The LA Galaxy have the 19th pick in the Thursday's MLS SuperDraft and while there is plenty of speculation on who Bruce Arena and the Galaxy coaching staff will select with the final pick in the first round, I decided to take a look back.
I chose to evaluate the last pick in the first round over the past 10 years and see which teams maximized their value with their selections.
Check out my data below
2012 - LA Galaxy with 19th overall pick: Defender Tommy Meyer (Indiana) - currently with LA Galaxy
MLS CAREER STATS:GP: 8, MIN: 660, G: 0, A: 0
2011 - Colorado Rapids with 18th overall pick: Midfielder Eddie Ababio -- currently with NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies
MLS: CAREER STATS: Zero regular season appearances in one-and-a-half seasons with the Colorado Rapids.
2010 - LA Galaxy with 16th overall pick: Midfielder Michael Stephens (UCLA) -- currently with LA Galaxy
MLS CAREER STATS: GP: 73, MIN: 3717, G: 1, A: 11
2009 - New England Revolution with 15th overall pick: Midfielder Ryan Maxwell (Tampa) -- currently retired
MLS CAREER STATS:Zero regular season appearances in one season with New England
2008 - Real Salt Lake with 14th overall pick: Midfielder David Horst (Old Dominion) -- currently with Portland Timbers
MLS CAREER STATS: GP: 40, MIN: 3191, G: 1, A: 0
2007 - Houston Dynamo with 13th overall pick: Midfielder John Michael Hayden (Indiana) -- currently with semi-professional indoor soccer team, the Louisville Lightning
MLS CAREER STATS: Zero regular season appearances in three season with Houston
2006 - LA Galaxy with 12th overall pick: Midfielder Nathan Sturgis (Clemson) -- currently with Colorado Rapids
MLS CAREER STATS: GP: 80, MIN: 5719, G: 1, A: 2
2005 - Metrostars with 12th overall pick: Defender Tim Ward (Saint Louis) -- recently with San Jose Earthquakes
MLS CAREER STATS: GP: 71, MIN: 5724, G: 0, A: 7
2004 - San Jose Earthquakes with 10th overall pick: Goalkeeper Steve Cronin (Santa Clara) -- currently retired
MLS CAREER STATS: GP: 32, MIN: 2781, SO: 3, SAVES: 127, RECORD: 8-13-10
2003 - Dallas Burn with 10th overall pick: Defender Shavar Thomas (Connecticut) -- recently with Montreal Impact
MLS CAREER STATS: GP: 185, MIN:15059, G: 3, A: 1.
2002 - Dallas Burn with 12th overall pick: Defender Lee Morrison (Stanford) -- currently retired
MLS CAREER STATS: GP: 3, MIN: 103 G: 0 A: 0
A few thoughts...
Shavar Thomas leads all players over the 10 year study with games played, minutes, and goals. Thomas has been a frequent contributor to the Jamaican National Team for half a decade.
Although Thomas is the most successful numbers wise, the Galaxy have had considerable success over the last three years as Michael Stephens and Tommy Meyer have blossomed into regular members of the Galaxy first team.
*Stephens has scored the most assists of all players selected with the final pick in the MLS SuperDraft despite having just three seasons in MLS.
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Let me hear your thoughts about this study? Think the Galaxy can find another solid pick with the 19th selection on Thursday?
Share your thoughts below.
