2016 MLS SuperDraft: Team Needs, Eastern Conference
The 2016 MLS SuperDraft is now upon us as teams around the league prepare to pluck the top talent out of colleges and universities across the continent.
With the combine now done and dusted and each team's shortlist printed and primed, let's take a look at what each team needs and who they might pick Jan. 14:
Chicago Fire
Positions of need: Everywhere, really, but as this Chicago Fire team rebuilds, and having lost captain and central defender Jeff Larentowicz, shoring up the backline is priority number one.
Potential draft targets: There's no doubt who's going first overall; Georgetown University stud Joshua Yaro is Chicago's most obvious choice. And, while the Fire weren't necessarily opposed to trading the pick, Yaro presents a player with plenty of potential who can step in right away and help make Chicago a better team; that's rare to find in the SuperDraft these days.
Columbus Crew
Positions of need: For a Columbus Crew team that came so close to the MLS Cup last year, there aren't many positions of need for Gregg Berhalter's side. And, with a late pick in their pocket (19th overall), Columbus will simply take the best player they can get, though defenders would be preferred.
Potential draft targets: Ohio State central defender Liam Doyle or Michigan State's Zach Carroll are two players who could work out for the Crew but, in reality, the Crew will simply hope for a surprise diamond in the rough this late in the first round.
D.C. United
Positions of need: As D.C. United undergoes a period of transition, an attacking-minded midfielder wouldn't be the worst pick of the bunch. This is a team that still boasts a solid defensive line but needs an added touch of flair.
Potential draft targets: Creighton attacking midfielder Fabian Herbers is a Generation Adidas pick but is also a German player, and, as such, takes up an international roster spot. Though he is a top-five talent, he could drop down to 13 in a year where defensive players are the hot commodity, and D.C. have plenty of international spots left open.
Montreal Impact
Positions of need: If Didier Drogba doesn't return next season, the Montreal Impact are in desperate, desperate need of strikers, plain and simple.
Potential draft targets: Syracuse University forward Ben Polk or UCF's Hadji Barry aren't just striker options, but can also be used out wide; it's that kind of versatility that the Impact thrive on as the fluidity of its attacking line allows for plenty of interplay. Either would work, especially at 14th overall where talent grows thinner.
New England Revolution
Positions of need: The New England Revolution will take what they can get at 10th overall, but help up top in one of the most dynamic forward tandems couldn't hurt their cause. Still, defence will probably be the priority.
Potential draft targets: Kyle Fisher out of Clemson is the best defender available after Yaro, Branden Vincent, and Jonathan Campbell get taken. Georgetown University right full-back Keegan Rosenberry or North Carolina's Jordan McCrary would do well at the Revs, too.
New York City FC
Positions of need: This is a NYCFC team stacked with star talent, but having lost plenty of experience and with a new coach in Patrick Vieira, a defender is probably on the docket for this sophomore side.
Potential draft targets: UNC defender Jonathan Campbell is probably going fourth overall and heading to NYCFC, though Julian Buescher might pique Vieira's interest, too.
New York Red Bulls
Positions of need: The New York Red Bulls don't really need much, though help at left full-back wouldn't be a bad idea, should Kemar Lawrence attract European offers.
Potential draft targets: George Mason University left full-back Taylor Washington is one option for the Red Bulls, as is SIU-Edwardsville defender Justin Bilyeu. Both would probably need to spend some time at Red Bulls II in the USL, though.
Orlando City SC
Positions of need: Orlando City will take what it can get at seventh overall, but mostly need consistency and reliability, whether in midfield or in the backline. That trait will take precedent over a player's position when making a choice here.
Potential draft targets: Akron University midfielder Richie Laryea is the best bet here, but the Canadian comes with an international roster spot. Still, a Generation Adidas contract makes him attractive and he comes from the same youth club as 2015 Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin, so there's a good connection there already.
Philadelphia Union
Positions of need: The Philadelphia Union need help all around after a torrid 2015 season. But for the Union, who pick third and sixth overall, there's plenty to pick from in the first round.
Potential draft targets: The consensus here is that the Union will first take one of Wake Forest midfielder Jack Harrison or Stanford left full-back Brandon Vincent, depending on who the Colorado Rapids pick right before. After that, the Union will either trade pick No. 6 or grab a versatile forward like Omar Holness.
Toronto FC
Positions of need: It would have been defence, had the Reds not signed Drew Moor and Steven Beitashour, but as it stands, Toronto FC's most pressing need is for a winger.
Potential draft targets: Picking ninth overall, Toronto FC could see local standout Laryea drop down due to his international status for U.S. teams, so if Laryea is available at nine, Toronto would be foolish not to snap up the Canadian midfielder. If not, the Reds would do well to pick up Holness out of North Carolina for use out wide on the right of midfield.