One is Dominic Oduro running fast through the grocery store, celebrating an orange going into a bag like a goal and just well, being fast.

The other is keeper Sean Johnson in the same grocery story. He’s showing off his ability to not let anything get by him. After seeing him stop Blas Perez on a PK last night, I don’t see much else getting by him for a while.

Brek Shea and the US crashed out last night to El Salvador. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Soccer is a cruel sport sometimes. Make no mistake about it.

Yes it was a total collapse in a way by the US U-23 team last night against El Salvador in Nashville. Having a 3-2 lead late into extra time, with just seconds away from being able to move on to the semifinals, the unthinkable happened as El Salvador found a way to get by keeper Sean Johnson for the 3-3 draw.

Johnson will be remembered as the goat of the night as he failed to hold on to the shot Jamie Alas shot from distance. But let’s not blame him here, he certainly wasn’t alone in this. Yes the bobble was terrible but so was the play leading up to it by the US. As were the 10 minutes or so in the first half where coach Caleb Porter failed to get injured keeper Bill Hamid off.

Defending was absolutely pathetic in this tournament, more evident in this match. It was possibly playing three games in five days that did this bunch in, and the fact that Porter really didn’t juggle his lineups nearly enough to combat that issue. By the end of last nights game, the US looked exhausted from front to back.

There is no doubt this is a missed opportunity for the US. Sure this is a youth tournament in some ways but a lot of folks like to believe that a strong Olympic performance can yield a good run in the following World Cup two years later.

Blame will be spread all around and mostly at Porter though for this loss.

But the silver lining in some ways for MLS folks out there is that we’ll see Brek Shea in a Dallas uniform this summer and we’ll see guys like Freddy Adu, Sean Johnson, and Ike Opara with their respective teams as well. Yes it is disappointing not to see the US move on here but that is the game sometimes. We can’t have it all.

So I am moving on from this…it was fun during the Cuba game but after that it was just sad and frustrating to watch.

The 19-player roster will be finalized March 20, the due date for all participating teams to submit their rosters to CONCACAF. The U.S. will compete in Group A which kicks off March 22 at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.

A total of 13 players on the roster come from MLS clubs, with D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union each contributing a pair.

GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United; Annandale, Va.), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire; Lilburn, Ga.)

DEFENDERS (6): Joshua Gatt (Molde; Plymouth, Mich.), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United; Indianapolis, Ind.), Ike Opara (San Jose Earthquakes; Durham, N.C.), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo; Huber Heights, Ohio), Zarek Valentin (Montreal Impact; Lancaster, Pa.), Jorge Villafaña (Chivas USA; Anaheim, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Joe Corona (Club Tijuana; Chula Vista, Calif.), Mix Diskerud (Gent; Oslo, Norway), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz; Richardson, Texas), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union; Sacramento, Calif.), Michael Stephens (LA Galaxy; Naperville, Ill.)

FORWARDS (7): Freddy Adu (Philadelphia Union; Potomac, Md.), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls; Barnegat, N.J.), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund; Berlin, Germany), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City; Prior Lake, Minn.), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim; Silver Spring, Md.), Brek Shea (FC Dallas; Bryan, Texas), Tony Taylor (Estoril Praia; Jacksonville, Fla.)

Andy Najar has proven to be one special player for D.C. United (Getty Images)

The race for MLS’s Rookie of the Year had been an interesting one this season. The talent brought into the league via the SuperDraft and from the league’s increased attention from the homegrown player pool is causing the rookie race to be even tougher than its been before.

One week it looks like its Philadelphia’s Danny Mwanga’s award to lose, the next its New York’s Tim Ream showing how valuable of a pick he was in the second round. Then from nowhere you get guys like forth rounder Sean Johnson in Chicago who start to show a bit of the future there. But in all its really been about one guy, an academy product from D.C. United, midfielder Andy Najar.

Below is how I see the rookie of the year race finishing out this season. Unless something crazy happens in the final weeks I’ll likely be voting in the following manner for my top three (note: I’m listing more for discussion points).

