I hate to sound biased, but the Columbus Crew had a great draft. Probably the best overall draft of any team. When you factor in the Homegrowns, it goes from a home run to a grand slam.
The Crew filled holes with every pick, drafting for quality and needs at the same time. Notre Dame’s Ryan Finley scores goals and lots of them. He is the best pure striker in the draft and will fit in nicely with Higuain and Arrieta. Some pundits thought the Crew reached for this pick, but I can’t wrap my head around this reasoning. Goals win games and Finley was hands down the best finisher in the draft. So what gives?
Denver defender Drew Beckie helps provide depth on the backline, a unit that was absolutely decimated by injuries last year. No more Miranda, James, or Balchan, so plenty of opportunities for the young and talented back.
UAB’s Reed Matte is another good pick, this time in the Supplemental Draft. He will help fill in as an extra defender, someone who could eventually push for playing time.
Marshall keeper Daniel Winthrow should leave camp as the team’s #3 keeper even though the Crew have brought in at least 1 trialist to challenge him for the roster spot.
High Point’s Shawn Sloan is the biggest wild card and probably faces the most uphill battle. Even if Duka is traded, the midfield is still an area of strength for the Crew. Sloan will have to show something special to stick with the team beyond preseason.
So the Crew chose 5 quality players in the draft. It is highly likely that four will stick so that is pretty good math overall.
