The Union are certainly putting a major emphasis on this year’s MLS SuperDraft (Thursday, Noon), and not just because it’ll be hosted by the city of Philadelphia.

Brek Shea, a No. 2 pick of the
not-too-distant past. (AP)

So let’s look at some historical perspective. The connection between the No. 1 pick and the most successful career in a draft is tenuous at best. Only once has the No. 1 pick been MLS rookie of the year – it’s a name Union fans have a piqued interest in, Maurice Edu in 2007. On only one occasion has the No. 2 pick turned into the rookie of the year (Jay Heaps in 1999), and never has the No. 6 pick been crowned MLS’s top rookie. That doesn’t mean there’s hasn’t been quality available at both spots, especially for attack-minded players at No. 2.


The Union have never held the No. 2 pick; the only time they’ve ever picked sixth was in 2010, when they got Amobi Okugo.

Here’s a look at some notable recent picks at each position: 

Recent No. 2s 

2013: Carlos Alvarez, M, Chivas USA
2012: Darren Mattocks, F, Vancouver
2011: Darlington Nagbe, F, Portland
2010: Tony Tchani, M, New York
2009: Sam Cronin, M, Toronto
2008: Brek Shea, M, Dallas
2007: Bakary Soumare, D, Chicago
2006: Mehdi Ballouchy, M, Real Salt Lake
2005: Brad Guzan, M, Chivas USA
2004: Chad Marshall, D, Columbus
2003: Ricardo Clark, M, NY/NJ

Recent No. 6s

2013: Deshorn Brown, F, Colorado
2012: Sam Garza, F, San Jose
2011: A.J. Soares, D, New England
2010: Amobi Okugo, D/M, UNION
2009: Rodney Wallace, F/M, D.C. United
2008: Andy Iro, D, Columbus
2007: Nico Colaluca, M, Colorado
2006: Dax McCarty, M, Dallas
2005: Drew Moor, D, Dallas
2004: Ramon Nunez, M, Dallas
2003: Todd Dunivant, D, San Jose

There’s also plenty of quality available in the second round, a juncture of the draft in which the Union have been successful (see Michael Farfan and Ray Gaddis). It’s obviously hit or miss, but the list of recent second rounders below includes a few bona fide MLS players.

Sporting Kansas City's SethSinovic, right,
was a second-round SuperDraft steal. (AP)

Recent No. 25s

2013: Kory Kindle, D, Colorado
2012: Jacob Hustedt, M, San Jose
2011: John Rooney, M, New York
2010: Seth Sinovic, D, New England
2009: Denaldin Hamzagic, M, New England
2008: Jonathan Leathers, D, Kansas City
2007: Ryan Solle, M, New England
2006: Kyle Veris, D, Los Angeles
2005: Chris Corcoran, M, NY/NJ

Recent No. 27s

2013: Paolo DelPiccolo, M, Montreal
2012: Brendan King, M, Portland
2011: Servando Carrasco, M, Seattle
2010: Mike Seamon, M, Seattle
2009: Brian Shriver, F, Dallas
2008: Joe Germanese, M, New England
2007: Richard Asante, D/M, Toronto
2006: Brandon Moss, M, Columbus
2005: Winston Marshall, D, Dallas