1. Andy Najar (D.C. United) – Like I said its been about this kid for a while now. He’s leading his club is ways we never thought a 17-year old could do in this league. He was also brought along exactly how every young teenager hoping to be in MLS should be brought along. Slow and steady with miles of room to grow without too much hype. Najar has been the lone bright spot for D.C. and one guy the club absolutely has to start building around this winter. Also I find it interesting that Najar may become the league’s first academy signing to win the ROY award. Looks like the league has grown up quite a bit huh?

2. Danny Mwanga (Philadelphia Union) – Injuries have done two things for him, kept him from probably winning this award and second helped keep him in the Generation adidas contract that Philly loves having him in for another year. Seven goals and four assists in his first year show exactly why Philadelphia wanted him at number one last winter. He’s shown he has the scoring touch to be a real asset to the Union in the coming years provided they and the league are able to keep him here.

3. Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls) – Red Bull fans will hope and expect to see Ream win the award this year, and for plenty of good reasons. Ream was a fairly steady rock in the back for Hans Backe who showed he has an eye for young talent in our American soccer system. Ream has played every minute of this season for New York and is likely to go down as one of the best second round draft picks in league history.

4. Michael Stephens (LA Galaxy) – His production and play have taken a bit of a nose dive since the summer but I still believe Stephens deserves some recognition for his play this season. The lone Galaxy draft pick has eight assists on the season, most of them coming when Landon Donovan was out with the US National team.

5. Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) – I always said that Johnson was an absolute steal in the fourth round for the Fire and boy he hasn’t disappointed in the 12 games he’s played so far this year. Once he took over the starting job he showed us all exactly why he has the talent to be one of the best keepers in this league for years to come.

6. Toni Tchani (New York Red Bulls) – It took him a little while to see time in Hans Backe’s system but lately he’s starting to show why the Red Bulls wanted him at number 2 back in January. It hasn’t hurt one bit that he has been pared lately with Rafa Marquez in the midfield either, that’s a duo that is really starting to become one of the best midfield tandems in the league.

7. Zach Loyd/Eric Alexander (FC Dallas) – These two share number seven for me. Both came in on different paths to FC Dallas but both have done a great job in finding their roles with the club. Loyd has seen plenty of minutes this season while Alexander has shown he can be used just about anywhere on the field for Schellas Hyndman.

9. Ike Opara (San Jose Earthquakes) – Injuries derailed his chances at this award back in the summer but believe me Opara will get back to health and be a real force in this league for the Quakes. We saw exactly how good San Jose can be with him too. If he were healthy enough for the playoffs the Quakes would not be a club I’d want to face largely because of Opara.

10. Teal Bunbury (Kansas City Wizards) – Just like with teammate Kei Kamara, once Peter Vermes found out how to use Bunbury properly things paid off for them. I definitely believe he still has a bright future with the Wizards after the four goals he’s put in this season.

11. Zach Schilawski (New England Revolution) – Rookies definitely go hot and cold. Schilawski is just another example of that. His hat trick in April gave Revs fans hope that he would be their saving grace offensively but he’s only had two goals since.

Others worth note: Jack McInereny (Philadelphia); Blair Gavin (Chivas USA); and Ben Zemanski (Chivas USA).

How will the Fire fare going forward in 2010? (Getty Images)

Today is the start of a new series. As teams get into training camp and new players come on board its worth looking into each club to see how they are stacking up and what else they need to do to get ready for the 2010 season. I got this idea from the post I did a few days back on how the Philadelphia Union were looking. I figured it would be good to do something like that to all the clubs.

I’ll go in alphabetical order here with this series. Now I don’t know if it will be a daily thing or what yet, it all depends on my current work schedule but I do plan on getting each club by the end of February.

Keeper:

Who they have: Jon Busch, Sean Johnson (GA), Andrew Dykstra

Notes: Busch is the main guy we know that and with rookie Sean Johnson waiting in the wings with that Generation adidas contract things should be looking pretty bright in this department for years to come. I honestly don’t know much about Dykstra so it wouldn’t be too shocking to hear if the Fire waive him or send him out on loan this year at some point to get him some playing time.

Defense:

Who they have: CJ Brown, Tim Ward, Wilman Conde, Daniel Woolard, Dasan Robinson, Austin Washington, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Krzysztof Król, and Steven Kinney.

