2016 MLS Final Mock Draft

by TopDrawerSoccer

January 13, 2016

ROUND 1

ORDER	TEAM	NAME	COLLEGE	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT
1		Joshua Yaro*	Georgetown	D	5-11	163
Rumors are building out of Chicago that the Fire are angling to deal this pick, which would make sense given the status of their roster. If they keep it or not, Yaro still seems like he could hold onto the top spot, as the Fire look to improve their back line. Look for either Harrison or Vincent to get picked here if a trade is made.
2		Fabian Herbers*	Creighton	F	6-0	170
Boosting the team's attack with Herbers would certainly help the Rapids, as he's someone who could feature in either a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 and can score/create chances in front of goal. They could also go with everyone's favorite left back in Brandon Vincent or look at Jack Harrison.
3		Brandon Vincent	Stanford	D	5-11	175
Philadelphia would be thrilled if they don't have to trade up to select Vincent. The left back may not have the ceiling as some of the other players here, but the general consensus is that he'd be a solid pro for a long time in a position that seems difficult to fill in MLS.
4		Jack Harrison*	Wake Forest	M	5-9	155
Subject to an NYCFC homegrown claim, Harrison could end up falling into the laps of the second-year club anyways. While improving their defendse is surely a big focus, the opportunity to add the dynamic winger to the New York club would be one they couldn't pass up.
5		Richie Laryea*	Akron	M	5-9	150
With a couple of aging midfielders in Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales, picking Laryea here would add a promising and talented young midfielder to the fold in Salt Lake City. Laryea has to carve out a position for himself at the next level in order to blossom, and learning from that veteran pair will only help his chances of success.
6		Ben Polk	Syracuse	F	5-9	175
After addressing its back line in with the third pick, Philadelphia could add something to its offense with addition of Polk. While he may not be able to hit the ground running in March, a few months in the USL would likely help the transition.
7		Julian Buescher*	Syracuse	M	5-10	170
Questions are following Buescher as he prepares to make the transition to MLS about where he fits best into a midfield, but he's a talented passer who has the pedigree to cope with the demands of a higher level. He could add creativity to Orlando in behind Kaka, which would certainly help the team's attack. If he can handle defensive duties deeper in central midfield, Orlando's 4-2-3-1 formation would be a good fit for the German.
8		Keegan Rosenberry	Georgetown	D	5-8	160
While the Quakes have been busy addressing needs in different positions, outside back remains relatively light on the roster. Rosenberry is one of the premier right backs in the draft pool who could certainly add something to the team in 2016.
9		Jonathan Campbell	North Carolina	D	6-2	188
Toronto has been one of the busiest teams in the offseason, looking to improve on its 2015 finish. Picking ninth overall, they likely aren't going to grab someone who will see a lot of minutes right away this season. Adding a defender like Campbell and placing him on the USL team would improve the team's depth in central defense.
10		Jordan McCrary	North Carolina	D	5-9	165
Like other teams, New England could use assets in a few spots on the field. Picking McCrary provides a versatile defender who is likely to be able and see the field right away, boosting its options at the right and left back spots.
11		Kyle Fisher	Clemson	D	6-0	176
Sporting KC adds an experienced college defender in the first round of the SuperDraft. Fisher led Clemson to an appearance in the National Championship game after a standout senior season. Fisher missed a few games in his final college season due to compartment syndrome, but he was very durable prior to that threatening injury. He started and played in every game during his first three seasons with the Tigers. His college coaching staff gushes about his qualities even in a conference full of MLS-quality defenders.
12		Tony Alfaro	Cal State Dominguez Hills	D	6-2	190
LA Galaxy go after a local player with their first pick of the 2016 SuperDraft. Tony Alfaro is a center back with a good soccer brain. Alfraro played his collegiate soccer at Cal State Dominguez Hills, where the StubHub Center is located. He was successful there as well as with his PDL side Ventura County Fusion.
13		Omar Holness*	North Carolina	M	6-0	174
The center midfielder from North Carolina comes off the board with D.C. United's selection. Holness's strength come from his ability to control the game from the center of the field. He is a good passer and a quality defender off the ball. He needs some time before he can really be counted on, but would be a nice pickup for a United team lacking midfield depth.
14		Michael Salazar	UC Riverside	F	5-11	165
Salazar has seen his stock rapidly ascend in the days leading up to the draft, as he put together a number of strong performances at the MLS Combine in Florida. Salazar is a unique talent in a depleted position for this draft. He could be a hot commodity for teams looking at forwards.
15		James Moberg	Washington	M	6-2	185
The Sounders would be pretty happy with the draft if Washington standout James Moberg dropped to them at No. 15. Moberg only played in six games as a senior before a knee injury ended his final campaign prematurely. Moberg was the driving force of that team, and could be the future of the Sounders midfield if he gets back to the level he has shown in the past.
16		Alex Morrell	North Florida	F	5-7	135
Morrell collected a number of honors as a senior with North Florida. He was a dominant force in the Atlantic Sun in 2015. He continued that hot streak in the MLS Combine, which caught the eye of the MLS coaches on hand. Morrell certainly benefits from the lack of depth among the forwards, and he could be a prospect that Whitecaps develop for the future.
17		Andrew Tarbell*	Clemson	GK	6-3	194
Tarbell is the final Generation adidas player off the board. The benefit of Generation adidas can go a long way for teams with the budget on the mind. Tarbell could be nice cover in case a Liga MX side puts in an offer for starter Jesse Gonzalez.
18		Zachary Carroll	Michigan State	D	6-3	187
The Michigan State center back had a standout college career and should be a solid option for any team in the first round. Carroll could be nice cover for the New York Red Bulls at center back in his debut season and eventually develop into a starter in the future.
19		Cole Seiler	Georgetown	D	6-1	180
Seiler is the smart soccer player that has succeed with Columbus Crew until the watchful eye of head coach Gregg Berhalter. Seiler has been a part of one of the best defenses in college soccer for the past few seasons.
20		Dennis Castillo	VCU	D	5-10	160
The college center back from VCU projects more as a right back and would be a nice depth pickup for the Timbers. He has the quaity to play in head coach Caleb Porter's style of play, and would have the chance to continue developing with Portland's USL team.

ROUND 2

ORDER	TEAM	NAME	COLLEGE	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT
21		Michael Gamble	Wake Forest	M/F	5-7	150
22		Justin Bilyeu	SIUE	D	6-2	175
23		Chase Minter	Cal Poly	M/F	5-9	150
24		Patrick Hodan	Notre Dame	M	5-9	155
25		Todd Wharton	Virginia	M	6-0	170
26		Eric Verso	Syracuse	M	5-10	160
27		Taylor Washington	George Mason	D	5-10	170
28		Colin Bonner	UNC Wilmington	F	6-4	215
29		Max Lachowecki	Notre Dame	D	5-10	155
30		Zachary Mathers	Duke	M	5-11	172
31		Timo Pitter	Creighton	M	5-9	150
32		Kyle Parker	Charlotte	F	5-10	155
33		Hadji Barry	UCF	F	5-11	160
34		C. Nortey	Marquette	F	5-8	145
35		Liam Doyle	Ohio State	D	6-4	200
36		Tsubasa Endoh	Maryland	M	5-7	141
37		Ty Thompson	Stanford	M	5-8	165
38		Callum Irving	Kentucky	GK	6-1	190
39		Thomas Libiih	International	D	6-1	160
40		Amass Amankona	Dayton	M	5-7	-
41		Malcolm Harris	UMBC	D	5-8	155