2012 MLS Superdraft: Winner and Losers

With much anticipation, the 2012 MLS Superdraft came and went as teams tried to fill holes in the squad by retired, traded, or injured players with the NCAA’s elite.

This year's version was only two rounds in length, therefore, the pressure was on for teams to chose the best available players. For some teams with only one selection — Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, and New York Red Bulls — the pressure was even greater. 

While most team selected what they needed, some teams stood out, while other teams left those watching with questions marks.

Let's look at my winners and losers of the 2012 MLS Superdraft. 

The Montreal Impact selection of Generation Adidas player Andrew Wenger coming out Duke wasn't a surprise to many.

In Wenger they got the defensive depth the Impact needed, or an option of a second striker to play alongside Brian Ching.

Montreal's second selection Calum Mallace will give some depth to the midfield, and will be able to challenge for a starting position.

The Earthquakes had three picks in this Superdraft and used two on midfielders Jacob Hustedt and Sam Garza — a Generation Adidas player.

These two players will strengthen a midfield that needs both a playmaker and an outside mid. Garza and Hustedt will also help in the San Jose attack spearheaded by Chris Wondolowski . The biggest question will be who will play where when the season comes rolling around.

San Jose wrapped up the day using its last pick to strengthen the goalkeeper position by picking Chris Blais from the University of South Florida.

The New York Red Bulls haven’t showed to take the Superdraft very seriously. They showed this by trading its first pick for Dwayne De Rosario who ended being a bust for New York.

So with only one pick in the second round, the Red Bulls went on to choose goalkeeper Ryan Meara.

No knock on Meara, since the need for goalkeeper in New York is warranted. But with the discussions of Tim Ream leaving New York, and with the future of Rafael Marquez with the club maybe in question, New York could have used their only pick on a center back. 

The Columbus Crew used the Superdraft wisely, picking the players they needed to improve on in 2012.

Forward Ethan Finlay — who was the most impressive in the combine — will help a Crew that hasn’t been known to be a scoring machine.

Meanwhile Kevon George can fill the space left by Robbie Rogers’ departure to Leeds United. 

You have to give some credit to the Houston Dynamo who after losing its franchise player, bounced back with some nice picks at the Superdraft. 

Houston picked up Louisville forward Colin Rolfe as the 18th pick. Rolfe has been a menace for Louisville helping them reach the 2010 College Cup. With Brian Ching’s departure, Houston will need a forward to step up and find the back of the net. 

Nick DeLeon has been an outstanding player for Louisville. There is no doubt about that. It’s just difficult to understand why D.C. United used its only pick — at No. 7 — for a midfielder.

DeLeon would probably provide some pressure off Dwayne DeRosario in the midfield. However, with Charlie Davis gone and Josh Wolff past his prime, D.C. United could have used its 7th pick to pick up forward Ethan Finlay who was at the moment still up for grabs.

Or D.C. United could have taken advantage that Chanfler Hoffman was still available and pick the UCLA forward — a GA player that wouldn’t have counted against the salary cap.