Major League Soccer fans looking to identify the future stars of the league can find a safe bet in the annual Generation adidas crop.
This year's group of 12 was the largest class and, judging by where the players were selected in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, one of the best.
"The fact that we've had more success signing young players this year than almost any year in the history of the league I think is a statement of MLS, even while we're going through labor challenges," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said.
Eight of the first 10 players selected in the draft were from Generation adidas, led by Danny Mwanga, a forward out of Oregon State University who was picked first overall by hometown Philadelphia Union.
The New York Red Bulls then went with Tony Tchani, a 6-foot-4 midfielder from Virginia who moved to Norfolk, Va. from his native Cameroon at the age of 14.
"Tchani was our first pick and I have the feeling he was maybe on the top of everybody's list," Red Bulls sporting director and general manager Erik Soler said. "That's natural. He's a very big, strong, physical player with also technical skills. He's of course young so you never know how he's going to develop."
North Carolina forward Teal Bunbury went fourth overall to Kansas City, Amobi Okugo was picked sixth and U.S. under-17 national team forward Jack McInerney was selected seventh, both joining Mwanga with Union. Midfielder Dilly Duka, who spent a year and a half in the Red Bulls Academy, went eighth to the Columbus Crew and Akron midfielder Blair Gavin was selected 10th overall by Chivas USA.
Midfielder Corben Bone, one of four Wake Forest players selected in the first round, was picked by Chicago with the 13th overall pick.
Cal forward Andrew Wiederman was picked by FC Dallas with the 21st overall selection and Creighton defender Zac Herold went to Toronto FC with the 24th pick. University of Central Florida goalkeeper Sean Johnson rounded out the Generation adidas class, taken by the Fire with the third pick of the fourth round.
Last year's rookie class, led by an impressive Generation adidas class, was one of the stories of Major League Soccer last season. Defender Omar Gonzalez helped lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to its fifth MLS Cup appearance and was named MLS Rookie of the Year.
Steve Zakuani (Seattle), Rodney Wallace (D.C. United), Kevin Alston (New England), Jeremy Hall (New York) and Stefan Frei (Toronto FC) all were regulars for their respective teams.
"It's a story about where soccer has come in this country and in Canada. Young players are better and better," Garber said. "By the way, they're getting paid more and more money. Generation adidas players are very well paid for young kids, they like being in Major League Soccer. Some are finding its helping their careers either if they decide to stay here or go abroad."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
