SuperDraft

Check out the final mock draft on MLSsoccer.com as Jason Saghini, Matt Doyle and Simon Borg predict the 38 players that will be drafted in Thursday's SuperDraft.

Part 1

Part 2

In any sport, draft day provides a wide range of emotions for players who hope to have their name called by that sports' commissioner. Some players enter full of confidence, others enter full of nerves, while others are there to just enjoy the ride. We caught up with four Dynamo players to discuss their draft-day experience and get their thoughts on the day that changed the course of their professional career.

Corey Ashe
Houston Dynamo (2nd round No. 26 overall in 2007)

Thoughts on draft day

"I had attended the draft with my dad and my agent. It was a pretty exciting experience because it determines where you are gonna go. It’s a big step for any professional soccer player. I remember being a little nervous. There was a group of us sitting together and one-by-one everyone around me was getting drafted. Then the second round rolls around and I didn’t think Houston would draft me. I was told Kansas City or Real Salt Lake would take me. Sure enough, Dom and the staff selected me and it was a sense of relief."

Had you spoken to the Dynamo ahead of the draft?

"I had no idea I was even on their radar. At the combine, I had spoken with RSL head coach John Ellinger - also my coach at Residency - and KC head coach Curt Onalfo. KC was coming up after Houston so I was sure I was going there. Getting picked by Houston was exciting, though, because they were the defending champs. I knew it was gonna be a lot of fun and I would gain a lot of experience."

Will Bruin
Houston Dynamo (1st round No. 11 overall in 2011)

Thoughts on draft day

"I was nervous. It was a rollercoaster of a day. I was told I was going to go top-3 and then I was told I would go No. 5 and then I kept falling, more and more. Teams changed their minds last minute and were scrambling so you have no idea what to expect. My agent was also telling me things all day and eventually he said ‘This one is for sure, you are going to Houston with the trade.’ So I was excited about that.

Eric Brunner
New York Red Bulls (2nd round No. 16 overall in 2008)

Thoughts on draft day

"I wasn’t lucky enough to meet my fiancé yet, but my cousins and my parents were there and I was just soaking up the experience with them. It’s cool to experience first-hand what you previously had watched on TV. It was a little overwhelming having the fans, coaches and general managers there, but it was definitely an experience I will never forget."

Calen Carr
Chicago Fire (1st round No. 10 overall in 2006)

Thoughts on draft day

"I remember it very well. It was in Philadelphia. My mom flew in and one of my closest childhood friends, who lived in New York at the time, took the train in. I remember the excitement of becoming a professional and the feeling of accomplishment of realizing your dreams.  It was just a fun experience to be sitting in that room, not knowing where you were going, but knowing you would be a professional soccer player no matter what."

Did you have an idea of where you might get drafted?

"It was pretty wide open for me. Just looking at the draft coverage from then to now, there is so much more coverage now. The process has really evolved, which is another good indicator of how far the league has come."
 

It's no secret that ratings for the MLS SuperDraft have never been high, and while those in soccer circles would love to see the draft rival those of the NBA and NFL, MLS has decided to think outside the box to attract viewers for this year's event. This year's MLS SuperDraft will not be televised on ESPN or any other network, but it will be streamed across the world on ESPN3, ESPNFC, MLSsoccer.com, YouTube.com and all club websites. That's right folks, you can watch this year's draft live on HoustonDynamo.com.

Some might consider the move minor league, but I think it's a brilliant idea. A 12 noon time slot was never going to attract hundres of thousands of viewers. But now, if you are at work or at home, you can turn on your computer and catch the draft, without missing a beat of your regular work day. And if you don't have time to catch the draft live, it will be archived on YouTube later in the day for your viewing pleasure.

Now on to MLSsoccer.com's mock draft following the first day of combine matches.

Click here for the full mock draft.

In the previous mock draft, Simon Borg predicted the Dynamo would take West Virginia defender Eric Schoenle. This time, Borg is giving the Dynamo CSU Bakersfield defender Korey Kindle.

Borg: Sensational athlete. Immediately leaves a mark when he comes into the match. His leaping ability makes him another dangerous aerial weapon for the Dynamo.

Jason Saghini also gave the Dynamo Schoenle in the first mock draft, but this time around he has selected Washington defender Dylan Tucker-Gangnes for Dominic Kinnear's squad.

Saghini: Looked strong in the air, which was expected. But he also looked quicker on the turn than I thought he'd be, and was confident in distribution. Don't see how Houston passes on him.

In his previous mock draft, Matt Doyle projected the Dynamo would take Georgetown defender. In this version, he sticks with a Georgetown defender, but he switches positions from left back (Jimmy Nealis) to center back (Tommy Muller).

Doyle: With Hainault out in Houston, center back is the biggest need and left back option can wait.

In this mock draft, all writers predicted the second round as well. Borg predicted the Dynamo would take Brown defender Eric Robertson. Saghini stayed on the defensive live and gave Houston Wake Forest defender Anthony Arena. Doyle believes the midfield could use a reinforcement and selects Louisville holding mid Paolo DelPiccolo for the Dynamo.

Borg: Dynamo add a tall defender (6-foot-3), who's quick on his feet and excellent in the air.

Saghini: The Dynamo get cover for central defense and left back, both of which are needs with their huge schedule this season.

Doyle: Holding mid is an area that could use some reinforcements and DelPiccolo will fit the Houston system well.

MLSsoccer.com writers are convinced the Dynamo will use their first pick (and maybe their second pick) on a defender. So what do you think? Would you like to see the Dynamo draft a defender or is there another position you would like to see drafted?

Be sure to follow http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2013/combine for the latest information about the MLS Combine and MLS SuperDraft.