Ahead of the 2014 SuperDraft, MLSsoccer.com is breaking down each team's needs and potential draft targets. The event will see Real Salt Lake's new head coach, Jeff Cassar, making his first big decisions at the helm:
The SuperDraft has always been a major deal for Real Salt Lake: From Chris Schuler to Sebastian Velasquez, the club has unearthed solid MLS contributors in the college ranks.
This year, their scouting prep work will once again be put to the test with their first selection coming late in the first round.
Real Salt Lake SuperDraft Picks: #18 (1st Rd), #53 (3rd Rd), #70 (4th Rd)
Real Salt Lake Depth Chart (26 players):
Goalkeepers (3): Nick Rimando, Jeff Attinella, Lalo Fernandez
Right Backs (3): Tony Beltran, Rich Balchan, Jordan Allen
Left Backs (2): Chris Wingert, Abdoulie Mansally
Center Backs (5): Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler, Carlos Salcedo, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Aaron Maund
Center Mids (2): Kyle Beckerman, Cole Grossman
Left Mids (2): Ned Grabavoy, Sebastian Velasquez
Right Mids (2): Luis Gil, John Stertzer
Attacking Mids (1): Javier Morales
Forwards (6): Robbie Findley, Olmes Garcia, Alvaro Saborio, Joao Plata, Devon Sandoval, Benji Lopez
International slots (4 of 6 available): Joao Plata, Carlos Salcedo
Real Salt Lake's Primary Need: Backup for Kyle Beckerman
Did they let Yordany Alvarez go because they feel like Rich Balchan is back to his 2011 form, when he was leading the Rookie of the Year race before a series of leg injuries derailed him? Or is Cole Grossman able to take on that shield/distributor/ball-winner role? Two big “maybes” right there.
Targets:Jared Watts (Wake Forest), J.J. Koval (Stanford), Joey Dillon (Georgetown), George Fochive (Connecticut), Fifi Baiden (UC Santa Barbara), Romena Bowie (VCU)
Real Salt Lake's Secondary Need: Left back
Chris Wingert is 32 years old, and is coming off one of his most injury-plagued seasons. Abdoulie Mansally can give RSL some good minutes here and there, but he’s very, very error-prone.
Targets:Ben Sweat (South Florida), Aodhan Quinn (Akron), Robbie Derschang (Akron)
CATCH THE OTHER SUPERDRAFT TEAM PREVIEWS:
SAN JOSE: Can Quakes find a player at No. 9 who can start right away?
FC DALLAS: Will Oscar Pareja make a run at NCAA top scorer?
LA GALAXY: Bruce Arena merely putting finishing touches on 2014 squad