Notes: Getting Krol and drafting someone like Watson-Siriboe should make up for the losses of Gonzalo Segares and their lack of depth down the stretch in 2009. Conde will obviously still be the rock in the middle and adding Krol to the outside should work. I’m curious to see if Frank Klopas and Carlos de los Cobos add anything else to this group. Its good but not great right now, maybe one more center back would do the trick to keep Jon Busch from having to come up with big games.

Midfield:

Who they have: Logan Pause, Baggio Husidić, John Thorrington, Marco Pappa, Mike Banner, Justin Mapp, Peter Lowry, Corben Bone, Julio Martínez, and Drew Yates.

Notes: I really like what they’ve done to make up for the losses of Blanco and Chris Rolfe this winter so far. Adding Martinez on loan makes up for Rolfe on the wings and getting lucky in the draft by landing Bone was something else. For some reason I really like this group and hope it turns out to be as good as I think they can be in 2010. I’m very curious to see the development of Husidic in 2010 and I hope Thorringtoncontinues to grow as a player too.

One thing I kind of see happening at some point is a trade involving Justin Mapp. For some reason I get the feeling his time in Chicago is almost up. Just a hunch at this point from me but all I am saying is don’t be shocked if at some point this season we see him in a different uniform.

Forwards:

Who they have: Brian McBride, Patrick Nyarko, Calen Carr, and Stefan Dimitrov.

Notes: I’d say this is the one area Klopas has the most work to do. There are rumors that Collin John could be headed to Chicago. John was a former teammate of McBride at Fulham. I’m not entirely sure if that is the best move for the Fire at this point but they definitely need someone else along with McBride and Nyarko. Someone younger than John would probably be the best fit in my eyes. (ignore that comment on finding someone younger, I thought I read that John was 34, but he is only 24. Wow, it is Friday)

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Overall:

The Fire aren’t looking too bad overall considering the talent they lost this winter and the coaching change. I still have my doubts defensively with this group and I question right now whether or not they have enough offense to remain a top dog in the east. Also with SuperLiga on their schedules again this year I wonder a bit about their depth. On the surface it seems decent enough but a couple more quality moves like Krol and Martinez before the season will put my worries to rest with this group.

Klopas and de los Cobos have done a good job so far this month. Their draft a couple weeks ago was one of the best in the league. Usually a coaching change in the winter will see its ups and downs but seeing how de los Cobos is letting Klopas take control of picking out a good majority of the talent I think this team will be just fine in 2010.

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.

2. New York Red Bulls – Tony Tchani*!, M, Virginia

Yes, as I mentioned the other day I am off the Duka bandwagon. Not because of what people like Ives or other writers out there has said but because of how new GM Eric Soler is handling this draft. He’s looking toward Richie Williams more to help him with this draft and get to know the American players. Smart move Eric. As for Tchani over Opara it comes down to two things: Opara staying in school until May to finish his degree and Tchani was a beast at the Combine.

3. San Jose Earthquakes – Ike Opara*!, D, Wake Forest

The Quakes still land Opara for me though I honestly would be shocked at all if they deal this pick tomorrow. Why? Because for some reason the Quakes haven’t taken the draft serious since they came back into the league. They’d be wise however to hang on and get Opara to improve that horrible defense from last year. But with Opara one has to wonder if his returning to school until May will send him further down this draft list or not.

4. Kansas City Wizards – Teal Bunbury*!, F, Akron

Second-worst in goals scored in 2009 means you need offensive help. Enter Bunbury who is ever bit as good as Mwanga and will benefit from learning off of guys like Claudio Lopez and Josh Wolff.

5. FC Dallas (from Toronto FC) – Corben Bone*!, M/F, Wake Forest

Bone slides back up for me here in the final mock draft. He’s a Dallas product that can contribute early for Schellas Hyndman. That’s key for a coach that really doesn’t want too many more  young players at the moment.

