Today’s 2019 MLS SuperDraft heralds the informal beginning of the league’s 24th season. With preseason just days away, today’s picks and trades may go a long way towards setting a course for D.C. United and the rest of the league. For the Black-and-Red, the object is both to bolster a squad that hopes to build on last year’s playoff berth and to fill out Loudoun United FC’s roster ahead of the affiliate club’s debut season in the USL Championship.
When will United pick?: At the moment, United has the 14th overall pick...and that’s it. However, Dave Kasper has a long history of trading on draft day, either to move up, to move down, or to move out altogether. United’s other picks (62nd and 72nd overall) are in the back half of the 3rd round, which means they’ll have to wait until a conference call in a couple of days.
What about everyone else?: Here’s the full draft order.
Location: McCormick Place (Chicago, IL)
Start time: 1:00pm Eastern
What you should expect from United: Aside from being very willing to make deals, it seems like United could be looking at a few different options. There is reason to believe the salary cap will be tight this year, so trading up to get a Generation Adidas player would be typical of how United approaches draft day.
Who are those players? Here’s the full list, which includes two players from local schools. It might take a big move for United to land Maryland goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair or Virginia Commonwealth attacking midfielder Siad Haji, as both are looking more and more like they’ll go in the top 6 or 7.
If they stand pat and use the #14 pick? A defender wouldn’t be a bad idea, as injuries and departures have left DCU a bit short at the back. This year’s draft pool has several fullback options that make plenty of sense for United’s needs. A forward would also be nice, as Wayne Rooney is the team’s only current option up top.
Available streaming: MLSsoccer.com and the MLS app
What do we have to say about it?: Earlier this week we talked about why United would do well to select Wake Forest right back Logan Gdula as part of SB Nation’s mock draft. Here’s where you can find the full list of mock draft pieces from around our network. We also did a special draft episode of Filibuster with Top Drawer Soccer’s Travis Clark, who is the best in the business when it comes to knowing the draft pool.
What are you drinking?: Just like yesterday, it’s Chicago and it’s January. Hot coffee or hot tea, I am trying to survive this frozen hellscape.
This is the place for all your pre-, mid-, and post-draft discussion.