Ahead of the 2014 SuperDraft, MLSsoccer.com is breaking down each team's needs and potential draft targets. What are the Sounders plotting with the move to No. 8?
The Sounders do a lot of homework going into the SuperDraft and they are one of only a handful of clubs that conducts its own player combine (in Las Vegas). So you know Sigi Schmid has a specific target in mind at No. 8 after trading up five spots by swapping picks with Chicago.
Without any glaring holes, expect the Sounders to focus on two positions in particular for a little more quality depth.
Seattle Sounders SuperDraft Picks: #8 (1st Rd), #21 (2nd Rd), #55 (3rd Rd), #77 (4th Rd)
Seattle Sounders Depth Chart (27 players):
Goalkeepers (3): Stefan Frei, Marcus Hahnemann, Josh Ford
Right Backs (2): DeAndre Yedlin, Zach Scott
Left Backs (2): Leo Gonzalez, Dylan Remick
Centerbacks (4): Chad Marshall, Jalil Anibaba, Djimi Traore, Eriq Zavaleta
Center Mids (4): Osvaldo Alonso, Shalrie Joseph, Andy Rose, Blair Gavin
Left Mids (2): Lamar Neagle, Aaron Kovar
Right Mids (3): Brad Evans, Tristan Bowen, Alex Caskey
Attacking Mids (1): Clint Dempsey
Forwards (6): Kenny Cooper, Obafemi Martins, David Estrada, Will Bates, Chad Barrett, Sean Okoli
International slots (5 of 7 remaining): Djimi Traore, Obafemi Martins
Primary Need: Back-up for Ozzy Alonso
With Ozzy, they’re an elite team – maybe a Supporters’ Shield team. If he goes down, though, they’re going to have to rely on Shalrie Joseph, Andy Rose or Brad Evans to be the d-mid. Joseph has no range anymore, while Rose and Evans aren’t real ball winners.
They have to get out of this draft with a pure No. 6, a backline shield.
Targets:Jared Watts (Wake Forest), JJ Koval (Stanford), Joey Dillon (Georgetown), George Fochive (Connecticut), Fifi Baiden (UC Santa Barbara), Romena Bowie (VCU)
Seattle Sounders' Secondary Need: Left back
Leo Gonzalez basically can’t play back-to-back games anymore, especially on turf. With Marc Burch gone, that’s a real problem.
Targets:Ben Sweat (South Florida), Robbie Derschang (Akron), Aodhan Quinn (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
REAL SALT LAKE: Jeff Cassar's first big decisions come in SuperDraft
COLORADO RAPIDS: Five picks in Philly, but no head coach to make them
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS: Generation adidas players are 1st-round targets
PORTLAND TIMBERS: More players on their way from Akron?
CHIVAS USA: In search of another rebuild for the Goats
TORONTO FC: Are the Reds about to become a SuperClub?
MONTREAL IMPACT: Finding depth up top is Klopas' first priority
CHICAGO FIRE: How does big trade impact Fire's draft strategy?
SPORTING KC: Champs have few needs entering SuperDraft
HOUSTON DYNAMO: Kinnear needs help in the back and up top
PHILADELPHIA UNION: Can Hackworth make the most of his 8 picks?
COLUMBUS CREW: Berhalter has a need for speed on the right
NY RED BULLS: Backline shuffle a concern for Supporters' Shield winners
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: Filling the hole left by Juan Agudelo
D.C. UNITED: Olsen faces the biggest decision of them all
