MLS Draft Preview

Draft day is FINALLY upon us!!!

The Timbers have the 2nd pick in the 1st round. There are several quality players available, particularly:
1) Darlington Nagbe
2) Perry Kitchen
3) Zarek Valentin
4) Kofi Sarkodie
5) Will Bruin
6) Corey Hertzog
7) Omar Salgado

The Timbers have filled out a healthy portion of our roster already. Based upon the statements of Gavin & Spencer, as well as their Expansion draft wheeling-and-dealing, the overall strategy seems to be cheap American defenders with speed on the flanks, a mix of veterans and young prospects in midfield, a couple of unproven young forwards to be supplemented with International-quality players acquired through signings or the allocation process. C'mon, Kenny (Franken) Cooper!!!

How do I see the draft playing out? I can see the Timbers picking a young quality American defender with their #2 pick. A defender will be able to contribute immediately and it fits with Gavin & Spencer's cheap American at the back / international attackers strategy. I also predict the Timbers will use their other picks on risky gambits- it would fit with their track record so far (McCarty trade; Findley; Bornstein).

So, without further ado, the Timbers #2 pick will be:

PERRY KITCHEN, Akron Def/Mid

(Alternatively, we take Zarek Valentin or trade down and pick up a cheap defensive prospect like AJ Soares or Adibaba- hey, I get a second guess, right? Nobody's perfect!)