January 5, 2010 MLS--SuperDraft holds intriguing prospects for Toronto FC (from TorontoFC.ca)

TORONTO -- Major League Soccer will hold the 2010 MLS SuperDraft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on January 14th.

"First overall is all but written in stone with Danny Mwanga," according to Sean Keay, a freelance SuperDraft expert who will be covering the draft and MLS Players Combine from Fort Lauderdale, January 8-12 for Soccer Three Sixty.

Toronto FC does not have a first round pick in the draft as of today. Their pick was traded to FC Dallas for Canadian international defender Adrian Serioux last year. But it is still a very important SuperDraft for the future of Major League Soccer, which can have implications for Toronto.

"This draft is out of this world. I didn't think anything could get close to last year's draft, but with 12 Generation Adidas players plus 5-10 Seniors who are ready to step in, makes the first round, picks 1-16, exceptional," says Keay.

"Plus the second round is chock full of talent."

Generation Adidas players do not count against a team's salary cap, which adds to the appeal alongside their football talent.

The projected top pick, Mwanga, was born in Congo. He is an 18-year old forward out of Oregon State University where he was the 2009 Pac-10 Player of the Year.

Of Canadian interest in the melee, Keay notes, that "Teal Bunbury is in the top five for sure, probably to Kansas City where his father played."

The senior Bunbury, Alex, is a Canadian soccer legend, who played 159 matches for Marítimo in Portugal, scoring 59 goals before ending his career in MLS with the Wizards. His son Teal is a standout from the University of Akron and a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy finalist as the top U.S. college soccer player.

Another interesting story emerging out of the SuperDraft is the development of American midfielder Dilly Duka. The Rutgers University player is so enveloped in his New Jersey upbringing that he could be the subject of a Bruce Springsteen song.

"There is a lovefest between Dilly Duka and the New York Red Bulls right now," said Keay. The Montville native would become an instant fan favourite with the Harrison, New Jersey club if selected by the Red Bulls, which Keay believes may require them to make a deal unless NYRB deem him good enough to select at the number two spot.

Keay also observed a point of pride and major progress for the North American game highlighted by the talent pool in the 2010 SuperDraft.

"Only one player who was invited to the combine is not attending. But none of the big names said 'no' and opted for Europe."

"Seeing young North American players stay and work through the system that was designed for them should make local soccer fans very optimistic about the future of the game and the league."

Last year Toronto picked up goalkeeper and 2009 Rookie of the Year finalist Stefan Frei, midfielder Sam Cronin and O'Brian White in the first round. All three players figured prominently on TFC last season.

This year the Reds have just two picks in the second and fourth rounds but the rumour mill has been active about Mo Johnston's intentions.

"I was hoping for a TFC run at the top pick but from what I gather the price is a bit high," opined Keay.

Johnston is holding his cards so close to his chest that there is little room for speculation. Whatever Toronto does produce, Johnston's record in the SuperDraft is second to none, having selected the likes of Marvell Wynne, Jozy Altidore and Maurice Edu in previous drafts before the triple steal of 2009.

Sean Keay started covering the SuperDraft on The Footy Blog for The Score. Since then his work has evolved into freelance SuperDraft expertise. You can read his mock draft and follow coverage of the MLS Players Combine and SuperDraft by clicking here.

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