MLS Insider Blog

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

MLSsoccer.com’s Inside the Superdraft is an all-access look behind the curtain at what really goes on at the league’s annual selection event. Filmed this past January in Philadelphia and Florida, Inside The Superdraft gets you closer to the players, coaches and fans than ever before.

Episode One features the story of how Philadelphia Union coach Peter Nowak convinced overall number one pick Danny Mwanga to sign with MLS, how new Red Bull New York GM Erik Soler approached his first draft and to see where it all begins for would-be players, the MLS Combine in Ft. Lauderdale.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

For my money the 2010 SuperDraft had it all. Featuring one of the deepest talent pools in recent memory, throngs of passionate supporters, an 11th hour blockbuster deal and a fired-up expansion city for a backdrop, you’d be hard-pressed to convince me (and many others) that this year’s event wasn’t the best one so far. It also featured unparalleled online coverage through this blog and the league’s other digital outposts courtesy of our new digital media team.

In addition to the up-to-the-minute coverage the team was also shooting content simultaneously for a short documentary series focused on the occasion, Inside the SuperDraft. An intimate look at all of the draft-day happenings from the team tables to the podium to the press room, it’s a unique, all-access peek at the selection process and all of the pageantry that follows. Check out the teaser above and watch for the series debut in March.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Check out this video; it’s part one of Gol TV Canada’s Behind the Draft special (parts 2-4 can be seen here). Clocking in at nearly 30 minutes, it’s a revealing look at the 2010 MLS Combine and SuperDraft through the eyes of this year’s crop of MLS prospects and the Toronto FC front office/coaching staff. As entertaining as this project is you can’t help but feel the it’s producer’s were hoping for a bit more of Mo Johnston’s patented draft-day shenanigans to pump up the intrigue. Perhaps next year they’ll follow Peter Nowak around instead as he seems to be making a play for Trader Mo’s crown as the Deal-Making King of MLS.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Philadelphia 76er’s center Samuel Dalembert is 6′ 11′ & 250lbs of football fanatic. He is most likely the Philadelphia Union’s biggest fan in the most literal sense. At yesterday’s SuperDraft Dalembert, one of the NBA’s most notorious shot blocker’s, stood next to/towered over ESPN’s Alan Hopkins on the draft floor and gave a his take on why NBA star’s like Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and himself have all fallen for the sport of soccer. He also states that he plans on being a regular face at the Union’s stadium in Chester; might I suggest a back-row for him?

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Yesterday on the floor of the Philadelphia Convention Center, just prior to the doors being opened and the Union getting the party started with the selection of Danny Mwanga, Don Garber spoke with ESPN’s Alan Hopkins about this year’s draft and the league’s recent growth. He also made some rare public commentary on the state of the CBA negotiations with the MLS Players Union. With the Jan.31 expiration date of the current agreement coming quicker than a Dane Richards run up the right side, their has been a lot of talk in the soccersphere about the possibility of a lockout; here, we hear the commissioner’s take on this hot-button issue.

Jason & Greg tie up the loose ends of 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

Jason Saghini & Greg Lalas, knee deep into the third round of the draft.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Last night at the hotel bar I made several $5 bets that Toronto would find a way into the first round of the draft: there was just no way that “Trader” Mo Johnston would sit on his hands until the second round to make a pick. But with MoJo showing the patience of a saint and waiting out the first round to grab U.S. U-17 player Zachary Herold in the second I am now in need of a trip to an ATM that specializes in small bills. Needless to say I had to ask Johnston what gives with the surprising display of draft-day restraint…and this is what he had to say.

Jason Saghini and Greg Lalas dicuss the selections of Andre Akpan & Ross LeBeaux.

Jason Saghini and Greg Lalas with live analysis of the 1st round and a look ahead to the 2nd round of the 2010 SuperDraft.