6. FC Dallas – Zach Loyd, M/D, UNC

I asked a two people I knew at the Combine who was one of the most MLS-ready players there and both said Loyd. Go over and read any Combine report from MLS Insider or SBI or Goal.com and they each say great things about Loyd. Big thing that Hyndman will love about Loyd is he can play so many positions. I’m sure he will fit in where ever he is placed in Dallas. (Note: I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Dallas trades this pick to NY so they can get Duka)

7. DC United – Dilly Duka*!, M, Rutgers/U-20

I honestly went back and forth and back and forth again on this pick. Really DC has so many areas that they need help in both offensive and defensive. The thing is with Curt Onalfo on board as head coach I think he leans offensive in this pick. Duka had a solid enough Combine and most agree he’s put himself somewhere in the top ten. Yes I know this pick would drive New York fans nuts.

8. Columbus Crew (from Colorado) – Jack McInerney, F, U-17 MNT

This one may be a stretch but I’ve lots of good things about McInerney from the Combine. It seems like no matter what he was moving up the boards this week and into the top ten. The Crew need a striker and McInerney may be the perfect fit for them here. They could go with Andre Akpan but I think a prospect like McInerney may be too tough to pass up here.

9. New England Revolution – Toni Stahl, M, UConn

I’ve been sitting on this pick for a while and I haven’t come close to changing it. Stahl will be a starter on day one, mark it down.

10. Chivas USA – Amobi Okugo*!, M, UCLA

I came close to moving Okugo up to seven or eight on this board but at the end I decided to stick with what I’ve had for a few weeks here with Chivas. Okugo helps provide some serious cover for the defensive part of the midfield.

11. Seattle Sounders FC – Andre Akpan, F, Harvard

A lot of people said Akpan show the least at the Combine. Sometimes players do that when they go into the Combine with a contract in hand. I see Sigi Schmid snatching him up here in the process though. The Sounders need some attacking help and Akpan brings quality size and speed to the table.

12. Columbus Crew – Blair Gavin*!, M, Akron

Still no change in me with Gavin. He’ll fall anywhere between 10 and 14 from what most are saying and this pick falls right in the middle of that. He’ll bring some solid depth to an already good midfield there in Columbus.

13. Chicago Fire – Kwame Watson-Siriboe, D, UConn

I said last week I was waiting to see exactly what kind of Combine this kid would have. I knew his talents were there and he showed them off very well apparently. He’s played himself into being the second defender taken in tomorrow’s draft. Good thing for the Fire too because we know they need the defensive help here. (Note: He did suffer a pretty bad injury at the Combine, no word on how long it will keep him out.)

14. New York Red Bulls (from Houston) – Austin de Luz, M, Wake Forest

Look for the Red Bulls to make a play on this pick and try to move up in the first round to still get Duka. It wouldn’t shock me at all to see them trade with Dallas at number six to get him but maybe more on that later. If not I think this is where they go to by adding a creative midfielder like de Luz. Yes defense is an issue but my gut feeling is they’ll look outside of MLS to get defensive help this winter.

15. LA Galaxy – Andrew Wiedeman*!, F, Cal

Wiedeman reportedly had the worst Combine of any first round player. I see him slipping this far to Bruce Arena and the Galaxy who will be taking a striker with this pick. We could also see Bruce go for Wake Forest striker Zach Schilawski.

16. Real Salt Lake – Zach Schilawski, F, Wake Forest

If Schilawski goes to the Galaxy just flip the Wiedeman pick here. Either way they go with a striker at 16 as well.

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Second Round

17. Philadelphia Union – Kyle Nakazawa, M, UCLA

Philly adds some midfield pieces here with Nakazawa. Remember assistant coach John Hackworth is very familiar with Nakazawa from his days coaching the 2005 U.S. Under-17 World Cup team.If he’s already taken I could see them grab UCLA’s Michael Stephens here.

18. New York Red Bulls – Drew Yates, M, Maryland

A lot depends on if they do end up trading around to get Duka here but if not I see them adding a guy that really impressed at the Combine. Some will have him going late in the first round but I kind of still see him as a second round selection here.

19. San Jose Earthquakes – Michael Stephens, M, UCLA

No change from last week for me here. I don’t think Stephens played his way into the first round but he’ll still fall somewhere early in the second round. The Quakes would do themselves a favor by taking him too.

20. Kansas City Wizards – Sean Johnson*!, GK, Central Florida

I still love the idea of KC going this direction. Obviously a lot depends on if they still get Bunbury with that first pick but I’d say they still will which means they’ll be able to focus on other areas like the future of their defense with Johnson in goal. He had a good enough Combine to get him selected somewhere early in the second round.

