
2007 | Bryan Arguez | DC United | 0 |
2006 | Leandro de Oliveira | New England Revolution | 0 |
2005 | Scott Sealy | Sporting KC | 144 |
2004 | **Leonard Griffin | Chicago Fire | 19 |
2003 | **Brian Carroll | DC United | 371 |
2002 | Daouda Kanté | DC United | 26 |
2001 | Isaias Bardales Jr. | LA Galaxy | 12 |
2000 | Sasha Victorine | LA Galaxy | 234 |
1999 | Evan Whitfield | Chicago Fire | 108 |
1998 | Tyrone Marshall | Colorado Rapids | 337 |
1997 | **Ross Paule | Colorado Rapids | 192 |
1996 | **Scott Lampheard | New York Red Bulls | 0 |
** - Indicates Second Round Pick