Sporting KC: Analyzing and Grading MLS SuperDraft Picks

Sporting KC drafted three players in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft which began on Friday, January 11th and wrapped up on Monday, January 14th, holding the 21st, 45th and 69th overall picks.

The club drafted a pair of 22-year-old midfielders, Kamar Marriott from Florida Gulf Coast University and Camden Riley of the University of the Pacific, in the first and second round, respectively. In the third round, Sporting KC drafted 23-year-old center back Franky Martinez from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the third round of the SuperDraft. The club chose not to use its fourth-round pick.

This year’s SuperDraft was the first draft day since 2010 (back when the team was still known as the Wizards) that Sporting held all of their natural draft picks.

Though many would argue that the MLS SuperDraft doesn’t matter, I would agree with Peter Vermes that the draft can still be of great use to a team. On the day of the SuperDraft, Vermes shared with the MLS that though it is crucial for a club to build within its own system, the draft can be helpful to fill in roster gaps and acquire tools that a club lacks within their system.

Vermes—the MLS Sporting Executive of the Year—told The Blue Testament that though the emphasis on the combine and the draft has changed in recent years, “that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t scout or know who the players are but it has a different importance as we move forward.”

The draft has certainly benefited the club greatly in the past. Three significant current players that appear on the list of SKC’s SuperDraft picks are Matt Besler and Graham Zusi from the 2009 draft class, and Roger Espinoza from the 2008 draft class.

It is also important for fans and spectators to recognize that the MLS draft isn’t like the NBA or the NFL draft in the sense that rookies are expected to play and make an impact right away. Draftees are meant to fill holes, as Vermes said, and be developed in the USL or in a bench role.

When understanding and focusing on the true purpose of the SuperDraft, as discussed above, Sporting’s picks become more and more appealing.

"The club’s first-round pick, Marriott, is a defensively minded midfielder with “the ability and the confidence to hold the ball at his feet,” said Vermes to the Kansas City Star. “For us, it was an important aspect that we can develop into that role. He’s also got very, very strong athletic qualities.”"

These abilities will be essential for a club so focused on defense and possession.

Similar sentiments can be attributed to Riley, Sporting’s second-round pick. The 22-year-old defensive midfielder told the Star after being drafted by SKC that he “fell in love with their style of play.”

These two draftees, along with Martinez, perhaps tell that Vermes aimed to draft players who fit well within the club, rather than looking at sheer talent alone.

All three of the draft picks will likely find themselves on the club’s Swope Park Rangers USL team this season, and it’s important to recognize that these players will be okay with that.

The Star reported in the same article Vermes’ approval of the fact that these picks “won’t get stymied by being on the first team and not getting a chance to play.” The team’s first-round pick wasn’t even in the MLS Combine, and shared in an interview with The Blue Testament that he was just thankful that the club still saw value in him.

In the same interview, all three of the rookies shared their openness and eagerness toward possible contracts with the Swope Park Rangers.

Prioritizing fit and future development over immediate talent is a smart move by Vermes; the club already has enough talent within their current roster to win big now, and no major holes that a 2019 draft pick would be able to fill.

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Though there are many things to like about these SuperDraft picks, there are also a couple things that are not to like about these picks.

It could be argued that Sporting should have drafted a left back. Homegrown Jaylin Lindsey made his first MLS start as a left back in 2018, but I would agree with Top Drawer Soccer that it seems that Lindsey will find himself in the right back position long-term.

The Blue Testament points out that aside from Jimmy Medranda, all the true left backs on the roster are reaching the tail end of their playing careers. Not to mention, the Swope Park Rangers’ small roster of nine people contains only one defender.

It also seems strange to some that Sporting chose to pass on their fourth round pick, especially as the Swope Park Rangers’ roster still holds only nine people.

However, it’s early in the preseason, and players will be sent down from the senior team. There are also many talented academy players, and it is reportedly Peter Vermes’ dream to field an entire starting lineup of SKC Academy players.

In regard to a grade of how the club did overall, I’d personally give it a B+. None of these draft picks excite me greatly, but I also understand that there weren’t a lot of great options to choose from with the club’s first pick starting late in the first round.

I like Vermes’ emphasis on future development rather than current success, and his choice of players who won’t expect too much out of their rookie season.

Though I wish the club would have drafted one more wing back, I do think these defensively-minded players will fit well with the club.

The club opened the 2019 preseason with a 4-0 win over Sporting Arizona on January 18, 2019. Their next match will be a friendly against Phoenix Rising FC Trialists on Wednesday, January 23rd.