SuperDraft 2019: Breaking down the prospective strikers and attacking midfielders

With the introduction of Homegrown players and the Academy system into the American soccer landscape, Major League Soccer’s annual SuperDraft has taken on — in some respects, and depending on which pundit to whom one listens — lessened importance in the grooming of talent.

However, that is not always the case. Talent is cyclical in every sport. There are down years, and there are good years. That is — in my opinion — the case with this current crop of prospective players up for selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft this Friday afternoon (1 p.m. ET). There are quite a few steals in this year’s draft, including solid finds at all positions.

Let’s start with strikers and attacking midfielders.

STRIKERS/CENTER-FORWARDS

All of the following have good pace/speed, as well as solid skill on the ball. Some, however, are better than others.

Andre Shinyashiki, University of Denver

Shinyashiki has already signed with MLS, so it’s just a matter of where. The Brazilian scored 28 goals for Denver this past fall, by far the most of any of the potential draftees. Of all the video I watched, Shinyashiki communicated the most, dances into the box with ease, and is quite possibly the best in 1-v-1 situations. He did not participate in Saturday’s Combine game, but is expected to take part in Wednesday’s game. I don’t expect him to be around when the Revolution pick at No. 9.

Ryan Sierakowski, Michigan State

He didn’t score Saturday, but he had several opportunities to do so. What I liked about him in film is his aggressive manner in the attacking third. He’s got some power behind his shot, and he can score with both feet. He also has a great first touch.

Harry Swartz, Northeastern/Needham

The former Needham Rocket is listed as a forward, so that’s where we’ll put him. On Saturday, Swartz played out on the wing as well as right back. Swartz missed some time this season with an ankle injury, but when healthy, he’s pretty darn good. He has power, a hard right foot, and is solid on the ball. Defensively, he never gives up when beaten. He showed some good moves as a right back on Saturday, which we really liked; his versatility may come in handy on Friday afternoon.

Santiago Patino, Florida International

He’s a big dude with big power in his legs, but there are questions about his consistency. I noticed his athleticism while watching film, loved his aggressive play in attack as well as solid defending. I think he’s your typical poacher, with tons of upside. We learned Saturday that he was in Orlando City’s Academy, but couldn’t come to a Homegrown deal (at least not yet). Patino had a nice assist Saturday, a right-footer right into space; he also displayed good hold-up play. We think he can be a steal for a team that has patience to further develop him.

Nils Bruening, North Carolina

I am incredibly high on the tall German. Bruening has good instincts on the ball, can use both feet to score — he scored four times in one match against Boston College a couple of years ago — and has a very nice touch when in trouble. He wants it on his right, though. He is a calm, collected player. He had an assist Saturday on a mistake by Maryland goaltender Dayne St. Clair, and scored in the second half on a chip. His age — 25 — may be a hindrance to some, but his polished skill set may be well worth using an international slot.

Amir Bashti, Stanford

The lone Cardinal in the Combine is a late bloomer, having laid in the weeds the last two seasons. He scored twice Saturday, one which coming off a vertical 50-50 ball that he headed into space, chased down and recovered, took a few touches, and buried in the net. By all accounts, Bashti is a magician on the ball; he has good vision, confidence, and athleticism. His work on the ball is solid and tight, and can hold up play with the best. We like his composure and his power. Someone in MLS is going to get considerable value when they pick Bashti.

Sebastian Elney, Maryland

There wasn’t a lot of film on Elney, but what I did see, I liked. He has good movement off the ball, is athletic, and whenever he got on the ball, Terrapin fans expected good things to happen. And when he scored, he would do the Ezekiel Elliot “Feed me” hand motions. He had some positive touches on the ball Saturday in the first Combine game. He’s tall, built like Jalil Anibaba, and has a solid right foot.

Abdou Mbacke Thiam, Connecticut

His age — 27 — may be a dissuader to a lot of clubs. The Senegalese forward, though, is nearly a complete player. He has power, pace, can do magical things on the ball, and has great vision to find the open teammate. If a defense gives him space, look out. Our sources in the Nutmeg State say that he is unselfish in his play, and likes to pass first if he has the opportunity to give up the ball. He scored 11 goals for the Huskies this year.

DeJuan Jones, Michigan State

Jones scored the opener Saturday. He has a lot of the things you want up top: pace, skill, power, vision, athleticism. We saw solid defending in film, cracking back to dispossess. Jones can also play out on the wing. Would like to see more from him in Wednesday’s games.

Shinyi Kadono, California

Another versatile player who can play up top and out on the wings. He’s athletic, balanced on the ball, and uses a lot of vertical passes. Can use both feet well, has good reactions and a neat first touch. I love his motor; he doesn’t stop moving! We didn’t get to see much of him Saturday. He’s a dangerous player and can make defenses pay for lackadaisical play.

