2013 MLS SuperDraft Mocks: Dillon Powers to SKC?

When it comes to draft chatter, the citizens of KC Kingdom are focused squarely on the 2013 NFL Draft that is still three month’s away. While we wait for April 25th to roll around, however, there’s another draft just on our doorstep. It’s the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and it will be taking place in Indianapolis on Thursday, January 17th. Toronto FC holds the first pick and with it will kick off the action at 11 am CT.

Notre Dame midfielder Dillon Powers (left) battles for control against JMU forward Paul Wyatt (right). (Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

While the draft will not be televised, you will be able to watch the first pick take place live on ESPN’s SportsCenter. To watch the rest you will have to rely on streaming it from any number of sources including ESPN3, YouTube, MLSSoccer.com or any of the official MLS team sites.

Sporting KC traded away its two second round picks earlier in the offseason, but they still have their first round selection, #14 overall, in their pocket.

So who might become the newest member of Sporting in just under 36 hours? Well, as you know I’m a bit of a noob to the professional soccer scene so I’m not qualified just yet to make any informed prediction of my own, but what I can do is pass along the predictions of various mock drafts.

SB Nation’s latest mock, published yesterday afternoon, has SKC selecting Notre Dame midfielder Dillon Powers.

"Sporting Kansas City’s moves earlier in the off-season have made it so they don’t have a particular hole to fill on their roster. They really only need some more depth at midfielder, which is why the Daily Wiz selected Dillon Powers in Sporting KC’s only pick. This Notre Dame central midfielder could come in handy during the Gold Cup if Zusi and/or Feilhaber are called up for USMNT action."

Top Drawer Soccer also published an updated mock on Tuesday. They had Powers going to Vancouver FC at pick #5 and that left them to slot VCU forward Jason Johnson as Sporting’s selection.

"Sporting KC’s needs are more in defensive midfield role, but it would be hard to pass on a talent like Johnson, with his Generation Adidas status providing cap relief, while also adding yet another offensive weapon up front."

The latest mock that I could find on MLS Soccer dates back to January 12th, and they did things a little differently listing selections of three different experts. Two of their experts have Sporting going with Powers while the other has them selecting Maryland midfielder John Stertzer.

While I was unable to find a publish date for their mock (so it may be outdated) Draft Site has SKC selecting Kentucky midfielder Matt Lodge in the first round.

In addition to keeping tabs on exactly who Sporting picks in the draft, I’m also keeping tabs on where Creighton’s senior midfielder winds up going. A couple projections have him going to Colorado at pick #25 or #30 while others have him landing with DC United who picks 17th. Selfishly I’d love for another Blue Jay to play professionally for our team here in town, but that doesn’t appear likely given the way the various mocks have things laid out.

Instead, Powers seems like the popular choice for Sporting and he makes a lot of sense for what the team does (click here to read up). Based on the projections it appears that SKC will jump on the Notre Dame product if he’s available but there is no guarantee that he will fall to 14th overall.