RSL and the SuperDraft from 2010 to 2013: Pick, pool quality improves

2010

Collen Warner (15th Overall)

Warner is one of a handful of Colorado Rapids U-23 players RSL has sniped over the years. Growing up in Denver, the midfielder spent two seasons with the Rapids youth squad before transferring to the Timbers' equivalent during his college years at University of Portland.

Out off many RSL draft picks over the years, Warner was one of only a few that featured prominently for the team in his first seasons. His promise of becoming an eventual starter was especially seen during the 2011 season as he scored five assists and made considerable progress in his development. Two of those assists came on both goals of a 2-0 win at New England in April.

His time in Utah was cut short as that pesky Expansion Draft struck once more. Montreal selected him to assist in their inaugural year.

Where is he now: As the 2013 season was to be his final year of contract with Montreal, Warner extended his deal last February for at least one more season.

Justin Davis (32nd Overall)

Davis spent four years playing for the Lobos of New Mexico during college. He also featured in 11 matches for PDL's Des Moines Menace during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

Being drafted by RSL looked like it would keep the Arizona native in his southwest/mountain roots, but he was never signed to a contract during the preseason. Davis was subsequently picked by the NSC Minnesota Stars (now Minnesota United FC) for the start of the 2011 campaign where he was converted from an attacking player to left back. He featured in the forgettable 3-1 US Open Cup win over RSL that same season.

Where is he now: He's made 73 appearances for Minnesota over three seasons, and that looks to continue in 2014 as he's cemented himself as a permanent fixture on the back line.

Chris Schuler (39th Overall)

Along with Tony Beltran, Schuler is another of the few success stories from the Superdraft. The 2011 season was his first to feature prominently as he racked up over 1600 minutes and 16 starts in 20 matches. Stress fractures in his left foot in 2012 reduced his minutes drastically to just 944. Surgery was necessary to repair the injury and ruled him out for much of that season.

His 2013 season started off on another bad foot, literally, as the beginning of fractures were found in the same areas as last time. Luckily the early diagnosis saved him from the blade. In late summer, Schuler made it back to the starting lineup for the first time in months. His two goals scored in the MLS Cup Playoffs -- first against Los Angeles and then against Portland -- aided RSL to the Cup Final. His partnership with Nat Borchers is developing smoothly, and Schuler will be an important asset to the back line for the 2014 season.

Where is he now: Real Salt Lake.

Kris Banghart (64th Overall)

The second of the Denver natives selected by RSL in 2010, Banghart was a central defender from Denver University. He was never offered a contract by the club and was released in the preseason.

Where is he now: Banghart immediately joined Fort Collins Soccer Club where he is currently the Assistant Director of Coaching.

2011

Jared van Schaik (52nd Overall)

The lone pick for RSL in the Superdraft that year, van Schaik was selected in the third round. He spent his entire youth, club, and college careers in his hometown of Portland. Like several before him, he was not offered a contract by the club and was released in preseason.

His first professional spell came the same year with the now-defunct Puerto Rico Islanders of the NASL. For 2013, he dropped another level in the pyramid where he signed for the Charleston Battery. Van Schaik was featured in the US Open Cup match at Rio Tinto Stadium against RSL in 2013, providing an assist on one of the Battery goals.

Where is he now: He appears set to make another run for the Battery in 2014.

2012

Enzo Martinez (17th Overall)

The Generation Adidas player was a surprise at the 17th pick after being pegged by many pundits to come in at a higher rank. RSL felt the need to snatch him up when he fell that far, betting he'd be a steal and taking advantage of his higher salary not factoring into the cap.

Martinez, a native of Uruguay, was crucial for the University of North Carolina's run to the NCAA championship the previous season. Everyone expected the most out of him in MLS, but he featured for RSL in zero first team matches and was relegated to reserve duty for the entirety of the 2012 season. Last year started the same way, but his development was aided by a loan to NASL side Carolina Railhawks. Martinez made 15 appearances for Carolina, and scored three goals in that time.

Where is he now: News dropped a few days ago that the RSL had waived the midfielder. Although signs point to him joining Carolina on a permanent basis, rumors are circulating that he's looking at options in Uruguay as well.

Diogo de Almeida (24th Overall)

A Brazilian out of Southern Methodist University, de Almeida converted first from forward to midfielder, then from midfielder to left back. RSL was in need of outside back depth at the time, and de Almeida was initially looking to be a good choice.

When it was known that Vancouver would be willing to trade their 21st overall pick (Chris Estridge, another defender) to RSL, the Brazilian was released. He trialled with and featured for FC Dallas in a reserve match, but was never signed.

Where is he now: Returning to the Dallas area, he is currently unemployed in the arena of soccer, but is eager to jump at another chance in the professional ranks. If you follow his twitter page, you'll find he's still supporting the club that drafted him.

Sebastian Velasquez (36th Overall)

Many will remember the news and videos surrounding this kid during the draft/combine in 2012. Moving from Medellín, Colombia to South Carolina, Velasquez was a phenom at Spartanburg Methodist College where he scored an insane 55 goals and added 33 assists in a mere 33 games for the Pioneers. It was clear he was playing well below his skill level, but the spike in his profile no doubt contributed to his draft prospects.

Velasquez made a memorable start for the 2012 season when he (almost) scored a goal against the defending champs Los Angeles in the opening match of the season. It was later called an own goal, but the technically-gifted midfielder has proven himself worthy of a starting role in the club's future.

Where is he now: Real Salt Lake.

2013

John Stertzer (12th Overall)

Stertzer was listed high on many mock drafts after the University of Maryland's successes in 2012. He had the skills needed to play at any point of the midfield diamond, and that versatility was part of the reason he was selected.

Stertzer's debut was off the bench versus DC United in a 1-0 loss. His only other MLS regular season appearance was in the 2-0 home loss to FC Dallas in April. However, any chance to prove himself beyond this in 2013 was put to an end in late May as he dislocated his shoulder in a reserve league match and was put on the IR for four to six months.

Where is he now: 2014 will be another chance for Stertzer to showcase his talents for RSL. He should be fully recovered for the preseason, and could play an important role for the club, especially during the World Cup.

Devon Sandoval (29th Overall)

Big Dev, as he's known, has made a name for himself in Utah in only a single season. His time at University of New Mexico aided the Lobos to conference championships in 2011 and 2012. Sandoval was the team leading scorer both of those years, and was on the NCAA top ten scorer list in 2012.

His year with RSL was capped by multiple goals in the US Open Cup as well as a brilliant header goal in Vancouver to rescue full points on the road. While the forward stable is very full for 2014, Sandoval provides a different type of striker than most others, Alvaro Saborio included. He adds a dynamic others don't, and his work rate is second to none on the squad.

Where is he now: Real Salt Lake.