21. FC Dallas (From Toronto) – Paulo da Silva, M, SMU

I kind of expect Dallas to move this pick. If not I still see this happening.

22. Colorado Rapids (From FCD) – Collen Warner, M/F, Portland

Warner may have been able to play himself into the first round at the Combine in some eyes but I still think he falls to Colorado here. He’s a local product from Denver and would be a good fit in the Mile High City.

23. Colorado Rapids (From DC) – Nick Cardenas, D, San Diego State

Another Colorado native the Rapids would be wise to look at here. The Rapids need some defensive cover and with Cardenas’ size they could do no wrong with this pick.

24. Toronto FC (From Colorado) – Ofori Sarkodie, D, Indiana

Will Mo trade up or won’t he that will be the biggest question on everyone’s mind tomorrow. I just have trouble seeing him find a way to get into the first round with so few items to actually trade away. Toronto needs defense though like no other and Sarkodie stock fell a little at the Combine but he’ll still go sometime in the second round here.

25. New England Revolution – Brain Perk, GK, UCLA

I still see New England grabbing a keeper with this pick. Perk has the tools to be a special keeper in this league and he’ll do well to learn under one of the league’s best in Matt Reis.

26. Chivas USA – Justin Morrow, D, Notre Dame

Morrow had a very nice Combine which will help him move into a second round selection tomorrow. Good thing too for Chivas because they do need some defensive help and Morrow will be a great fit for their team. He shows ability to get forward which Martin Vasquez will like.

27. Seattle Sounders FC – Irving Garcia, M, UC-Irvine

Lots of good came out of the Combine for this kid. It was already a second rounder in my mind and I think Seattle will have little issue taking a guy that could end up being one of the better players in this draft. His size isn’t there but the natural ability is impressive.

28. San Jose Earthquakes (From Dallas, RSL) – Chris Schuler, D, Creighton

Schuler dips a little for me in this draft but not too much. He’s a quality defender that should still be a second round selection that the Quakes will take if they don’t deal away this pick.

29. Chicago Fire – Ryan Petterman, D, San Diego

Another defender? Yes and here is why, Petterman is an outside back that loves to get forward. With little attacking options left on the board this is a pick that could really pay off for them.

30. San Jose Earthquakes (From Houston) – Jovan Bubonja, GK, Illinois-Chicago

Apparently he had one of the worst Combines of any keeper. He would have been a possibly first rounder last year and now he is in danger of falling out into the third round this year. San Jose needs a keeper for the future and I still think Bubonja would be a good fit here.

31. New York Red Bulls (From LA) – Two-Boys Gumede, M, UAB

People see him as one of the better wing players in this draft. New York will likely take a gamble here if this pick isn’t traded away.

32. Real Salt Lake – Zachary Herold*!, D, U-17 MNT

Some have Herold almost in the first round and others think he’s barely a second round pick. I still think he falls here to RSL. They’ll take a gamble on him as a prospect player for the future.

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.

2010 WVH Mock Draft

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

1. Philadelphia Union – Corbon Bone*, M/F, Wake Forest

Bone rises up from four to one this time mainly because I see him as a guy that fits a few needs for Philadelphia right away. Not only will he be able to step in and contribute right away but he’s an offensive player that Peter Nowak needs right now. Someone to facilitate things in the midfield.

2. New York Red Bulls – Dilly Duka*!, M, Rutgers/U-20

No change here for New York from last time, I just struggle to see them take anyone else even if Duka isn’t the best player available at this point. Duka wants to be in New York and they’ll make it happen.

3. San Jose Earthquakes – Ike Opara*, D, Wake Forest

Opara slides down to three in my mind right now. Sure New York should grab him at number two but San Jose would love nothing more than to see arguable the best player in the draft slide here. Lots of quality defenders have gone in the three spot over the last couple years like Omar Gonzalez and Tony Beltron.

4. Kansas City Wizards – Teal Bunbury*!, F, Akron

Last time I had Bone here and with him already off the board it makes sense for the Wizards to stay in the offense mind-set with Bunbury. He’s signed with the league as a GA player and would be able to make an impact on day one with the Wizards.

