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With the fifth pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, FC Dallas selects a member of the Generation adidas class, defender from the University of California, Christian Dean.
Dean is an up and coming prospect from Cal. At 6-foot-3, Dean is a player that has the physical tools to compete in Major League Soccer. He adds another dimension on set pieces and has the quality in him to continue to improve over time.
The junior started every match in three seasons with California. In 2013, he started all 21 matches, scored one goal and added in four assists.
After a stellar season in 2013, Dean quickly climbed many scouts radars and has been a player that MLS coaches and technical directors have been drooling over. He helped guide Cal to six shutouts this season before crashing out in the third round of the NCAA tournament to eventual runner-up Maryland.
What FC Dallas will be looking for in the SuperDraft: Both Dan Hunt and Fernando Clavijo have been vocal about what they have been searching for this winter. Both stated in media conference calls that they want to continue to build out of the defense through the draft like they have the last few years.
Who the experts say FC Dallas will draft: Most experts believe Dallas will go offensive in this draft, for good reason too. Some have projected Patrick Mullins (Maryland), Schillo Tshuma (Maryland) or Marlin Hairston (Louisville).
Why I'm totally wrong with this selection: Having FCD pick another defender for the sixth straight season seems a bit far fetched, even if it has worked for FCD. Should someone like Mullins fall to number five, it will be very hard for Clavijo and company to pass on him.
Why I'm smarter than the pundits: Defense still wins in this league. Even though FCD has a slew of young defenders already on the roster, adding one with the potential that Dean has is just smart business. The GA tag will mean he will not count against the salary cap and it could actually open some doors to move other defenders like Kellyn Acosta or Walker Zimmerman into a defensive midfield role. Or you know, its good trade bait.
Full Mock Draft results (click on player names to see the profiles)
First Round
Team | Blog | Pick |
1. D.C. United | Black and Red United | Patrick Mullins |
2. Philadelphia Union | Brotherly Game | Steve Neumann |
3. Vancouver Whitecaps | 86 Forever | Andre Blake |
4. Columbus Crew | Massive Report | Steve Birnbaum |
5. FC Dallas | Big D Soccer | Christian Dean |
6. Union | Brotherly Game | Marlon Hairston |
7. Whitecaps | 86 Forever | Damion Lowe |
8. Chicago Fire | Hot Time In Old Town | Grant Van De Casteele |
9. San Jose Earthquakes | Quake, Rattle and Goal | Eric Miller |
10. Montreal Impact | Mount Royal Soccer | A.J Corrado |
11. Colorado Rapids | Burgundy Wave | Schillo Tshuma |
12. New England Revolution | The Bent Musket | JJ Koval |
13. Seattle Sounders | Sounder at Heart | Aodhan Quinn |
14. LA Galaxy | LAG Confidential | Fifi Baiden |
15. Toronto FC | Waking the Red | AJ Cochran |
16. Houston Dynamo | Dynamo Theory | Mamadou Diouf |
17. Portland Timbers | Stumptown Footy | Reinaldo Brenes |
18. Real Salt Lake | RSL Soapbox | Ben Sweat |
19. Revolution | The Bent Musket | Marco Franco |
Second Round
Team | Blog | Pick |
20. Chivas USA | The Goat Parade | Enrique Cardenas |
21. Sounders | Sounder at Heart | Taylor Peay |
22. New York Red Bulls | Once a Metro | Pete Caringi |
23. Crew | Massive Report | Pedro Ribeiro |
24. Toronto FC | Waking the Red | Joey Dillon |
25. Union | Brotherly Game | Jared Watts |
26. Timbers | Stumptown Footy | Kevin Cope |
27. Union | Brotherly Game | Kyle Venter |
28. Earthquakes | Quake, Rattle and Goal | Mackenzie Pridham |
29. Impact | Mout Royal Soccer | Jimmy Ockford |
30. Whitecaps | 86 Forever | Nikita Kotlov |
31. Revolution | The Bent Musket | Victor Chavez |
32. Dynamo | Dynamo Theory | Kristopher Tyrpak |
33. Rapids | Burgundy Wave | Rafael Diaz |
34. Red bulls | Once a Metro | Alex Martinez |
35. Rapids | Burgundy Wave | Zach Bolden |
36. Timbers | Stumptown Footy | Mark Sherrod |
37. Impact | Mout Royal Soccer | Michael Calderon |
38. Sporting Kansas City | The Daily Wiz |
Romena Bowie |