Less than a month away from the 2005 preseason and just days away from the MLS SuperDraft, there a million and one decisions to be made for the upcoming season. Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Steve Sampson spoke to MLSnet.com about how a top notch chief prepares himself for MLS Combine and how he and his coaching staff study and analyze talent.
MLSnet.com: This is your first combine, how do you and your coaching staff prepare for it?
Steve Sampson: Most of the work is done prior to the combine, evaluating needs and focusing on the players that will fill those same needs.
MLSnet.com: Did [assistant coach] Martin [Vazquez]'s departure place a dent in your plans on how to encounter the combine?
SS: No, we have a president and GM [Doug Hamilton] who has been through this a number of years. We have evaluated talent and have a good feel of the top players.
MLSnet.com: Did Martin suggest any players?
SS: Martin was very helpful prior to departing [for CD Chivas USA]. He communicated well with coaches, and did a great job analizing the P-40 players.
MLSnet.com: Are you concerned he might draft any players you both talked about for Chivas USA?
SS: Not at all. Chivas' needs and ours are dramatically diferent. We are both looking for quality. The Galaxy's needs are different. We have two top choices; they do not.
MLSnet.com: There are 60 players at the combine, how can you possibly scout every single one of them?
SS: You analyze who your top two players are in every position. Also, you do your homework by talking to club and college coaches, requesting video tapes ... This requires a lot of man hours.
MLSnet.com: Is this a deep draft class?
SS: It's hard to compare, but based on what I've seen and been told, there's great talent.
MLSnet.com: Any players like Freddy Adu, Clint Mathis or Landon Donovan in this class?
SS: Landon and Mathis never made an impact coming out of the gate. It actually took them time, but eventually yes, there could be some there.
MLSnet.com: With three picks in the first round, is the club positioned to make a blockbuster trade if it wants to?
SS: We only have two now. The third we traded away. We will have to wait and see how the players do in the combine.
MLSnet.com: What qualities are you looking for in a player to be drafted by the Galaxy?
SS: We look for players to make us better in the short term or a year down the road; complete guys, with abilities on and off the field; disciplined, but I must admit that the soocer element is most important.
MLSnet.com: What positions are you looking to fill?
SS: I don't necessarily want to make that public. But we lost [Andy] Herzog and [Hong Myung] Bo, so at the very least we need players to replace them. I am also looking for goalscorers. We currently have three players out of contract. We obviously have to look in those positions in case those contracts don't get renewed.
MLSnet.com: How many hours of film do you watch before and after an event of this magnitude?
SS: I have 16-hour days, whether it's at home or the office. We put in a lot of time.
MLSnet.com: How many Latin players have you scouted?
SS: I traveled to Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica, and I have also been watching videos of players that we've received from their agents. We've also done a pretty good job of assessing top players in Central America.
MLSnet.com: Do you know that Guillermo Ramirez, a player you have not hid your interest in, is leaving on trial to Wolverhampton on Saturday?
SS: It doesn't surprise at all. Guillermo is very talented.
MLSnet.com: Should he not make the trial, would you still be interested in him?
SS: Players need to go on those trials and see their real value. We do have some interest and we will make it known at the appropriate time.
MLSnet.com: With the SuperDraft coming up, can we expect any major trades with other MLS teams?
SS: In the next week you will see some movement in that department.
Rene Romano is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
