RSL and the Supplemental Draft from 2010 to 2013: More busts than gems as talent pool shifts

2010

As in 2009, the limits on roster spots for developmental contracts meant there was no Supplemental Draft this year.

2011

Jeff Attinella (14th Overall)

Florida native, University of South Florida grad, Bradenton Academy player -- Attinella was never signed by RSL after the draft. FC Tampa Bay (now Tampa Bay Rowdies) of the NASL lured him back to his home state only a month later. He played 52 games for the Rowdies over two seasons, culminating in a Soccer Bowl title in 2012 which saw the goalkeeper make multiple PK saves in a shootout at the end of the second leg.

A month after winning the championship, Attinella signed with RSL for the 2013 season.

Where is he now: Although a roundabout way, he’s made his name as a solid backup in Salt Lake heading into 2014.

Drew Cost (32nd Overall)

The Penn State alum was never offered a contract by RSL after being drafted, and was instead picked up by USLPRO’s Rochester Rhinos for the 2011 season. He was re-signed by the club for 2012, but was eventually released before the 2013 season.

Where is he now: Despite making 19 appearances and scoring three goals with the Rhinos, Cost’s professional career is now over. Staying in Rochester, he is currently an account manager for PepsiCo.

Nick Love (50th Overall)

An invitee to RSL’s combine in Arizona ahead of the draft, Love was one of the last selections of the Supplemental phase. He was never signed to a contract, however, and was released in preseason.

Where is he now: Returning to Gonzaga University to finish his degree in Human Physiology, Love is now in the marketing industry in Scottsdale, Arizona.

2012

Andy Rose (6th Overall)

The Australian midfielder was a member of English club Bristol City in his youth. Apart from playing for UCLA in college, Rose was also a member of two PDL teams -- Seattle Wolves (now the Washington Crossfire) and Ventura County Fusion.

Making headlines immediately after the draft, RSL traded Rose to the Seattle Sounders in exchange for defender Leone Cruz.

Where is he now: Rose was signed by Seattle in March 2012, and remains there today. He’s been featured in MLS’ 24 Under 24, and has made 34 appearances for the Sounders over the past two seasons. (Cruz, on the other hand, was cut by RSL almost as soon as he was acquired.)

Emiliano Bonfigli (17th Overall)

Trying to tap the Argentinean market for more talent, RSL opted for Bonfigli as a younger, more raw talent for the forward core. His time with various clubs in Argentina (Racing Club among them) gave him an unusual set of experiences for being a Supplemental pick.

Bonfigli played 10 games for RSL in 2012, scoring a single goal in a 1-1 tie against FC Dallas in April. He was routinely on the bench as a reserve in most games that season, but was only in the Starting XI once.

After being released by the club at season’s end, Bonfigli returned to his homeland to join San Telmo of Argentina’s third division.

Where is he now: Before the 2013 season ended, the 25 year old striker was able to jump one rung higher to the Primera B league with Club Almagro where he still remains.

Oliver Kupe (36th Overall)

A forward from Northwestern, Kupe managed to rack up 22 goals and 11 assists over four years for the Wildcats. He was nominated as an All-Big Ten First Team pick multiple times, and was clearly a clutch player for his college.

Finishing his degree before joining the professional soccer ranks, Kupe may have made a wise choice. He was never signed by RSL, and it appears he never pursued other options in the sport.

Where is he now: Kupe is now a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch in Chicago.

Benjamin Ubierna (55th Overall)

Another unusual case for the 2012 Supplemental Draft, Ubierna was a player for Peruvian club Universidad de San Martín before entering the MLS Combine and subsequent draft. It’s unclear how he managed to find himself in that position, but one can suspect he was invited by a specific club for closer inspection.

Regardless of the reason, Ubierna chose not to sign with any club (RSL included), and went back to Peru to continue playing for San Martín.

Where is he now: Universidad de San Martín, making only 45 appearances in four years, but gaining 25 of them in 2013.

2013

Brock Granger (50th Overall)

The second of two Hawaiians drafted by RSL (the other was Nick Love), Granger was a transfer to Louisville in 2010. The defender played alongside other MLS draftees like Nick DeLeon and Andrew Ferrell for the Cardinals.

During his college career, he was a member of the Portland Timbers U-23 team where he played a total of 14 games.

Granger was not signed by RSL and was cut during preseason.

Where is he now: In April 2013, Granger signed with USLPRO’s Dayton Dutch Lions where he was a solid presence on the back line as Dayton squeaked into the playoffs before being eliminated in the quarterfinals by Richmond.

Max Wasserman (69th Overall)

Connecticut born and bred, Wasserman attended UConn for psychology. He was never offered a contract by RSL, and returned to school to finish his degree.

Where is he now: As of August 2013, Wasserman is the director of soccer operations for the University of Hartford, the school of 2014 MLS Superdraft pick Damion Lowe (Seattle Sounders).