Well the first two rounds of the MLS draft took place last week and while many are giving RSL high grades for selecting Enzo Martinez, there are still a lot of questions heading into the pre-season (which for RSL starts next week). Today RSL will finish up their draft by selecting up to 5 players in today's supplemental draft. RSL does have the 6th and 17th pick in the first round of the supplemental draft and I expect that they will look to see if any of the players on their list are still available.
In 2010 RSL picked up Chris Schuler in the 3rd round (which would be the 1st supplemental round) and in 2007 RSL picked up Kyle Reynish in the 4th round of the supplemental draft. The reality is that RSL has been forced to use the draft this year to restock their roster, losing nine players in the off season and with the restrictions of the current salary cap it is likely that more players from the draft will make the final roster than at any time since Kreis/Lagerwey have been in charge.
If you look at the current RSL roster, only Tony Beltran, Chris Schuler, and Kyle Reynish were actually drafted by RSL, as the staff have built the team via trades, international signings, free agents and allocation lotteries. However with salary cap restrictions, and a number of open spots I think it is realistic that RSL might go to camp with at least 7 draft picks and probably 2-3 other players as well. Last year RSL was focused on Champions League in their preseason camp, this year it will be about filling the roster and identifying top talent.
So with the 6th pick in the 1st round of the supplemental draft RSL selects:
Andy Rose:
UNIV. OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
POSITION Midfielder
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 170
DATE OF BIRTH 02/13/1990
HOMETOWN Bristol, England
CITIZENSHIP United Kingdom
The rest of the RSL picks after the jump:
With the 17th pick in the first round of the supplement draft RSL selects:
Emiliano Bonfigi:
YOUTH INTERNATIONAL (ARGENTINA)
POSITION Midfielder
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 148
DATE OF BIRTH 04/15/1988
HOMETOWN Buenos Aires, Argentina
CITIZENSHIP Argentina
With the 17th pick in the 2nd round of the supplemental draft RSL selects:
Oliver Kupe:
He is a 6' 3" forward who played 4 years at Northwestern, here is a video bio clip of him:
and a highlight video:
With the 17th pick in the 3rd round of the supplemental draft RSL selects:
Benjamin Ubierna:
YOUTH INTERNATIONAL (PERU)
POSITION Midfielder
HEIGHT 6-1
WEIGHT 163
DATE OF BIRTH 11/22/1991
HOMETOWN Lima, Peru
CITIZENSHIP Peru
With their final pick (17th) in the 4th round of the supplemental draft RSL, passes.
So they will be bringing 7 draft picks into camp, this could be an exciting opportunity for some young players. I don't know how many of them will make it but clearly with RSL having only a total of 6 international spots and there being more than 6 international players in camp, the competition will be fierce for one of the final spots and a contract.
I expect that we will see at least 1 of our supplemental players make our roster in 2012. My early pick to make the RSL roster will be Oliver Kupe.
OFF MY SOAPBOX