Philadelphia Union's 2011 MLS SuperDraft

The Philadelphia Union has positioned itself nicely for the future with its choices in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, which is what a team should do in the draft. The Union picked in the fifth spot in each of the three rounds of the SuperDraft, and selected Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath in the first round, North Carolina midfielder Michael Farfan in the second, and University of Maryland Baltimore County forward Levi Houapeu in the third. What does this mean for the Union's future?

Union fans are still talking about goalkeeper Chris Seitz's unsuccessful tenure in Chester (time to let it go, folks) and his subsequent loss via the expansion draft, leaving Brad Knighton as the only goalkeeper on the roster (third goalkeeper Bryan Perk was waived in the middle of the 2010 campaign and is now with the L.A. Galaxy). Rumors about the signing of Colombian national goalie Faryd Mondragon, last under contract and playing for 1. FC Köln in Germany, have been swirling around for a few weeks now. While the signing remains unconfirmed by the Philadelphia front office, it is widely considered a done deal. If that is the case, Mondragon would undoubtedly start for the Union, ceding playtime to Knighton and mentoring both Knighton and MacMath on the finer points of playing under the goalposts. Mondragon is an experienced, able goalie who will provide security and strong direction to the Philadelphia defense. Knighton and MacMath are exciting young prospects who will benefit tremendously from Mondragon's tutelage, and when he leaves, which I would expect would be no later than the 2014 season, the then-23-year-old MacMath will be a rising star in the league. If Knighton fluorishes, he may attract the attention of European teams which would mean a decent payoff for the Union. If Mondragon does not stay until 2014, Knighton will have his chance for the Union as the starter, and MacMath will learn from Knighton as well. Expect Knighton to play around 8-10 games as the Philadelphia starter in 2011, and to see MacMath play in exhibition games and perhaps get one or two chances under goal.

In 22-year-old Farfan, the Union have a young midfielder with vision, skills, and speed. If Philadelphia is successful in keeping Roger Torres around, they will have a powerfully creative midfield a la Xavi & Iniesta (I know, I know...) to create from the middle-third of the field and feed balls to Union strikers. The Union is stockpiling exciting young talent with Okugo, Nakazawa, Torres, Farfan, and 15-year-old Zach Pfeffer, who impressed at the training academy of German club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim recently. While it would be exceedingly difficult for all these players to become stars and/or remain with Philadelphia, the prospects are exciting, and the Union has used its first two drafts very wisely to position itself for the long term. Farfan will get significant playing time off the bench in 2011, alternating with Torres to provide the Union fresh creative legs and vision. I would not be surprised, based on what we have heard about him, to see him move into a starting role with the team late in the year.

Levi Houapeu is only 21-years-old and has led the NCAA in scoring over the past two years. He is a speedy flanker who can play inside the eighteen yard line and from behind it. With LeToux, Mwanga, and McInerney, the Union appears to have four capable strikers available. If LeToux continues his excellent form, McInerney and Houapeu will take turns providing additional speed and a scoring touch. Mwanga will see the lion's share of minutes with LeToux, but needs to develop a better first touch, especially with his back to the net. Once he does, and there is every indication that he will, Mwanga will be a monster scoring threat every game, and will attract European attention as well. Again, the Union will have players to take Mwanga's place as McInerney and Houapeu mature. Houapeu will see sporadic action in 2011, but could work his way to reliable substitute.

So what else does the Union need, personnel-wise? Philadelphia needs a central defender who can provide discipline and rule the airspace inside the home and away eighteen-yard lines. A mature attacking midfielder to tutor young talent would be a good move, and an attacker in the mold of Spain's Raul, who can strike suddenly and consistently and make defenses worry all the time about his presence, or like Dutchman van Nistelrooy, who can be an imposing physical presence with a finishing touch. If rumored acquisition and current FC Nurnbeg attacking midfielder Marek Mintal makes the move across the Atlantic, Philadelphia will have the pieces in the midfield to make a run into the playoffs.

Lastly, remember those three million dollars per year from jersey sponsor Bimbo (say Beem-bo)? Philadelphia will use some of that money to get the attacking presence they need, and it will be a name the Union faithful will be happy with.