Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

MLS Draft Preview

MLS DraftWhen: Friday, 3 p.m. Where: Los Angeles Convention Center (Rounds 1 and 2). Rounds 3 and 4, Tuesday via conference call.

When: Friday, 3 p.m.

Where: Los Angeles Convention Center (Rounds 1 and 2). Rounds 3 and 4, Tuesday via conference call.

Watch online: Click here

Unions's picks: Round 2 (33 overall, 42*); Round 3 (55); Round 4 (77, 82**)

*Acquired in the Zac MacMath trade with Colorado

**Acquired in the Ethan White trade from New York City FC.

Best pick at No. 33 or lower: Richie Marquez (2014, University of Redlands, Calif., third round, 44 overall).

Here are some of the top players from South Jersey (or just beyond) or Southeastern Pa., or who competed in colleges in these areas (listed alphabetically).

Guillermo Delgado, 5-8, 140, forward, Delaware.

He had 49 goals and 19 assists for the Blue Hens. A product of Tres Cantos, Spain, he is projected to be a late-first- or early-second-round choice.

Jorge Gomez Sanchez, 5-8, 147, midfielder, Temple.

The Union have been impressed with his ability to create and finish, but his size could lower his draft selection.

Billy McConnell, 5-10, 174, defender, Indiana.

The product of Council Rock North started 60 games for Indiana. He also played for the Union Academy and Reserves. McConnell could play center back but is projected to be on the outside.

Padraic McCullaugh, 6-6, 220, forward, Villanova.

His best attribute is size. McCullaugh wasn't invited to the combine. He had four goals and five assists in 18 games. Union coach Jim Curtin, a Villanova graduate, is familiar with his game. Draftuptopia.com projects him as a third-round pick.

Jakob Nerwinski, 6-0, 175 defender, Connecticut.

Nerwinski played at Notre Dame High in his hometown of Lawrenceville, N.J. A center back, he started 75 games for the Huskies and is projected as a late first- or early second-round pick.

Projected top pick: Expansion Minnesota United holds the first pick. Virtually every mock draft has forward Jeremy Ebobisse of Duke being the top pick. Ebobisse, who will turn 20 next month, played for Duke in 2014 and 2015 and scored nine goals in eight international matches while competing for the U-20 squad in 2016. He also played on loan for five games in 2016 with the Charleston Battery of the United Soccer League.

Keeper to watch: Monmouth senior Eric Klenofsky (6-6, 170) started 65 games and had 32 career shutouts.