The 2017 MLS SuperDraft first round takes place on Friday. It’s a chance for all 22 league clubs to further augment their roster in the lead-up to the regular season. Columbus Crew SC gets to do it multiple times since they have two picks in the opening round of the draft.
The Black and Gold initially pick fifth overall and third amongst non-expansion teams. This is as a result of finishing 18th in the Supporters’ Shield standings last season. They also have the ninth pick, which came to them from the New England Revolution as part of the now infamous Kei Kamara trade.
Despite predictions regarding its decreasing importance, it’s still possible to find game-changing talents in the SuperDraft. Players such as Keegan Rosenberry, Jack Harrison and Axel Sjoberg come to mind in terms of instant impact players in recent years among others. For Crew SC, Ethan Finlay and Justin Meram are examples. Meram is currently the longest tenured player on the roster.
Which players will sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter target on Friday? The club’s primary needs are on defense and adding depth on the wings. With that in mind, pay attention to the following prospects on draft day.
Columbus Crew SC 2017 MLS SuperDraft First Round Preview
Brandon Aubrey, Notre Dame
Not often do you see a defender put in nine goals during a single season. But that’s exactly what Brandon Aubrey did for Notre Dame in 2016. The Plano, TX native started all 21 games for the Fighting Irish who made it all the way to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Louisville.
Aubrey possesses quintessential center back size at 6’3″ and 192 pounds. He’s exceptional with the ball at his feet and finding teammates downfield, a must in Berhalter’s possession-heavy tactical philosophy. Another thing which stands out about Aubrey is his aerial ability. This could come in handy for a club that didn’t get a single goal from their central defenders in 2016.
Playing time might be scant with Nicolai Naess and new designated player signing Jonathan Mensah expected to see the bulk of minutes at center back in 2017. But he has the potential to be a reliable option off the bench or a stopgap in case of injury.
Chris Odoi-Atsem, Maryland
There might not be a better right back prospect in this draft than Chris Odoi-Atsem. The 21-year-old played a significant part in Maryland coming into last year’s NCAA Tournament as the number one seed. He started in 20 of 21 games for the Terps who went undefeated in Big Ten play.
Odoi-Atsem netted a goal and added six assists for Maryland in 2016. So he fits the profile of the attack-minded overlapping fullback so crucial to Berhalter’s system. He’s also a capable and reliable defender, able to track back and help out on that end. Adding depth behind incumbent starter Harrison Afful is certainly high on the priority list heading into the draft.
As an aside, one of Odoi-Atsem’s college teammates was Alex Crognale who recently signed a Homegrown contract with Crew SC.
Reagan Dunk, Denver
If Odoi-Atsem is the best right back in this draft class, Reagan Dunk might be a close second. During his four-year career at Denver, Dunk tallied a total of 18 assists. And his dynamic play on the flank helped spearhead the Pioneers’ run to last year’s College Cup semifinals.
The Dallas native possesses a healthy combination of speed and athleticism. His ability to send the ball into the box might be as good as any prospect with this role in the draft. If there’s anything he’ll need to work on if he wants to take his game to the next level, it’s his 1-v-1 defending.
Like Odoi-Atsem, this is a depth move aimed at giving Crew SC a reliable back-up behind Afful. And given Afful’s frequent call-ups to Ghana’s national team, there’s the potential for significant minutes as a rookie.
Lalas Abubakar, Dayton
The underlying theme of the Crew SC off-season has been getting better defensively. After all, the club conceded 58 goals which was the second worst total in the league last year. Lalas Abubakar is another player Columbus could bring in with the aim of adding depth behind their primary partnership in central defense.
Berhalter has an eye for players with international experience and Abubakar fits that mold, having featured for the Ghana under-20s. The Accra native was a regular contributor in all three of his seasons at Dayton. He led the team in minutes played as a junior while finishing second in that total a year later.
Abubakar is an athletic defender with an ideal frame for the position. He’s a dangerous aerial threat and won’t be deterred by the added physicality he’ll see at MLS level. The one knock against him is his ability to distribute out of the back which will have to improve given Crew SC’s system.
Jacori Hayes, Wake Forest
The only offense-oriented player featured here, Jacori Hayes made up perhaps the best attacking midfield in college soccer at Wake Forest. It also included Brad Dunwell and MAC Hermann Trophy winner Ian Harkes. The Demon Deacons made it all the way to the College Cup final where they lost to Stanford on penalty kicks.
The first player who comes to mind when you see Hayes on the field is Darlington Nagbe. He’s a versatile chance creator with great vision in setting up teammates with scoring opportunities. But scouts appear to be unsure as to his ideal fit at the next level. Is he a number ten or more of an attacking winger?
Another concern about Hayes moving forward is his play at this week’s ongoing MLS Combine. Reports are that he hasn’t impressed which could negatively affect his draft stock. If Crew SC decide to pull the trigger, look for him to take on an inverted winger role a la Justin Meram. In essence, he could be a natural replacement for Cedrick Mabwati who the club let go in the off-season.
