PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Each of the top three picks in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft were used to select forwards, and five of the 21 first-round selections were used to select goal scorers.
But with the highest number of goals allowed (62) in the Western Conference in 2014, the Colorado Rapids had an immediate need of defensive personnel entering the draft. Colorado addressed this need by moving up in the draft, exchanging their No. 19 overall pick, a 2016 pick and future considerations with Columbus to move up to No. 14. It was later revealed Friday that those “future considerations” entailed the trade of left back Chris Klute to Columbus.
With that pick, the Rapids selected 6-foot-7 central defender Axel Sjoberg. The Swede started his career with the academy of Djurgardens IF before playing collegiately in the U.S. at Marquette, starting all 63 games of his college career.
The Rapids continued their concentration on defense in the second round, selecting another tall centerback with the selection of 6-foot-6 Joe Greenspan of Navy.
Greenspan was a 2014 NSCAA All-American in 2014 for the Midshipmen; although Pablo Mastroeni indicated in some interviews that it may be a couple of seasons before Greenspan joins the team due to Naval service.
Of note, the Rapids’ original first-round pick for 2015 was supposed to be slotted in at No. 5 overall, but that pick was given to Portland in exchange for former forward Danny Mwanga. Mwanga was selected by Orlando City in the recent MLS expansion draft. Portland, in turn, used the acquired selection to pick Notre Dame Midfielder Nick Besler.
The 2015 MLS SuperDraft will conclude on Tuesday, January 20 via teleconference call.
An unexpected draft day star
There was plenty talk surrounding the players at yesterday’s SuperDraft, but an equally compelling topic of conversation was Pablo Mastroeni’s facial hair. The Rapids head coach was sporting a handle bar mustache that had social media abuzz.
#Rapids96 head coach Pablo Mastroeni speaks to the media after 2015 MLS #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/O9HQsm7JDZ
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) January 15, 2015
When asked about the new look, Mastroeni said:
“As we were going through a bit of a tough stretch … I wanted to get out on the field and really help the guys out. I almost felt like because it was so tough for the group, I wanted to go out and help. But my dad said, ‘Son you gotta change the way you think and a good way to do that might be changing the way you look. Why don’t you go wear a bowtie and start wearing a moustache so that when you look in a mirror you understand that you’re a coach and that you are no longer a player?’
“So I ran with the moustache,” he continued. “And I’m waiting on a couple of bowties.”
Rapids add bite to the midfield
The Rapids wrapped up draft day by trading for one of Mastroeni’s former teammates, sending the third allocation ranking and allocation money to the L.A. Galaxy for midfielder Marcelo Sarvas and an additional international roster spot.
“He is an experienced pro, he’s a winner, he’s a competitor, and he puts the team before himself,” Mastroeni told MLSSoccer.com. “We need someone that can guide these guys and I think he’s one of those players that we looked to acquire.”
The 33-year-old is a two-time MLS Cup winner (2012, 2014) with the Galaxy and appeared in 88 matches over the past three seasons, tallying nine goals and 19 assists.
The Rapids will kick off preseason against the San Jose Earthquakes in Las Vegas on Feb. 15.
Marco Cummings is a staff writer for Mile High Sports. He can be reached via email at marco@milehighsports.com or on Twitter @Marco_Cummings.