MLSsoccer.com continues its team-by-team preview of the 2013 SuperDraft with a look at what could be in store for the MLS Cup runners-up Houston Dynamo.
For a team that is not really desperate to fill any one hole, the Houston Dynamo will have an interesting decision to make with their No. 13 overall pick: Take one of the few elite central defenders available or pick up one of the better left-sided players around (left back preferably)?
The crux of the decision comes down to the fact that the Dynamo’s next pick is the second-to-last selection in the draft (No. 37), and by then the best left backs and center backs could very well be off the board.
Houston Dynamo SuperDraft Picks: #13 (1st Rd), #37 (2nd Rd)
Houston Dynamo Depth Chart (24 players):
Goalkeepers (3): Tally Hall, Tyler Deric, Erich Marscheider
Right Back (2): Kofi Sarkodie, Warren Creavalle
Center Back (3): Bobby Boswell, Eric Brunner, Jermaine Taylor
Left Back (1): Corey Ashe
Right Midfielder (3): Giles Barnes, Alex Dixon, Brian Ownby
Holding Midfielders (3): Ricardo Clark, Adam Moffat, Josue Soto
Attacking Midfielders (3): Boniek García, Luiz Camargo, JeVaughn Watson
Left Midfielder (1): Brad Davis
Forwards (5): Will Bruin, Calen Carr, Brian Ching, Omar Cummings, Cam Weaver
Internationals slots (1 of 6 remaining): Barnes, García, Camargo, Taylor, Watson
Houston Dynamo SuperDraft Priorities
1. Cover for Ashe: A quick glance at the roster and it’s pretty clear that Dominic Kinnear needs more left-footed players. Look for the Dynamo to get a proven reserve left back from within the league, but that doesn’t mean they won’t help themselves to one of the heralded left backs in this draft. Will they feel that strongly about any particular one of them to take them No. 13?
Wish List (left backs): Jimmy Nealis (Georgetown), Taylor Kemp (Maryland), Kory Kindle (CSU Bakersfield), Dylan Remick (Brown), Greg Cochrane (Louisville)
2. Left Winger: One attacking weapon the Dynamo don’t have off the bench is a dynamic left-sided player who can get to the end line and deliver a cross. There are a handful of good ones that could fit the bill in the SuperDraft. Question is whether they will fall to Houston at No. 37. Barring a superlative combine, Anding might be the Dynamo’s best hope to still be there in the second round.
Wish List (left winger): Blake Smith (New Mexico), Uwem Etuk (West Viriginia), Don Anding (Northeastern)
3. Centerback Depth: Putting aside the Generation adidas players who are likely to be snagged early, there are two college seniors who are widely considered the top centerback prospects in the SuperDraft. They also would not count as international players for the Dynamo. Given the scarcity of options here, don’t be surprised if Kinnear uses his No. 13 pick on one of these two players.
Wish List (central defenders): Eric Schoenle (West Virginia), Dylan Tucker-Gangnes (Washington)
