Article originally from Windy City Soccer.
BALTIMORE, MD–It was a wild day at the Baltimore Convention Center where the MLS SuperDraft was held. The Chicago Fire had the first pick and surprised everyone by selecting Jack Harrison of Wake Forest. Harrison was then traded to New York City FC for their first-round pick (#4 overall) and allocation money. With that pick, the Fire then selected defender Brandon Vincent of Stanford who is currently at US National Team camp in Carson, CA.
The Fire were not done dealing. They then traded for Seattle Sounders FC’s first-round pick (#15 overall) for more allocation money and a player to be named later. The Fire then swapped spots in the transfer allocation order and the Colorado Rapids’ first-round pick (#12 overall) and used that pick to select defender Jonathan Campbell of North Carolina. That player to be named later turned out to be defender Joevin Jones who went to Seattle.
The Fire also got the Rapids’ second-round pick (#22 overall) and selected midfielder Alex Morrell of North Florida.
“The scenario that unfolded was one that we had discussed and arranged with NYCFC in advance and we feel very good about it,” said Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez. “I think the staff did a great job. We had an abundance of creative thinking in trying to find the pathway. Candidly, it ended up better than we had imagined. Through the course of our deals today, we feel we picked up three really good young players that fit our values, and in the process amassed a nice account that will give us super opportunity in the international market.”
In his senior season, Vincent helped lead the Cardinals to the 2015 College Cup title and was named College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player for his efforts. In 2015, Vincent was a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and Pac 12 Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year. Vincent started all 80 matches in which he appeared throughout his collegiate career and scored 13 goals and added three assists.
“Brandon is a young guy we interviewed who surprised us with his maturity,” said Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic. “That was one of the reasons we picked him. He still needs a lot of development and that’s my job. I’m very excited to work with him. I think we chose the right guys for our locker room, with our values and with good soccer potential.”
With the 12th pick, the Fire selected University of North Carolina defender Jonathan Campbell. Over four years, Campbell started 73 of the 74 matches in which he appeared and scored three goals and tallied seven assists. A 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, Campbell was also named NSCAA First Team and First Team All-ACC in his senior season. In 2012, he was named to College Soccer News’ All-Freshman First Team as the Tar Heels led the nation in shutout percentage and goals against average.
“We think Jonathan is a good player who could become a really good player,” said Rodriguez. “We loved our interview with him and he’s another one who understands the importance of hard work, comes from a great program at North Carolina. We believe Jonathan has the opportunity to contribute right away, but at the same time learn from Pauno and the center backs that we bring in.”
The Fire concluded their SuperDraft by selecting forward Alex Morrell from the University of North Florida. A 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Tournament Team and First Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honoree, Morrell scored 10 goals and tallied 19 assists in 63 games across four seasons.
Morrow was said to impress at the MLS Combine in Fort Lauderdale the previous week with his speed and agility.
“Alex is a dynamite athlete and a very intelligent soccer player,” said Rodriguez. “He can play multiple positions and that versatility is very important to us as we build our adaptable style of play.”
While three players come in, one player went out and one former player joined LA Galaxy. Joevin Jones leaves after just one season with the Fire making 28 appearances. Mike Magee rejoined LA Galaxy after three seasons with the Fire where he was league MVP in 2013, but then ankle and hip injuries soured his next two seasons in Bridgeview.
The allocation money obtained today and obtained last year from the Didier Drogba trade will be put to good use vows Rodriguez.
“A significant amount of general allocation, combined with what we already have, puts us in a really good position in the international market,” Rodriguez. “We’ve come to agreement with one center back. That contract is not signed, but we feel good about it and we believe it will go through. We continue to pursue another center back out of Europe – allocation money helps in that regard, again.
“Today’s moves also now give us the flexibility to now start to look at central midfield positions in the international market as well … When we’re able to announce our MLS free-agent signings, you’ll see some experience there, in one of those two players as well.”
With the Rapids expected to pick up Alejandro Bedoya with the top transfer allocation spot, the Fire wouls then move back into the top spot and can maneuver from there.
As far as in-state players in the SuperDraft, SIU-Edwardsville’s Justin Bilyeu was selected 18th overall by the New York Red Bulls and Wheaton College’s Marshall Hollingsworth was picked 41st overall by the Columbus Crew.
The third and fourth rounds will take place by conference call on Tuesday. The Fire have the 57th and 62nd overall picks.
THOUGHTS: The Fire set the tone by selecting Harrison when everyone and their brother-in-law expected them to pick Georgetown’s Jordan Yaro (who ultimately went 2nd to Philadelphia) given the club’s defensive needs. The deals came fast and furious and the Fire wound up with two defenders who could be instant starters at this point, a midfielder who impressed at the Combine, and some allocation cash to build the squad further and their draft day has been given rave reviews.
It bears repeating that Nelson Rodriguez is a general manager who is going to think outside the box in rebuilding the Fire. It started with hiring Veljko Paunovic and now we are starting to get an idea of how he’s going to fill the roster.
