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Saturday, February 21, 2015

2015 Draft Update

This live report comes from the 2015 BSL Superdraft, being held in the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, MA.

Burud Town shocked nobody by taking the "Atomic Ant" Sebastian Giovinco with the first pick in the 2015 Superdraft. The Italian, who it is rumored will be the highest paid player in the BSL, had successful and productive spells at Parma and Juventus before coming to the BSL. More surprising was Alamo City's first round pick of Krisztian Nemeth, partially because few people in the draft room knew if it was the Hungarian Krisztian Nemeth or the Slovakian Krisztian Nemeth. Other notable picks were newcomer Cumberland FC's first round pick of a goalkeeper, Bill Hamid and Spartans first round pick of Cubo Torres, who will finish out the Torneo Clasura before joining the Spartans in May. With their first pick, CD Gunners chose returning star Kei Kamara who represents many analysts dark horse pick for the 2015 Golden Boot. Though it must be noted that predictions can be hazardous, as the previous two Golden Boot winners (Camillo Sanvezzo - 2013 and Bradley Wright-Philips - 2014) were unheralded late-round picks in their respective Superdrafts.

The second round picks comprised many of the returning US National Team stars, with Brek Shea, Mix Diskerud and Sacha Klestjan all being picked up. Newcomer Cumberland FC made up for its odd first round pick with a great second round pick in Michel, an underrated midfielder that is capable of scoring from 40 yards out as well as from the penalty spot.

Round three saw many of the league's most promising young player/leaders get chosen, with Jack McInerney, Harry Shipp, Andrew Wenger, Kelyn Rowe and Deshorn Brown being scooped up. All of these players have been in contention for the rookie of the year award at some point over the last three seasons. It remains to be seen which of these players will climb up the ranks in future seasons and which will fade into obscurity.

Round four saw the two great English mid-field marshals Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard being taken by Alamo City and OC Zodiac respectively. Neither player will join until after the end of the Premier League season, which means that in the first half of the season they will be dead weight on the roster. Newcomer SC Canada had an interesting pick in Kevin Molina, whom many leading analysts think might have a breakout season similar to Dom Dwyer's 2014 season.

As the draft progresses into the later rounds, picks become more speculative, and risk taking can be rewarded or punished. Stay tuned.


Deshorn Brown, Spartans 3rd Round Pick