The 2010 Crew look a lot like the 2009 Crew, does that mean another Supporter's Shield is on the way? (Getty Images)

I had hoped to get this post out of the way earlier in the day but some issues on the back end of my site kept me busy all day (some PHP bug!). But I felt like it was still alright to move on with out look at each Major League Soccer club and how they are doing this offseason.

Today we go back east and look at the two time defending Supporter’s Shield champion Columbus Crew.

The offseason hasn’t been too busy for the Crew but they were able to make some big noise at the SuperDraft with a couple of their selections. Continue Reading…

So after a few weeks of doing this mock draft it is time for the fifth and final one. Weeks of speculation have come to this as tomorrow the league will hold its annual draft. I’ve gone back and forth for weeks over how teams will pick tomorrow and there is a chance I may be right about a few of them.

Unlike years before it seems like the draft order we have for the first couple rounds is what we will get tomorrow. Not many clubs seems to be trading with one another yet but as we all know anything could change tomorrow with just one single trade.

Two teams to keep an eye on though are Dallas and Toronto. I’ve heard for a while TFC really wants to trade up and get Bunbury early in the draft. That means they’ll need either NY or San Jose’s pick. As for Dallas I could see them deal one of their picks to NY so they can get Dilly Duka.

So with no more delay I give you my final mock draft. Feel free to leave you comments below.

2010 WVH Mock Draft

(* = underclassmen)
(! = Generation adidas signing)

1. Philadelphia Union – Danny Mwanga*!, F, Oregon State

No change here, Mwanga was not at the Combine because he was told he would be the first pick. The kid will have some serious pressure to produce though with the reports going around that his Generation adidas deal is worth near $200,000. Continue Reading…

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! Only two weeks left until the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. A little time has passed since the last Mock Draft but a lot has changed in terms of Generation adidas signings which will cause some changes at the top of the order. I’ve also had a chance to speak with a few folks around the league about their club’s selections which has helped change a couple things here and there as well.

There are a few things that still aren’t clear because of a couple club’s coaching situations. Both New York and Chicago are still a bit dicy in where they could go right now in this draft. Some don’t agree with what I’ve said about New York taking Dilly Duka with their first pick considering how much help they really need right now. I’m still standing by that pick until someone with the club gives me a better reason not to predict it here.

Anyways, below is the third edition of the WVH Mock Draft. Feel free to leave you comments below.

2010 WVH Mock Draft

(* = underclassmen)
(! = Generation adidas signing)

1. Philadelphia Union – Danny Mwanga*!, F, Oregon State

In my first mock draft I didn’t have enough together on this kid but the more I read into, watched film of him and talked with folks around the league the clearer it became, this kid is special. So special that its been reported that he has signed the highest GA contract that the league has ever given out. Now that’s not be the full reason why I am jumping him to the top spot. No, folks in Philly have told me Peter Nowak and company are very high on him and are wanting to take him first overall right now. Continue Reading…

Danny Mwanga could be a top five pick.

As of today we have four quality players in the 2010 Generation adidas class but soon enough we could have a few more. Both SBI and Buzz Carrick are reporting that multiple big names could be joining the already impressive class for next month’s draft.

SBI mentions that Wake Forest duo Ike Opara and Corben Bone are close to reaching agreements with MLS on Generation adidas deals, as is Virginia midfielder Tony Tchani. Carrick throws out the bigger mention though with what could be the top overall pick in Oregon State striker Danny Mwanga.

But that isn’t all folks. According to Ives two others have signed with the league with another close to joining them. Central Florida goalkeeper Sean Johnson, Cal striker Andrew Wiedeman and UCLA freshman phenom Amobi Okugo are expected to join the 2010 GA class shortly. The league is waiting on finalizing the deals with these three before they make any sort of formal announcement, though I am told it could come as early as next Monday.

Before my last Mock Draft it was being reported that Mwanga was headed to Europe but as of late Monday evening Mwanga is signing with the league according to Carrick. No doubt that change will have to be reflected in my next Mock Draft. Some have him rated high enough to go number one while others see him as at least a top five pick. With the news from Ives that he is getting the highest GA contract in the league history you gotta figure he will at least be somewhere in the top three.

If the league is able to get all the deals worked out here it could put this draft class at 11 players, making it a fairly large GA class. Last few years we’ve seen anywhere between eight and ten players to a GA class. There still could be one or two more additions to this class before it is all said and done too.

I wasn’t planning on updating the Mock Draft until at least next week but if some news breaks about this class like I think it may before the end of the week we could see another update. Stay tuned!

I know version 1.0 was released just last week but a lot has changed since then in terms of players signing with the league and some not signing with the league. With the recent news of a few Generation adidas signings plus a few other rumors out there about other potential signings things needed to be reflected here.

There are changes at the top too. I had said before that I wasn’t totally sold on Philadelphia taking Ike Opara as the top pick and today that change is reflected because of it. I do believe he is still the best player but their needs aren’t in defense right now. It is possible that someone could trade up to that number one spot (maybe Toronto) too.

A lot of things also rest on what New York actually does with their pick at number two. Some believe they won’t take Dilly Duka while some folks like myself can’t see anything but that happening.

Anyways, below is the second edition of the WVH Mock Draft. Feel free to leave you comments below. Continue Reading…

A couple more draft notes to pass along this evening. We’ve caught wind thanks to the league’s MLS Insider’s blog that three players have signed Generation adidas contracts and two college seniors have signed with the league for next month’s SuperDraft as well.

Two of the three GA signings should be no surprise as they are Teal Bunbury of Akron and Dilly Duka of the U-20 National team fame.

The third is another Akron star, midfielder Blair Gavin. He recorded 5 goals and 3 assists this season. Gavin was a member of the U-18 National Team pool and attended high school at the IMG Academy.

We heard earlier in the week that UConn senior midfielder Toni Stahl had signed with the league and now it is more official. He and UNC defender/midfielder Zach Loyd have signed with the league. Both could be first round picks in the draft.

With this news and probably more news that will come out next week about the draft I would imagine I’ll have to update the mock draft with this information. Stay tuned!

Is Wake Forest's Ike Opara (far left) going to be the top pick?

We’re about a month out of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft and the draft coverage here on WVHooligan continues to heat up. This will be the first of a few mock drafts that I will conduct over the next few weeks leading up to the draft.

Now a lot can and will change between now and then between the order of teams picking, players coming out of college or staying, or guys heading to Europe instead of MLS. I know the Generation adidas class hasn’t been announced but its worth taking a stab at things. Also keep in mind that some players are underclassmen and they may not come out for the draft. But I will do my best to keep you all updated on that news as it comes out.

2010 WVH Mock Draft

(* = underclassmen)

1. Philadelphia Union – Ike Opara*, D, Wake Forest

Part of me thinks Philly won’t go for Opara if he comes out but seeing how he is arguably the best player (potentially) in this draft class it’s hard not to take him with the first pick. I still think we could see him slide to number three with San Jose though and Union take someone that would fill a need in their midfield like Opara’s teammate Corbon Bone. Just a hunch but for now I’ll stick with Opara at the top spot. Continue Reading…