Toronto FC came away from the MLS SuperDraft in Phildelphia with a stable of players that address pressing needs for the Reds heading into the 2015 season. Depth at the back, along with arguably the best goalkeeper available in the draft are the hallmarks of a solid class selected by the TFC braintrust. In his final draft article for torontofc.ca, Top Drawer Soccer's Travis Clark breaks down TFC's first five picks.
With five picks in the first two rounds of last Thursday’s MLS draft, Toronto FC made additions to its roster ahead of a 2015 team that includes the launch of a USL Pro team.
That should give the chance of all five players to potentially stick around Toronto for at least a year, and get some game time in the upcoming season at the USL Pro level, if they can’t force their way onto the TFC roster.
Below is the lowdown on TFC’s first five selections.
GK Alex Bono, Syracuse – The 6-foot-3 netminder is fresh off one of the best collegiate seasons for a goalkeeper in recent memory, as he finished as a Hermann Trophy finalist, given to the top player in NCAA soccer. Bono has all the tools need to excel in the pro ranks, from his outstanding shot-stopping ability, good athleticism and he has the makeup of someone ready to jump to the pro ranks. He could conceivably fill-in at the pro level in 2015.
D Clement Simonin, NC State – One of the surprises on draft day, Simonin has a much more unique background than most of his peers selection on Thursday. The Frenchman from Lorient originally moved to the United States to compete at Lander University at the Division II level, before a transfer to NC State landed him in the ACC for 2013 and 2014. The left-footed center back is composed on the ball, has decent athleticism and is a smooth passer out of the back. He enjoyed a strong season last summer in the USL Premier Development League with Sounders U23, which helped put him on the map of MLS scouts.
D Skylar Thomas, Syracuse – Like Bono, Thomas’ stock soared in 2014 as their Syracuse side possessed one of college soccer’s stingiest defenses. The center back is easy to spot standing at 6-foot-3, can win just about everything in the air and is a danger on set pieces, as he showed with eight goals in 56 games at Syracuse. His ability to adjust to reading a faster-paced game at the MLS level and proving he has the mobility to keep up will determine his success at the pro level.
D Wesley Charpie, South Florida – One of the best right back options on the board in the 2015 draft, if not the best, Charpie is an attacking outside back who looks capable of making an impact at the pro level at some point in his career. He gets forward very well, but has the pace and athletic makeup to cope with the higher speed of play in MLS. He can also combine well with teammates down the right flank and serve in a very good final ball, as evidenced by his career 21 assists for South Florida.
M Edwin Rivas, Cal State Northridge – A down campaign in 2014 saw Rivas slip down draft boards, but there is potential for a diamond-in-the-rough selection of the Northridge forward/midfielder. An attacking player who projects likely as a winger, he is dynamic enough on the ball and can take on and beat players off the dribble to create chances for his teammates. After landing on All Big West teams in 2012 and 2013, he managed just two assists in 2014. He’ll need to show the ability to defend and do the heavy lifting required off the ball in order to secure a roster spot.
Travis Clark covers college and youth soccer for TopDrawerSoccer.com.
