Sporting Kansas City is in position to make a big splash at the 2015 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday. Manager Peter Vermes will have three first round draft picks—the 10th, 12th and 20th overall selections—to strengthen his roster ahead of the new season.
The MLS SuperDraft has been an invaluable squad-building tool for Vermes during his tenure as head coach. Matt Besler, Graham Zusi, Dom Dwyer, Roger Espinoza and Chance Myers all comprise the current core of a team that has won an MLS Cup, a U.S. Open Cup and two regular season conference titles over the last four years.
Vermes selected each of them in the MLS SuperDraft.
Could 2015 be the draft where Sporting KC strikes big again? With the 10th, 12th and 20th overall picks, the chance is certainly there. And a look at past MLS SuperDraft results indicate that impact players can come from just about anywhere in the first round.
Below is a successful crop of MLS players who were selected either 10th, 12th or 20th in the draft. As history shows, Sporting KC could be primed to make a valuable, long-term addition (or two) to its roster on Thursday.
Notable No. 10 picks in the MLS SuperDraft
- Kevin Alston (2009) – The defender has started 131 of his 138 MLS appearances for the New England Revolution (including postseason) over the last six seasons. His 2013 and 2014 campaigns were shortened by his battle with leukemia, but that didn’t stop him from making four appearances in the 2014 postseason as the Revs advanced to MLS Cup.
- C.J. Sapong (2011) – Sapong took little time settling in at the professional level, earning 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year honors en route to becoming a fan favorite at Sporting Park. The forward scored 27 goals for the club in all competitions and appeared in all 11 of Sporting KC’s playoff matches from 2011-2014.
- Ethan Finlay (2012) – The winger enjoyed a breakout season in 2014, leading Columbus Crew SC with 11 goals and seven assists and helping the club secure its first postseason berth since 2011.
Notable No. 12 picks in the MLS SuperDraft
- Wade Barrett (1998) – The 10-year MLS veteran defender won three MLS Cups with either San Jose (2001) or Houston (2006, 2007) and started 255 of his 262 MLS appearances (including postseason). Currently an assistant coach with the Dynamo, Barrett played three seasons in Denmark and Norway between 2002-2004.
- Jose Burciaga (2001) – After playing just seven MLS matches in his first three seasons at Kansas City, Burciaga flourished into a vital defensive cog. He helped the team reach the 2004 MLS Cup final and in 2006, recorded eight goals and eight assists en route to team MVP honors and an MLS Best XI selection. He finished his Kansas City career with 15 goals and 18 assists in 130 games across all competitions.
- Chris Wingert (2004) – An offseason acquisition for expansion team New York City FC, Wingert has played 292 league matches over 11 MLS seasons and helped Real Salt Lake quality for the playoffs every year from 2008-2014. He was a 2009 MLS Cup champion and a 2011 CONCACAF Champions League finalist.
Notable No. 20 pick in the MLS SuperDraft
- Baggio Husidic (2009) – The Bosnian midfielder spent three under-the-radar seasons with Chicago from 2009-2011 before moving to Swedish club Hammarby. He returned to MLS in 2014, enjoying a breakout season with MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy. He played in 38 of the club’s 39 MLS matches, contributing five goals and four assists.