Mamadi Camara, Simon Fraser University (British Columbia)

He’s your classic No. 9 with a solid first touch. He’s a tall 23-year-old with all the intangibles. He can play defense, too, which was huge in his highlight film. On Saturday, he had a burst of acceleration on the ball, showing off his wheels.

Simon Enstrom, Boston College

Simon’s film was one of the first I watched. He has power from distance, a good right foot, can crack back on defense. He didn’t see much of the ball Saturday. A big young man.

Eduvie Ikoba, Dartmouth

Quite possibly the tallest forward at 6-foot-4, but he’s athletic, has good hold-up play. He has a Jozy Altidore-type body. One thing going against him, quite possibly: he reportedly forgot his jersey at the hotel Saturday, and just had to wear a black, number-less t-shirt. I’d hate to see his draft stock fall because of that.

Tajon Buchanan, Syracuse/Generation Adidas player

Buchanan is described as a flashy player and a playmaker. He’s solid in 1-v-1 situations, and just makes things happen. We didn’t get to see much of him with the ball on Saturday. At 20, he’s pretty polished.

Rashawn Dally, Quinnipiac

A Jamaican U20 player, he uses a great burst of pace, is a versatile playmaker, and has good hold-up play.

Janos Loebe, Fordham

Loebe has a knife-edge right foot that he used to score a goal Saturday. He can also play in the midfield.

Kyle Coffee, Washington

Coffee may have good pace, but we didn’t see a lot in his film, nor in his play Saturday. That could change on Wednesday.

Players we didn’t see film on: Griffin Dorsey, Indiana; JJ Williams, Kentucky. Both are Generation Adidas players.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS

Peter-Lee Vassell, Harbour View FC (Jamaica)

Apparently, one of the more professional-ready players, seeing as he plays pro in Jamaica. The Caribbean Combine winner. He has solid pace, plays a high line, and can also play as an attacking midfielder. He has international experience for the Jamaican senior national team, and has played in quite a few Nations League matches. Really good on the ball Saturday.

Siad Haji, Virginia Commonwealth/Manchester, N.H./Generation Adidas

Potentially the No. 1 pick in the draft (should FC Cincinnati have room for a GA player on its roster) or near the top, Haji can be a No. 10 or play out on the right wing. He has solid movement with the ball in space and creates space with his first touch; we like his high skill ability and his precision passing, much like he showed Saturday when he found Buchanan. His passes are heads-up, looking for the open man.

Moshe Perez, University of Denver

Someone had to feed Shinyashiki all those goals. Enter Perez. Perez is versatile, skillful. In fact, he makes up for his pace with his skill. He has good vision in his passing, and can use both feet. Has a strong right.

Hugo Delhommelle, Syracuse

Quite possibly one of the best overall attacking midfielders we saw on film last week. One of the things we noted about his highlight film? It was all about creation and defense, with the goals saved for the end. He may be one of the better set piece takers in the draft, a solid all-around player. He stays with his man when dispossessed, using solid defense to harry opponents. We’re really high on the Frenchman.

Hassani Dotson, Oregon State

Dotson, a native of Federal Way, Wash. — Kelyn Rowe’s hometown — has good pace out of the central part of the midfield. He can unlock defenses with his skill as well as his vertical passing. Also pretty good in defense.

Tucker Bone, Air Force Academy

Bone raised some eyebrows Saturday, but will it be for naught? There is a question of his service commitment upon graduation from Colorado Springs, so that may give clubs pause. Outside of that, what a player. He’s a workhorse in the middle, making things happen. We like his left, and his pass to Bruening was pretty sweet, too.

Joey Piatczyc, West Virginia

Piatczyc is a solid right attacking midfielder who utilized a nifty cross Saturday to Loebe for a goal. He’s skilled out on that right wing and has good pace, and don’t forget his solid vertical passes to teammates. We like his first touch, too.

Robbie Mertz, Michigan

Dejan Kovacevic will want to keep his ears open Friday: Mertz is a born and bred Yinzer from Pittsburgh proper. He’s a left side attacking midfielder with pace, a really good left foot, a good first touch, and a power strike with his right. We also think he’s a poacher.

Joel Rydstrand, Creighton

Rydstrand is a skilled, versatile midfielder who can play in the middle or out on the left. He plays good vertical balls, and is a pass-first-type of player. He will, however, have a go from distance with his right.

Sergio Rivas, Seattle University

We liked what we saw out of Rivas. He’s got a motor who uses neat finishes in scoring. He has power in his right, along with solid skill.

Amar Sejdic, Maryland

Sejdic scored on his college teammate, St. Clair, on Saturday. He has all the intangibles: he’s athletic with a powerful right foot, and can deliver long vertical balls.

Players who did not have film include Frankie Amaya, a Generation Adidas player out of UCLA; Camden Riley from the University of the Pacific; Emil Cuello from Southern Methodist.

Tomorrow: Defensive midfielders and defenders