Let's Take a Look at Miami's Options with the 9th Overall Pick in Tomorrow's SuperDraft
Tomorrow marks the last major MLS off-season event before the start of the season on February 26th - the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, where MLS clubs have the chance to select up-and-coming talent from colleges across the United States. In this year's draft, Miami holds the 9th overall pick in the 1st round of the draft and will be looking for young up-and-coming talent to strengthen the squad in 2022 and beyond.
First, let's take a look at Inter Miami's selections in the prior 2 SuperDrafts the club has selected in:
2021
1st Round, 10th Overall: Josh Penn (No Longer with the Club)
1st Round, 26th Overall: Aime Mabika (A likely starter in 2022)
2nd Round, 37th Overall: Joe Hafferty (Traded to Seattle in March 2021)
2020 (The Painful Daryl Dike draft)
1st Round, 1st Overall: Robbie Robinson (Starting LW in 2022)
1st Round, 3rd Overall: Dylan Nealis (Traded to Nashville in March 2021)
Now, onto the 2022 SuperDraft.
(Reminder, I'll only be discussing the 5 players I think may be available at 9 and should be considered by Miami.)
Ousseni Bouda, Forward, Sanford
Ousseni Bouda is a player who has fallen down most draft boards recently, from being projected as high as 2nd overall, and now could be available at 9th for Inter Miami to select. Bouda is a Generation Adidas player, a PAC-12 champion, and a PAC-12 Freshman of the Year in 2019. He primarily plays on the wing, and is a pacey, energetic player who can both create chances and score them. If Bouda falls to 9th, Inter Miami needs to greatly consider selecting him.
Esai Easley, Defender, Grand Canyon
Esai Easley is one of the best centerback options available in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and would immediately provide depth in a position that Miami suddenly doesn't have much depth in. While Miami would prefer for one of the even better centerback options to fall to them (namely Kipp Keller or Ahmed Longmire), Esai Easley is far from a bad option. Easley is a first team All-WAC player, Top Drawer Soccer 26th ranked player, and a WAC champion. Easley is a mobile defender who's not afraid to play the ball and carry it forward. Easley is unlikely to be able to step in and play right away, but he has a lot of promise and could be a top player with further development.
Farai Mutatu, Forward, Michigan State
Farai Mutatu is one of the most versatile attacking options available in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, and is a consensus top senior wide player available. Mutatu is an All-Big Ten Second Team player and Big Ten All-Freshman Team player. Mutatu is an attacking player who provides a ton of pace out wide, is capable of playing through the middle, and isn't afraid to take a shot - in 2019 he was 5th in the Big Ten with 48 shots. Mutatu is a player who would immediately upgrade Inter Miami's forward depth - especially on the wings - while providing a pacey, unafraid to shot option on the wings or through the middle.
Philip Quinton, Defender, Notre Dame
Philip Quinton is another great centerback option from the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and could provide immediate depth at a position that suddenly has no depth. Quinton was the team captain for the Fighting Irish in 2021, a starting centerback in the Top Drawer Soccer postseason best XI, and a member of the 2021 ACC All-Tournament Team. At 6'6, Quinton is a towering centerback who's comfortable moving the ball and would pair very well alongside another towering Inter Miami centerback - Mabika. Quinton and Mabika holding down the centerback spots would give Miami an instant upgrade in the air on both defensive and offensive set pieces - an area where Inter Miami has struggled greatly.
Thor Ulfarsson, Forward, Duke
Thor Ulfarsson is a player who, in my opinion, should be MUCH higher on team's draft boards, especially after scoring 15 times for Duke in the 2021 fall season. Ulfarsson is an ACC Offensive Player of the Year, a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist (Heisman trophy but for soccer), and an All-ACC First Team player. In 2021, Ulfarsson scored 15 goals and while also dishing up 16 assists and finished the year 2nd in the nation in goals and goals per game (0.94 goals/game). Ulfarsson would be the immediate best true #9 on the roster (let's be honest, Gonzalo isn't a true #9) and could step into the #9 role immediately - if Gonzalo is willing to play the #10 and feed a lethal scorer in Ulfarsson.
While I think any of these players could be a great pick by Chris Henderson and his staff, I can only choose one who I'd select at 9th overall for Miami. If I was in Chris Henderson's shoes, it comes down to 2 players for me - Philip Quinton or Thor Ulfarsson. However, I can only choose one.
My choice for Inter Miami to select at 9th Overall would be......
Thor Ulfarsson
You cannot deny the Icelanders talent and lethality in front of goal - a trait Inter Miami has been missing greatly for the past 2 seasons. A team with Thor Ulfarsson being fed by Gonzalo Higuain would be the envy of every other club in MLS, all while satisfying every Inter Miami's wish for more goals scored by the club in 2022. If Ulfarsson is not ready to step in as a starter immediately, he would be a dangerous option to have off the bench to bring in for Gonzalo throughout a grueling MLS season.
Remember to Tune in on January 11th at 3pm as Inter Miami make their official selection, live from DRV PNK Stadium, in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
Let me know - who would you take if you were in Chris Henderson's shoes?
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