5. FC Dallas (from Toronto FC) – Tony Tchani*, M, Virginia

Tchani slides to number five though I wouldn’t be at all shocked to see Kansas City gobble him at number four. Tchani is a guy that will help out from day one which is why I have him going here. I don’t see Dallas taking two Generation adidas players this year. Schellas Hyndman wants good youth that can contribute right away and Tchani is that.

6. FC Dallas –  Toni Stahl, M, UConn

Even though I have Dallas taking a midfielder at number five I still see Stahl going to Dallas at number six. Some will say Dallas will shop one of the picks but right now something tells me they’ll shop picks in later rounds rather than one of their two first rounders. Stahl adds depth to a midfield that could be losing Dave van den Burgh.

7. DC United – Sean Johnson*, GK, Central Florida

I left him off last week’s mock draft because his signing with the league is still up in the air from what I was hearing at the time. Apparently he is very close to signing now which leads me to believe he will go to DC at number seven. Why DC? I think no matter what they’ll either go with a defender or a keeper. Obviously their keeper situation is a little dicy right now. Johnson could be a starter at day one and he should be a Generation adidas player, which means he won’t count against the salary cap.

8. Columbus Crew (from Colorado) – Andre Akpan, F, Harvard

Last week I had Oregon State’s Danny Mwanga but from reports I’ve seen he’s turned down a few offers that the league has given him to look at trails in Europe. So he’s off the board (for now) and Akpan moves up since the Crew need offense in this draft.

9. New England Revolution – Zach Schilawski, F, Wake Forest

With Akpan moving up the board Steve Nicol will have to look else where to find some offense so enter Wake Forest’s Schilawski. If Akpan doesn’t fall here this is probably where Nicol and company will go, they typically seem to go for ACC players.

10. Chivas USA – Amobi Okugo*, M, UCLA

A very talented prospect that apparently is close to signing a Generation adidas deal with the league. Should he sign look for him to land with Chivas who could use a young talent like him in the midfield. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him on the field a bunch next season if he does end up with Chivas.

11. Seattle Sounders FC – Austin de Luz, M, Wake Forest

I had de Luz going to Chivas last week but he moves one spot down to Seattle. I think he add some depth to their midfield, which is always needed considering the schedule load that the Sounders will get this season with the CCL games.

12. Columbus Crew – Ofori Sarkodie, D, Indiana

Sarkodie falls from the top ten to number 12 but he’ll go to a very good team in the process. I had the Crew taking a defender in last week’s mock draft and I’m sticking with that thought here. Sarkodie is still a day-one starter in my mind, even for the Crew.

13. Chicago Fire – Blair Gavin*!, M, Akron

This pick will more than likely be sorted out better in the coming weeks as we learn who will be coaching this club. Gavin seems like a solid fit for the Fire too as he will provide some needed depth in the midfield. We could also see them go for Wideman or McInerney here.

14. New York Red Bulls (from Houston) – Kwame Watson-Siriboe, D, UConn

I was hot on the Red Bulls will go with a keeper deal last week but after a few changes here I’m staying defensive but going with a center back. Watson-Siriboe will be a starter day-one for this club too.

15. LA Galaxy – Jack McInerney, M, U-17 MNT

I really don’t see any change to this pick from my last mock draft. LA just signed three Brazilian players on loan and adding a Generation adidas player seems logical since he will be kept off the books for the salary cap. I know McInerney is a quality player but I have trouble seeing him go too high in this draft. A lot could change if some at the top don’t sign with the league but for now he seems like a good fit here.

16. Real Salt Lake – Cameron Brown*, M/F, UNC

This is one pick that really is a pure guess on my part at this point. RSL does have a bunch of needs but by sitting at the last spot in the first round really keeps them from grabbing some of the top talent in this draft. I still believe RSL needs offense and will go this direction. Brown is apparently close to a Generation adidas deal here and from what I’ve seen out of him this season he would be a solid pick here for RSL.

