The 2016 MLS SuperDraft is set for 10 a.m. PT on Thursday, January 14. Watch the draft live on whitecapsfc.com and click here for more coverage.
Barring a trade, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will pick 16th in the first round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. That will be the club's lowest-ever pick in the first round, which is the price to pay for enjoying their best MLS season to date in 2015.
Doubt anyone is complaining.
So what does history tell us about the 16th overall pick? Let’s take a look.
Here’s the list of every single player who has been taken at 16th since the first MLS SuperDraft back in 2000 (coincidentally, there are 16 of them).
<strong>YEAR</strong> |
<strong>PLAYER</strong> |
<strong>TEAM</strong> |
<strong>MLS APPEARANCES</strong> |
<p align="center">2015</p> |
<p align="center">Cristian Roldan</p> |
<p align="center">Seattle Sounders FC</p> |
<p align="center">22</p> |
<p align="center">2014</p> |
<p align="center">A.J. Cochran</p> |
<p align="center">Houston Dynamo</p> |
<p align="center">26</p> |
<p align="center">2013</p> |
<p align="center">Emery Welshman</p> |
<p align="center">Toronto FC</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">2012</p> |
<p align="center">Dom Dwyer</p> |
<p align="center">Sporting Kansas City</p> |
<p align="center">80</p> |
<p align="center">2011</p> |
<p align="center">Paolo Cardozo</p> |
<p align="center">LA Galaxy</p> |
<p align="center">27</p> |
<p align="center">2010</p> |
<p align="center">Michael Stephens</p> |
<p align="center">LA Galaxy</p> |
<p align="center">114</p> |
<p align="center">2009</p> |
<p align="center">Evan Brown</p> |
<p align="center">Seattle Sounders FC</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
<p align="center">2008</p> |
<p align="center">Eric Brunner</p> |
<p align="center">New York Red Bulls</p> |
<p align="center">103</p> |
<p align="center">2007</p> |
<p align="center">Robbie Findley</p> |
<p align="center">LA Galaxy</p> |
<p align="center">171</p> |
<p align="center">2006</p> |
<p align="center">Lance Watson</p> |
<p align="center">Kansas City Wizards</p> |
<p align="center">36</p> |
<p align="center">2005</p> |
<p align="center">Ryan Pore</p> |
<p align="center">Kansas City Wizards</p> |
<p align="center">66</p> |
<p align="center">2004</p> |
<p align="center">Adrian Cann</p> |
<p align="center">Colorado Rapids</p> |
<p align="center">50</p> |
<p align="center">2003</p> |
<p align="center">Scot Thompson</p> |
<p align="center">LA Galaxy</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">2002</p> |
<p align="center">Danny Jackson</p> |
<p align="center">Colorado Rapids</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">2001</p> |
<p align="center">Brian Ching</p> |
<p align="center">LA Galaxy</p> |
<p align="center">233</p> |
<p align="center">2000</p> |
<p align="center">Justin Evans</p> |
<p align="center">San Jose Earthquakes</p> |
<p align="center">30</p> |
Naturally, there have been some busts – four of the 16 picks didn’t play more than a single game in MLS. But there have also been quite a few success stories.
A few names stand out.
The player who went on to have the most successful career (keeping in mind that there are still a few active players) is Brian Ching, who was selected by LA Galaxy in 2001. Ching was a three-time MLS Cup winner and a six-time MLS all-star. He scored a total of 82 goals in 233 appearances, making him Houston Dynamo’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Sporting Kansas City striker Dom Dwyer, who has 36 goals in 80 appearances thus far, should also be considered a big steal at 16th overall – same with the likes of Michael Stephens and Robbie Findley.
So, it is possible to find an impact player that far down in the draft, but it’s far from a sure-thing.
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