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Again, a few changes from last time including the ones at the top. With guys like Danny Mwanga and Luis Gil reportedly going to Europe a few things had to change. I know there are still a few quality players I left off this second mock draft but that could all change if some guys like Tchani, Bone or Opara don’t sign with MLS. Also we have to still consider the coaching changes at Chicago, DC and New York for this draft will shake things up a bit as well.

Jack McInerney is a young player with a bright future.

As I mentioned a week ago I am hoping to get this into a regular thing for at least the next few weeks as we really start to gear up for the 2010 SuperDraft in just a couple (yes only a couple) months away. The response has been pretty solid so far and I’ll be honest a few of you have mentioned some players that I had not heard of yet until now. I’m glad you did because now some of them are going to be making these watch lists.

Today has a heavier focus on some guys that could be in line for a Generation adidas contract this year. I know I’ve already mentioned a couple in my last two posts (round 1 & 2) but today I have a couple more names. Since the US U-20 and U-17 World Cup runs are over now a lot of folks are saying we could see a number of players get offered GA contracts for this year’s draft. I will also start off with two from the U-20 team that were both on the watch list last year for a GA contract.

Again, some of these kids may go the MLS route and some may not. That we will have to wait and see in a few weeks as the college seasons wrap up.

And just like last week, if you know of some guys that are worthy to be looked at here please email me or send their names to me via Twitter so I can include them in the next batch.

Gale Agbossoumonde (Miami FC/US U-20): Now this may not end up being a SuperDraft player as he is playing for the USL/TOA/whatever’s Miami FC right now. But one has to figure that he will get a look at from some MLS clubs that need defensive help. He’s still a little raw but the talent is there and he could possibly still be in line for a Generation adidas contract. Draft or no draft he is a name we all need to keep an eye on.

Sheanon Williams (unattached): He left UNC last year after his sophomore season and has been unattached ever since. Would he still be worth a GA contract or even a late round draft pick? I still believe so. I was pretty high on him last year and he did have some solid play this year with the U-20 World Cup.Why he hasn’t been picked up anywhere is anyone’s guess. I believe he tried to get on somewhere in Europe and failed. It might be time for him to just come to MLS and play.

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Luis Gil (U-17s): We mentioned a couple days ago that Gil is reportedly going the MLS route after the World Cup in Nigeria with the U-17s. Gotta believe he will get a GA contract if that is indeed the case.

Jack McInerney (U-17s): After Gil and the other prized U-17s (Charles Renken, Joseph Gyau), McInerney is probably one of the most talked about. He scored a solid goal against the UAE in the group stages of the Cup and he one of the most consistent shooters of the team (he also scored the lone goal against Spain). He’s got loads of talent and I’d imagine a few MLS clubs would love to have him as a long-term project.

Zac MacMath (Maryland): He’s only a sophomore but lots of people are already talking about him going pro from what I’ve been told. He’s certainly talented but with guys like Brian Perk and Sean Johnson (see below) probably rated above him would he risk going? It all depends on if he gets a GA contract or not I think. Right now there are a lot of quality keepers out there and I kind of think he’d be better off staying at Maryland for another year.

Sean Johnson (U-20s): He was with Central Florida but he saw some time with the U-20s this year but mostly sat on the bench behind Perk. If you haven’t seen this kid its too bad because he has plenty of upside. He reminds me a lot of Chris Seitz with how he handles things in front of the goal. I only hope he goes to a club that actually plays him instead of keeping him locked away on the bench.

Brian Ownby (Virginia): Didn’t see a lot of time with UVa this fall because of his time with the U-20 squad in Egypt. He’s definitely a guy I could see be in line for a GA contract. He’s quick and good on his feet. He’s also a pretty proven scorer which can go a long way on the next level. More than likely I think he will be converted to a wing player on the next level but he certainly knows how to score.

Ofori Sarkodie (Indiana): This senior defender should certainly be high on some draft boards. He doesn’t post monster numbers in terms of goals or assists but what he does do best is clean up in front of his own goal and handle possession pretty darn well. He has pretty good speed and size which is always good to have on the pro level.

Barry Rice (Kentucky): Another senior defender that loads of folks seem pretty high on and for good reason. UK people tell me he is the best defender the school has ever seen. I have a feeling he will have to put on a good show at the MLS Combine but we should see his name called in an early round come January.